cake smash photography
Menifee Cake Smash Photographer
One of my most requested sessions are 1st birthday cake smash photos. As a cake smash photographer in Menifee, I specialize in capturing fun, messy, and memorable birthday moments. Any Baby or Child Session can include a cake smash, and a Mini Cake Smash option is also available. 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.
Many babies love ending the session with a splash, with optional (upon request) baby-in-the-tub shots to clean up after the cake smash.
STUDIO CATALOG: To view the options available in my studio, including outfits, props, and cake smash decor, take a look at my Baby Studio Catalog.
What to wear: Family, parent, and/or sibling photos can also be included in a Deluxe Baby session (Mini sessions are for baby only). For parents and siblings, I recommend simple, coordinated clothing. Great options include dresses, blouses, sweaters or button-down shirts paired with khakis or jeans. A monochromatic palette (everyone in the same color) of pale/muted colors, pastels, white, creams or neutrals (earth tones or grays), or light colors work especially well to create a pure and simple look that draws the focus to the baby. My home/studio is shoe-free (remove shoes at the door), but if parents or siblings would like to wear footwear in photos I recommend dress shoes, sandals, or matching converse.
Cake Recommendations:
Cake color: I recommend naked cakes or white cake with white frosting 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 let them know 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.
1st Birthday Cake Smash Examples
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. Here are some examples of first birthday cake smash sessions I’ve done:
