What’s soft, sweet, and full of squishy fun? A Squishmallows cake smash for a very special 1st birthday photoshoot!
We started with some family shots and classic first birthday baby portraits. Her momma requested soft pastels to match the whimsical Squishmallow vibe. When the cake came out, baby girl dug in and absolutely loved gobbling up her strawberry cake (can’t say I blame her — it looked delicious).
First birthdays only happen once, and capturing all that magic is something I absolutely love to do. If your little one has a favorite character or theme — let’s make it part of the celebration. Customizing sessions to reflect your baby’s unique personality is one of the best parts of creating these memories.
Happy birthday to this handsome baby boy! Enjoy some highlights from his fun and messy cake smash session!
We kicked things off with some classic portraits to capture his adorable personality before it was time to dig into the cake. Once the cake was in front of him, he dove right in. Happy 1st birthday, sweet boy! You smashed that cake like a pro!
This baby girl’s first 1st birthday photos were such a fun milestone to photograph! We started the session with some sweet portraits to capture her adorable personality. She wasted no time and was all about that cake—and was so sweet trying to offer some to everyone else! Enjoy some overdue highlights from her first birthday photoshoot!
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Want to know more about my cake smash sessions? I have photographed hundreds of babies and lots of cake smashes over the years. My style is clean and timeless so I like to keep the background more basic to draw the focus to the baby, but when you book your session, you’ll fill out a questionnaire to customize your session however you’d like.
A cake smash can be included in any of my Baby Sessions. I also offer a Mini Cake Smash session option. You will need to bring the cake (more info below). I have a variety of cake stands, cake toppers, banners, lots of baby girl dresses/outfits and bows/headbands/ crowns/flower crowns, and some baby boy outfit and hat options too. And of course you’re welcome to bring anything of your own, including any themed items you might be using for a special birthday party.
Cake Recommendations:
Cake color: I recommend white cake with white frosting or naked cakes for cake smashes. Otherwise pale or light frosting/cake is recommended (avoid dark colors, red, or neon).
Frosting: Whipped cream frosting tends to be easier for babies to swallow and is also easier to clean off, but regular buttercream is ok too. Remember to bring something for your baby to drink at the session as frosting usually makes babies thirsty! Also, feel free to bring little puffs, cheerios, or yogurt drops if your baby likes them. Some babies are hesitant to touch the cake, so putting a couple of those little treats on top usually helps to encourage them.
Fondant: For safety reasons, I recommend avoiding fondant, as it can be a choking hazard for babies.
Cake Size: This is completely up to personal preference, but I recommend a 2-3 layer 6 inch cake.
Cake Stands: I have several cake stands to choose from if you need one for your session (gold, silver, white, wood, wood slice, etc).
Grocery store bakeries usually offer affordable cakes for baby’s first birthday. Many will even give you a free little smash cake if you tell them it’s your baby’s 1st birthday.
Alternate options: Want to do something a little different? Cupcakes, donuts, cookies, pancakes, waffles, watermelon or other fruits are some cute options!
Specialty cake bakers: I can provide a list of some possible bakers to order a cake from if you need. Most require at least a couple of weeks in advance to reserve a cake, and their prices and policies vary.
I’m finally getting a chance to highlight this sweet boy’s first birthday photoshoot! His momma brought some vintage 1st birthday outfits and we started off with some family photos and wrapped up the session with a cake smash. I loved that he kept throwing hands up like he was cheering for himself—he clearly knew we were celebrating him!
It felt like just yesterday I was photographing this sweet baby boy’s newborn session, and again at six months—and before I knew it he and his parents were back to celebrate his first birthday with a cake smash session!
It’s always such an honor to document these milestones for families, and watching little ones grow from tiny newborns into curious, expressive toddlers is something I never take for granted. Enjoy some highlights from his 1st birthday photoshoot!
Happy Valentine’s Day! I had a blast doing a Valentine Themed 1st Birthday Photoshoot for this beautiful little February baby! Her mini cake smash session turned out so cute.
Considering Booking a Special Photoshoot for Your Little One?
Everyone has different needs and preferences when it comes to photos. That’s why I’m committed to providing a variety of options to make the process as smooth as possible. My website offers a user-friendly online booking system, and I’m also always happy to chat and answer questions via text, DM, email, or phone call before, during, and after booking. You can easily check availability, select your desired session, fill out a questionnaire to guide me in customizing your session, and secure your reservation in just a few clicks.
Click here when you’re ready to book or simply want to explore your booking options. I look forward to the opportunity to create a collection of beautiful photos of your little one!
This adorable baby boy’s cake smash was such a blast! I loved the simple setups his momma chose, and he was so full of personality which of course made his photos pop. As I often do with each first birthday photoshoot, we started with family and sibling photos, then changed up props and outfits, and ended with a sweet and simple cake smash!
Enjoy so many favorites from beautiful princess C’s 1st birthday cake smash! She was so expressive and adorable. From her big brown eyes, to curly dark hair, and the cutest smiles, she made my job so much fun in capturing lots of happy first birthday photos.
Handsome Baby A was full of smiles when he showed up for his first birthday cake smash photoshoot. He got a little sad during the cake smash segment, but it made for some adorable and real shots. Incorporating a cake smash into a first birthday photoshoot is a popular choice among parents. It not only celebrates the occasion but also provides an opportunity for little ones to explore the textures and tastes of cake for the first time. Despite a minor hiccup in mood, Baby A’s photos captured the significance of his first birthday milestone. First birthday photoshoots are a great reminder of how quickly time flies and how precious these early moments are. I hope A’s parents will cherish these photos forever!
Last month I had the opportunity to collaborate with several small business owners in Menifee for a fantastic 5-day giveaway hosted by Menifee Mom on instagram. I was thrilled when the winner of my giveaway reached out to arrange a cake smash session for her baby girl Penny’s 1st birthday! The icing on the cake (no pun intended) was that her big sister Scarlett has a birthday just a few days after hers, so they both joined in for a double birthday photoshoot!
