Cherishing Your Baby's First Birthday: Cake Smash Tips
- Sep 19, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: May 1
Celebrating Milestones with Cake Smashes
I absolutely cherish cake smashes! Celebrating your baby's first birthday goes beyond capturing cute photos; it's about celebrating the joy of their first year. While I thoroughly enjoy assisting in planning and designing this significant milestone for your baby, I've picked up several tips and tricks over the years. These will ensure you not only get stunning images to treasure but also have a memorable experience.
Preparing for the Cake Smash
Before Your Cake Smash
Give your baby a bowl of frosting or a cupcake a week ahead of time. Let them play and get messy! Between the ages of 10-12 months, babies are developing a strong sense of touch. If they experience the feel and texture of frosting and cake for the first time here in the studio, they may not like it. Many babies need time to adjust, so introducing them to this beforehand can make a big difference. When we show them how good and fun the cake and frosting are, they will surely be ready to touch and play more.
Let Your Baby Eat on the Floor
Your baby is probably used to sitting in a high chair to eat. It may seem strange when we set them on the floor. They might not know what to do. Practice different areas to eat before your session so they understand it’s okay to eat on the floor.
Try on Outfits Ahead of Time
Make sure their outfit fits well. Can they sit comfortably, crawl, walk, and stand in it? Does the headpiece fit? Most babies love to pull off headbands or hats. Practice putting on headpieces weeks before your session.
Bring Your Cake to Room Temperature
Cold cakes are firm and not easy to smash. We want that soft, creamy texture! If your cake is soft, they will easily smash into it. Don’t forget to pack your baby's favorite snacks—puffs, yogurt dips, Cheerios. Sometimes, we have to stick their favorite snack in the cake to make it more appealing.
During the Cake Smash
Show Them How to Enjoy the Cake
During your session, we will get mom or dad to show them how to eat frosting. Let them have a taste! Showing them how to lick frosting off your fingers makes them feel safe because they trust you the most. This will help them feel more at ease.
Be Patient!
Most babies need some time to adjust. At 12 months, they become more observant and curious, often giving us serious expressions. This is normal! While they might be very smiley at home, adapting to a new environment can be challenging for some. We will do our best to encourage those smiles. We've learned a few tricks to help bring out their smiles for us.
If Your Baby is a Walker or a Speedy Crawler...
Throughout your session, your role will consistently involve taking care of the baby. I’ll need your assistance throughout the entire session. If your baby is walking or crawling quickly, be ready to get a bit messy! When they move out of the set, I’ll ask you to promptly place them back in front of me to ensure the lighting is perfect for capturing those images. Your teamwork is greatly appreciated!
Follow Your Photographer's Lead
Your photographer follows a workflow to ensure all the standard shots are captured. We will assist in reading your baby’s cues when introducing the cake. We'll adjust to whatever mood your little one is in. Stay relaxed and enjoy!
Soak Up the Experience
Take a moment to pause, freeze, and savor the experience of your baby's milestone! Observe their hands digging into the cake, their facial expressions, the giggles, the serious looks, the uncertain vibes, and the joy when the sugar kicks in. It truly is magical to witness this moment. We are celebrating your baby's first birthday, their first journey around the sun.
We can't wait to celebrate their 1st with us!
Comments