First Birthday Cake Smash Inspiration

If you follow me on Facebook or Instagram, you know that I love first birthday cake smash photos.  Many parents choose to celebrate baby’s one year milestone photos with a birthday cake.

When I first published this post, parents would bring the cake to the studio themselves. Since then, I’ve made planning a cake smash first birthday photoshoot even easier by partnering with a local bakery to provide beautiful, custom cakes. I work with parents to design a cake that fits their vision.

She is the best Nashville cake smash photographer around. We couldn’t be happier with our pictures and our son had a blast!

~Brooke N., Nashville, TN

Each and every cake smash is unique and unpredictable.  Every baby reacts differently which keeps things fun for me.  Many parents come to a session wanting a specific photo or expecting their baby to just sit and smile with the cake.  That sitting and smiling photo doesn’t always happen, but what does is even better.

Smash Cake Pictures

I photograph “simple cake smashes”.  What is a simple cake smash?  Well, it’s just baby and a cake.  I don’t include busy backdrops, banners, balloons, etc.  Just like all of my other milestone photos, I want the focus to be on baby and not a busy background. After photographing hundred of babies over the years, I have learned that smash cake pictures go best when we keep things simple.

You can add personality and creativity to your cake smash with a unique birthday cake.  Themes are fun to include in a simple cake smash. My partner smash cake bakery is The Rolling Pin. All of the cakes featured below were made by The Rolling Pin.  She takes an idea and runs.  Her cakes are always better than I could imagine.

Learn more about our full cake smash experience in our First Birthday Photoshoot Ultimate Guide.

Teddy Bear Cake

Is there anything cuter than a teddy bear cake for a little boy named Teddy?

First Trip Around the Sun

I love the color and cheerfulness that this cake added to Amara’s first birthday photoshoot.

Circus Smash Cake

MacArthur’s first birthday was circus themed, so his mommy brought in this AWE-dorable cake.  Little man didn’t use his hands at all, he dug in with his face!  It totally made my day.

Little Prince 1st Birthday

Little prince is a popular them for first birthday parties.

Hole in O-N-E

Tatum’s golf themed smash cake was too cute! I love the subtle pastel colors of the frosting.

Unicorn Smash Cake

Helena’s birthday was unicorn themed, so her mommy chose a unicorn cake.  We showed it off with a girly cake stand, and an adorable outfit from Sew Whimsey.  Helena was so playful.  She had been sticking her tongue out all morning long, and she made sure to do it for her cake smash photos too.

Butterfly Garden Smash Cake

Floral cakes are some of our most requested cakes. We can customize these cakes with flowers, frosting colors, gold flakes, and other embellishments.

Cookie Smash Cake

Guess what Owen’s mommy craved when she was pregnant with him?  You guessed it…. chocolate chip cookies!  So what better cake than a cookie smash cake. I think the craving rubbed off, because Owen loved his cake!  He was another little one that when mouth first.  I’m telling you, it’s the best.  Not many babies do it, but when they do, it makes me squeal!  This cake was so cute, and I love how unique it is.  Owen couldn’t really get messy with it since the frosting was in the layers, but when he knocked the cake stand over, he broke into the cookie layers.  Big sis even joined in at the end.

Fall Themed Birthday Cake

Fall colors and flowers are so pretty. We designed this cake with this sweet dress as inspiration.

Halloween Themed Cake Smash

Ready to Book Your Nashville Cake Smash Photographer?

Are you ready to book your baby’s first birthday cake smash? I offer several different packages for Baby Milestone Photos.  I supply the outfit, cake, and cake stand.  All you have to bring is your baby! If your baby is turning one soon, I’d love to chat with you!