What is a Cake Smash Session?

A cake smash session is typically a celebration of your child’s first birthday. These milestone sessions are such a fun way to capture their little personality and share photos with friends and family. 

These sessions can take place a month or so before their birthday and are a great addition to add to their party invitation. If you would like to include your child’s photo in the card, check out this post about matching the birthday theme! Although some of my clients like to book their session on or closer to their child’s actual birthday. 

Cake Smash Session Planning

Milestone/Cake smash sessions are always child-led meaning if you’re little one needs a break or time to warm up, we will go at the child’s pace. I typically find that these milestone sessions last about an hour (formal and cake smash portraits). 

I like to think of a cake smash session as messy play. It’s always so interesting to see how each child reacts, a lot of the time this is a child’s first experience with sugary icing! 

I always recommend planning for two to three outfits. The first one-two will be for the photos you would like to frame in your home, add to their album, or share with grandparents. The last outfit can be a cute and fun option that is okay to get a little dirty. Ask me what’s available in the client closet too! I’ve had clients wear birthday party-themed items for the cake smash, I loved the jean bib overalls, and the bibs which were an easy Amazon purchase. There are no wrong choices for this portion. Feel free to have fun and be creative!

What to expect at a cake smash session:

1. Once you arrive, we’ll get your little one dressed for their formal portraits with a simple white background. 
2. Then we’ll add in some props and let them play a bit. I love to capture the wonder of them playing and interacting with toys or props. Prior to your session, I send a questionnaire to help guide what if any items you’re interested in including. 
3. If you have a secondary outfit, we can change them now if you’d like.
4. We’ll change them one final time into their cake smash outfit then let them play and get messy. I have wipes on hand to clean up baby and I handle the rest of the clean-up for you.

Depending on the number of outfits you would like, the session typically lasts 50-70 minutes. You can expect 15-20 formal/prop portraits and 10-15 cake smash portraits. Interested in planning this type of session? Connect with me today to plan your little one’s milestone by filling out the contact form!