Cake smash portraits are the thing to do these days to commemorate a first birthday, and it’s easy to see why it’s so popular. There is nothing quite so adorable as a baby with a gorgeously decorated tiny cake in front of her. And nothing as delightful as seeing it smashed and tasted! 

This little one had an especially celebratory session. She was a preemie and didn’t get professional photos when she was born. So these cake smash portraits were a victorious combination of both first birthday and first professional portraits. It was exciting to be a part of this celebration. 

AN ARTFUL SET DECORATION

Mom and dad are both artists, so they mentioned upfront that they were particular about the session and decor. As a family photographer, I am very comfortable with (and more than happy) assisting groups with their outfits and props. But when the clients already have a specific idea in mind, I’m all the more happy to help them make that vision a reality! 

Strawberry shortcake was the theme, and this set did not disappoint. The cake was covered with a breathtaking white and pink swirl (which was no doubt satisfying to stick those little baby fingers into). They hung a fun cloth-strip banner which gave a country homestyle feel to the set, especially when in combination with her cute denim blue dress. The light-colored unfinished wood props added to the comfortable presentation, and the strawberries were a lovely (and tasty) touch. Clearly, this little one thought so. This was her favorite part of the set — maybe even more so than the actual cake. To finish off the set decor, we added some gingham patterned cloths and babies breath. What a nice little wonderland for her to explore!

THE BEST OF ALL WORLDS

I typically shoot in various locations around my indoor/outdoor studio, giving my clients many options and different styles of photos to choose from. It’s a well-rounded approach that offers a variety of interactions, moods, and facial expressions. For this session, we captured some outdoor family portraits first. Their simple denim and white outfits made those eyes and sweet smiles just pop against the green of the trees. Inside the house, we got a few more lovely moments, thanks to this family’s cozy cuddles and the purely perfect light from the window.

After these wonderful (cake-free) photos, we headed to the strawberry set for the “main event” cake smash portraits. She performed her smashing duties like a champ and seemed quite content doing so. It was an honor to commemorate this little lady’s first year!