A Winter "ONEderland" cake smash in Loudoun County, Virginia

I just love cake smash sessions. There is nothing more fun than capturing a one year old while they experience the sweet goodness of a birthday cake for the first time. All the sugar, and all the textures. It’s such a fun time to remember.

I would say a good 50+% of my work (outside of Fall rush) are cake smash sessions. Katie and I love working with clients to create the perfect theme or backdrop for their session. Themes and backdrops are typically client-led. They send us examples of what they like, what they are hoping for, and we bring their visions to life!

This smash was no exception. Mama wanted a grey backdrop with pink accents and a Winter ONEderland theme. Queue the snowflakes!

Mama chose my most popular package, the Cake smash + Mini Session. As you know, these sessions include pictures of the birthday babe PRIOR to the cake smash. It allows you to have some “non-messy” photos, or, what I choose to call, “traditional one year portraits”.

She was probably the happiest baby I have ever photographed. She smiled and LAUGHED the whole entire time. I just had the best time with her! And her dress!! Adorable!

Lucky for us, it turned out she loves cake!

J, Thank you so much for trusting me with your cake smash photos. She is such a doll baby. I know I said this a million times, but she was such a blessing to have in my studio! Muah!

Cake - Wegmans

Ice Cream "Cake" Smash!

Earlier this year, for my 40th birthday, I requested some new “themes” for cake smash sessions. I really wanted to stretch myself creatively, and see some new ideas come to fruition. This sweet girl’s mama emailed me and asked if she could do an “Ice Cream” themed smash. I was immediately excited. Mainly because she wanted to use real ice cream. I’m loving the new trend of using other foods other than cake to celebrate a little one’s 1st birthday.

As part of the ad, folks were able to add the mini session free of charge and also received a free print of my most favorite part of the smash….the Cake Smash Collage…(see below).

First we started with her mini session. She immediately smiled and was super excited to be my model.

I always love capturing milestones during the mini session. Usually at this point, the baby is either standing supported or some are even walking! Pictures with balloons are typically a most requested shot.

Then came the “Cake” smash. Mom and I had a blast making up her sundae. Since it’s ice cream, we had to make it after Addison’s mini session, else we would be dealing with ice cream soup. We had so much fun with all the sprinkles, whipped cream, cherry and cookies! We then added more sprinkles to the floor for some added color and texture.

My amazing assistant Katie made the two banners that I requested. It was exactly what I asked for. That girl knows her way around the Cricut machine! I wanted something to show her “theme” without being “too much”. I personally love more understated images where the baby is the primary focus….so this set was right up my alley. Lucky for me, my client has similar preferences.

One of the sweetest things about this smash was the reasoning behind it. Addison was allergic to dairy when she was born…and mama went through struggles with feedings. She eventually grew out of her allergy, so mama thought a great celebration would be ice cream vs. cake. I loved the idea!

That Face…..That Mess!!

And lastly….my favorite finale for cake smashes is the Cake Smash collage. I offer these to my clients and they are always a big hit. I print that as a 12x12 on matboard so they are a thicker print. You can frame them, or some folks stand them up for decoration at the first birthday party. (Think cake table display). They always turn out so cute and are the perfect keepsake for your 1st birthday.

Happy birthday Addison!! I hope you had a wonderful 1st birthday party!!