1 year old boy at his cake smash photo shoot. He sits in front of blue and white balloons and happy birthday banner. His foot is on the cake and he holds some in his hand.

Is your little one’s first birthday approaching?

If so, you’re probably considering how to mark the most special birthday and you’ve also probably considered a cake-smash portrait session to celebrate!

It’s one of my most popular session types and for good reason - they’re so much fun – and messy!!

But how do you prepare your baby—and yourself—for this messy, adorable, and oh-so-memorable event? Grab a cuppa, and let’s dive into some tips to make your baby’s cake smash a smashing success!

Choose the right cake

First and foremost, the cake! Opt for a cake that’s not just visually appealing but also baby-friendly. Soft, moist sponge cakes are easier for little hands to smash. Avoid hard icing or decorations that could be a choking hazard. Some parents even go for a healthy cake option made from baby-friendly ingredients like bananas or sweet potatoes. TOP TIP: avoid chocolate cake and instead opt for vanilla sponge as chocolate cake has a habit of looking like something less pleasant in your images!
If you want to avoid a lot of iceing, naked cakes are absolutely perfect and although any size works, really you only need a 6” cake, which should save you some money if you’re getting it made specially.

Pick the perfect outfit

This is a photo-op you’ll cherish forever, so make sure your baby looks the part. Many parents opt for a cute but simple outfit like a onesie or a tutu. Remember, it’s going to get messy, so choose something that you don’t mind getting covered in cake. Also, make sure it’s comfortable for your baby to move around in.
I also offer photos before the smashing begins so feel free to bring along two outfits, one to keep clean and one to get messy!

Set the stage

When you book your cake smash we’ll discuss any ideas you have when it comes to themes and colours for the set up. You can have a look through themes I’ve done before or we can design something new.

Do a test run

If your baby has never tasted cake before, it might be a good idea to do a little test run a few days before the event. Let them try a small piece of cake or even just the frosting. This will help you gauge their reaction and make any necessary adjustments to the cake or schedule.
If your little one hasn’t done much messy play before they may be a bit confused and overwhelmed when being encouraged to get dirty. Consider trying some messy play at home or at a baby class on the run up to the cake smash so that it isn’t all brand new to them.

1 year old girl sits, splashing in a tin bath. It is her cake smash photo shoot. There are pink balloons and flowers behind her.

Splish, splash, taking a bath

All my cake smashes include optional ‘splash’ photos in a little tin bath. Not only are these incredibly cute, it’s a great way to clean them off afterwards! I do have bubble bath here but feel free to bring your own if you’d prefer.
This portion of the photo shoot is completely optional - if you don’t want them included that’s absolutely fine.

Keep essentials handy

Be prepared for a quick cleanup once the cake smashing and splashing is done. Keep wet wipes, a change of clothes, and a towel nearby. Forget something? Don’t worry - I have wipes, towels and vests for you to use in an emergency.

Be patient and go with the flow

Every baby reacts differently to a cake smash. Some dive right in, while others might be a bit hesitant. That’s perfectly okay! The most important thing is to let your baby explore and have fun at their own pace. Don’t rush or force it; the best photos often come from genuine, unscripted moments.

Wooden spoons, music, avoid nap time.