How to Plan the Perfect Smash Cake Photoshoot for Your Baby's First Birthday

A smash cake photoshoot is a delightful and messy photoshoot where your little one gets to enjoy their first taste of cake in a fun and joyful photoshoot.

This photoshoot captures the joy and excitement of your baby as they dig into a cake. It’s a great way to celebrate this milestone and create lasting memories.

Cake smash sessions are typically done prior to baby's first birthday. I always recommend booking around 10-11 months of age for best results. It's because around their first birthday is when most babies learn to walk. And when they mastered this newly learnt skill they love to practice it! Which is super cute, however often distract them from what the photoshoot is about, smashing cakes! Walking babies rarely want to sit and play with the cake making it hard to capture those super cute and sweet images you often see in galleries. It can also be stressful for both the parents as well as baby when parent have to keep putting baby back onto the scene to get the pictures.

During a smash cake photoshoot, we will capture candid shots of your baby as they explore, play, and eat their cake. The focus is on capturing genuine moments of happiness and messiness, resulting in adorable and heartwarming photos that you can treasure forever.

Have a look at our little behind the scene video below from one our cake smash sessions to see what they look like:

Planning a smash cake photoshoot requires careful consideration and attention to detail. Here are some essential tips to hep you prepare.

When selecting the perfect smash cake, there are a few factors to consider. First, think about the size of the cake. A small cake will be easier for your little one to dive into and make a mess, while a larger cake provides more surface area for those adorable cake-smashing moments.

Next, consider the design and colours of the cake. We recommend choosing a cake that matches the theme or colour scheme of your photoshoot. You could opt for a simple naked cake with a few decorative elements or go for a more elaborate fondant cake with intricate details. Just make sure the design and colours of the cake complement the overall aesthetic of the photoshoot and don't steal the show. After all the the shoot is about your baby!

Choosing the right outfit for your little one is an important aspect of planning a smash cake photoshoot. You want your baby to be comfortable and able to move freely while still looking adorable. Opt for an outfit that matches the theme or colour scheme of the photoshoot.

You can also accessorize your little one’s outfit with a headband, bow, or suspenders to add an extra touch of cuteness. Just make sure any accessories are safe and comfortable for your baby to wear.

During the session allow your baby to explore and interact with the cake naturally, capturing their genuine reactions and expressions. Encourage them to touch, taste, and play with the cake.

Some babies need a little more encouraging to start playing with the cake, while other dive straight in.

Don't be alarmed if your baby is a little unsure of eating the cake, after all we don't feed them sugary treats in the first year, so it's something new and they may be a little reluctant to try first.

A cake smash photoshoot is a unique and joyful way to celebrate your little one’s birthday that you can cherish for years. It's fun, it's cute and memorable. One photoshoot you will not regret booking.

We hope you enjoyed reading our helpful tips.

HelloBABY Photography