Cake smash sessions are one of my favorite ways to celebrate a baby’s first birthday. When my boys (now 19 and 16) were little, cake smash photography was just becoming a “thing.” My oldest son’s cake smash was taken at Glamour Shots—complete with selective coloring on his eyes and the frosting. My, how things have changed!
As a Nashville baby photographer, I’ve photographed countless smash cakes over the years. Early on, I styled them with balloons, banners, and paper poofs in every color. I’d spend hours perfecting the backdrop—only for baby to cry the whole session. One day, I decided to strip away all the busyness, and everything clicked. I discovered that simple cake smashes are often the most successful. They keep the focus on baby, feel less overwhelming, and result in timeless photos that never go out of style.
Why I Include Cakes in Every Smash Session
One of the best choices I made for my cake smash sessions was partnering with a local bakery. Parents love that everything is taken care of—no ordering, transporting, or last-minute errands. I know the cakes will arrive in the right size, style, and colors, and they’re always baby-friendly and beautiful on camera. It’s a win-win that makes the whole experience easier for parents and more polished for photos.
Top 5 Smash Cake Ideas
Here are my five favorite smash cake styles:
1. Simple Naked Cake
The classic naked cake will always have my heart. Naked cakes can be customized with different cake stands and toppers. Many babies prefer the naked frosting style because it is not as messy or sticky
2. Cake with Florals
Florals are one of my favorite ways to add a soft, feminine touch to a baby girl’s cake smash. Florals in soft tones can instantly customize a cake smash. Parents often choose flowers that match their baby’s personality, the season, or a specific style like boho or whimsical—making the cake feel beautifully customized
3. Rippled Frosting with Greenery
Rippled buttercream has a textured, hand-crafted look that feels organic. Add a sprig of greenery, and you’ve got a cake that feels fresh, natural, and picture-perfect.
4. Vintage Piping
This style has been making a big comeback, and I love how playful yet elegant it looks in photos. Decorative piping in soft, pastel colors or even timeless white brings a nostalgic, almost storybook feel to a first birthday cake.
5. Floral Piping
Unlike fresh florals, piped flowers are crafted from buttercream and give cakes a custom, whimsical look. They add an artistic, textured detail to any cake smash.
Why Simple Cakes Work Best
While themed or elaborate cake smashes can be fun, I’ve learned that simple designs photograph best. A baby covered in frosting and giggles is the true star of the session—not the background or props. Simple cake smashes keep the focus on baby and in return are less overwhelming and overstimulating for babies.
Simple Timeless Style
For my simple, timeless style I use:
- Seamless white paper backdrops (classic, clean, and easy to replace once the cake gets messy).
- A cake stand with an option for toppers.
- A Client Closet with outfits in muted, coordinating colors that photograph beautifully.
This approach has become my signature. Parents appreciate that the focus stays on their baby — and the resulting images blend seamlessly with the rest of their family’s portraits.
Why Cake Smashes Belong in Your Studio
If you’ve never offered cake smashes before, or if you’ve thought giving cake smashes a chance, here are a few reasons to consider offering them:
- They’re an easy way to upsell milestone sessions for your newborn clients.
- They create share-worthy content that parents love to post online.
- They offer a repeatable, efficient setup that doesn’t require a lot of extra gear.
- They give you a chance to create a signature style that makes your work instantly recognizable.
- Partnerships with bakeries or other local businesses can open new doors for networking and referrals.
More Cake Inspiration
If you’re planning a first birthday celebration or cake smash session, I put together a blog post with 25 Smash Cake Ideas for Baby’s First Birthday. It’s full of inspiration for first birthday celebrations. You can read it here: 25 Cake Ideas for 1st Birthday Photos
Also, be sure and attend The Reset Conference to hear Shannon’s class on Capturing the Milestones of a Baby’s First Year. It’s one you don’t want to miss!
Shannon Payne is a Nashville-based newborn, baby, and senior photographer with 15 years of experience creating timeless portraits for families. Known for her clean, simple style and luxury client experience, Shannon specializes in capturing milestones from a baby’s first days through their first year — with cake smash sessions as a signature offering. She loves sharing her knowledge with other photographers and is honored to return as a speaker at the Reset Conference. Learn more at Shannon Payne Photography.
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