Wondering when to book a cake smash session? Learn the best time to schedule your baby’s first birthday photos and what to expect during a cake smash session.
One of the most common questions I get from parents is:
“When should I book my baby’s cake smash session?”
Most people are surprised when I tell them the answer is usually before their baby’s first birthday.
Many parents assume cake smash photos happen on the birthday itself, but in reality, most families schedule their session several weeks beforehand. This allows enough time for editing and ensures you have your images ready to share for birthday invitations, party decorations, social media announcements, or simply to enjoy on your baby’s actual birthday.
I typically recommend reaching out a couple of months before your baby’s first birthday, especially if you’re hoping for a specific theme, color palette, or date.
Why Schedule Before Baby Turns One?
The biggest reason is simple: you want the photos back before the birthday celebration.
Many families use their cake smash images for:
- Birthday invitations
- Party decorations
- Welcome signs
- Photo displays
- Social media announcements
- Keepsake albums
Scheduling ahead gives us plenty of time to plan and create something special.
Does Baby Need To Be Exactly One?
Not at all.
In fact, many babies are photographed at 10 or 11 months old for their cake smash session.
Your baby doesn’t know what the calendar says. They’re not checking to make sure it’s their exact birthday. 😉
The goal is to celebrate this exciting milestone and capture your baby’s personality during this season of life.
What If My Baby Isn’t Walking Yet?
That’s completely normal.
Every baby develops at their own pace.
Some babies are running circles around everyone by their first birthday.
Others are perfectly happy sitting and observing the world around them.
I’ve photographed both.
A successful cake smash session has nothing to do with whether your baby is crawling, standing, walking, or somewhere in between.
My job is to work with the baby I have in front of me and create images that reflect who they are right now.
What If My Baby Doesn’t Like Cake?
This is another question I hear all the time.
Believe it or not, not every baby loves cake.
Some dive right in.
Some poke it cautiously with one finger.
Some spend more time playing with the icing than eating it.
And some want absolutely nothing to do with it.
That’s okay.
The session isn’t really about how much cake they eat.
It’s about documenting their reactions, expressions, curiosity, and personality.
Some of my favorite cake smash galleries have come from babies who barely touched the cake.
Cake Smashes Are About More Than Cake
While the cake is certainly fun, these sessions are really about celebrating a major milestone.
Your baby has changed so much in the first year.
They’ve gone from a sleepy newborn to a little person with likes, dislikes, expressions, and a personality all their own.
A cake smash session is a wonderful way to document who they are at this stage before they continue growing and changing.
Because trust me—they don’t stay little very long.
My Favorite Part
One of my favorite things about cake smash sessions is that no two babies are alike.
I’ve had babies politely nibble their cake.
I’ve had babies completely destroy their cake in under thirty seconds.
I’ve had babies crawl away from it and become fascinated with a single balloon instead.
And honestly, that’s what makes these sessions so much fun.
You never quite know what you’re going to get, and that’s part of the magic.
Let’s Celebrate
If your baby’s first birthday is coming up, now is the perfect time to start planning.
Whether you have a specific vision in mind or need help designing something from scratch, we’ll create a session that celebrates your little one’s first trip around the sun in a way that feels uniquely them.
Because before you know it, you’ll be planning their second birthday and wondering where the time went.
Wondering when to book a cake smash session? Learn the best time to schedule your baby’s first birthday photos and what to expect during a cake smash session. One of the most common questions I get from parents is: “When should I book my baby’s cake smash session?” Most people are surprised when I tell […]
VIEW The Gallery
ng
Wondering when to book a cake smash session? Learn the best time to schedule your baby’s first birthday photos and what to expect during a cake smash session. One of the most common questions I get from parents is: “When should I book my baby’s cake smash session?” Most people are surprised when I tell […]
Discover why professional newborn photography is an investment in memories, preserving your baby’s first days and creating heirloom images your family will treasure forever. As a newborn photographer, I’m obviously a little biased when it comes to newborn photos. But the truth is, I don’t believe professional newborn photography is valuable because of the photographs […]
VIEW The Gallery
ng
Discover why professional newborn photography is an investment in memories, preserving your baby’s first days and creating heirloom images your family will treasure forever. As a newborn photographer, I’m obviously a little biased when it comes to newborn photos. But the truth is, I don’t believe professional newborn photography is valuable because of the photographs […]
Preparing for newborn photos? Learn simple tips for feeding, clothing, sibling participation, and how to create a stress-free newborn photography experience. Simple tips to help your session go as smoothly as possible. Bringing home a new baby is exciting, emotional, and often a little overwhelming. Between feedings, diaper changes, and adjusting to life with a […]
VIEW The Gallery
ng
Preparing for newborn photos? Learn simple tips for feeding, clothing, sibling participation, and how to create a stress-free newborn photography experience. Simple tips to help your session go as smoothly as possible. Bringing home a new baby is exciting, emotional, and often a little overwhelming. Between feedings, diaper changes, and adjusting to life with a […]
Many new moms want to stay behind the camera. Discover why being in your newborn photos may become one of the best decisions you ever make. Because one day these photographs won’t be for you. One of the most common things I hear from new moms is: “Just photograph the baby.” Sometimes it’s because mom […]
VIEW The Gallery
ng
Many new moms want to stay behind the camera. Discover why being in your newborn photos may become one of the best decisions you ever make. Because one day these photographs won’t be for you. One of the most common things I hear from new moms is: “Just photograph the baby.” Sometimes it’s because mom […]
Wondering what to bring to your newborn session? Learn what your photographer provides, what essentials to pack, and how to prepare for a stress-free experience. Good news—you probably need less than you think. As a new parent, it can feel like you’re packing for a week-long vacation every time you leave the house. Diapers. Wipes. […]
VIEW The Gallery
ng
Wondering what to bring to your newborn session? Learn what your photographer provides, what essentials to pack, and how to prepare for a stress-free experience. Good news—you probably need less than you think. As a new parent, it can feel like you’re packing for a week-long vacation every time you leave the house. Diapers. Wipes. […]
Learn how newborn photography is safely performed, why spotters and parents are often just outside the frame, and why your baby’s comfort always comes first. Why your baby’s safety will always be my number one priority. As a parent, there is nothing more important than your baby’s safety. And as a newborn photographer, there is […]
VIEW The Gallery
ng
Learn how newborn photography is safely performed, why spotters and parents are often just outside the frame, and why your baby’s comfort always comes first. Why your baby’s safety will always be my number one priority. As a parent, there is nothing more important than your baby’s safety. And as a newborn photographer, there is […]
Wondering what to bring to your maternity photos? Discover meaningful items that can add a personal touch to your maternity session. Simple ways to make your maternity photos even more meaningful. Once you’ve scheduled your maternity session, one of the next questions that often comes up is: “Should I bring anything with me?” The answer […]
VIEW The Gallery
ng
Wondering what to bring to your maternity photos? Discover meaningful items that can add a personal touch to your maternity session. Simple ways to make your maternity photos even more meaningful. Once you’ve scheduled your maternity session, one of the next questions that often comes up is: “Should I bring anything with me?” The answer […]
Wondering if your dog can join your maternity photos? Learn why including your furry family member can make your maternity session even more meaningful. Including your first baby in the memories. One of my favorite questions to hear from expecting parents is: “Can we bring our dog to our maternity session?” My answer is almost […]
VIEW The Gallery
ng
Wondering if your dog can join your maternity photos? Learn why including your furry family member can make your maternity session even more meaningful. Including your first baby in the memories. One of my favorite questions to hear from expecting parents is: “Can we bring our dog to our maternity session?” My answer is almost […]
Worried about rain on the day of your maternity photos? Learn what happens if the weather doesn’t cooperate and how your session can still be beautiful. Don’t worry—we always have a plan. One of the most common questions I receive after a maternity session is booked is: “What happens if it rains?” If you’ve been […]
VIEW The Gallery
ng
Worried about rain on the day of your maternity photos? Learn what happens if the weather doesn’t cooperate and how your session can still be beautiful. Don’t worry—we always have a plan. One of the most common questions I receive after a maternity session is booked is: “What happens if it rains?” If you’ve been […]
Many expecting moms worry they don’t feel beautiful enough for maternity photos. Here’s why you should take the photos anyway and why you’ll never regret it. If you’re pregnant and considering maternity photos, there’s a good chance you’ve had a thought that sounds something like this: “I want maternity photos… but I just don’t feel […]
VIEW The Gallery
ng
Many expecting moms worry they don’t feel beautiful enough for maternity photos. Here’s why you should take the photos anyway and why you’ll never regret it. If you’re pregnant and considering maternity photos, there’s a good chance you’ve had a thought that sounds something like this: “I want maternity photos… but I just don’t feel […]
