Brisbane 1st Birthday / Cake Smash Photographer

A child's first birthday is a significant milestone that deserves to be celebrated in a big way!

A child's first birthday is a significant milestone that deserves to be celebrated in a big way!

These sessions are
incredibly fun!

It's one of those rare occasions where you'll actively encourage your child to have lots of delicious cake and create as much mess as they want.

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I love capturing the joy of a one-year-old and the happiness of their parents in a cake smash photo shoot! If you've already booked a photo session, I hope you're as excited as I am. If you haven't, I hope this page covers any questions you may have.

When is the ideal time to book a cake smash session?

To ensure your images are ready for birthday celebrations, social media sharing, invitations, or home displays, it's best to schedule the session 4-6 weeks before their birthday. This timeframe allows enough time for ordering and editing. If weekends are your only available time, please reach out well in advance. Consider setting a reminder in your calendar when your child is around 8-9 months old to contact me and secure your session!

Jacaranda birthday sessions are offered in October.

To secure your spot, reach out to me in early July if your little one celebrates their birthday around that time.

How long does a session last?

A session typically lasts up to one hour, which is the ideal duration for the cooperation of a one-year-old baby. We start the session with a couple of family shots, individual of the baby, followed by the cake smash.

What happens during a cake smash session?

There are typically two stages.

The first stage is the clean phase!

I usually start with family shots, adorable baby shots and some non-cake smash photos with the cake (if possible!). After the cake smash, your one-year-old might be a bit tired and messy, making family photos challenging.

The second stage is the messy phase!

We change the baby's outfit, introduce the cake, and then step back to let the magic happen. It's completely normal for little hands and feet to dive into the cake. If the cake is iced with buttercream, expect a delightful chaos as babies thoroughly enjoy the playtime. I recommend bringing water bottles and wipes to assist in cleaning your child before heading home.

Do you supply the cake?

Yes, I can bring a semi-naked cake with white icing just perfect for smashing! It's a lovely cake made specifically for this purpose, making it an excellent fit for the tent theme I'm offering. At the end of the session, whatever your child doesn't smash, you get to take home.

Of course, you're more than welcome to bring your own cake, especially if you want something fancier. Just keep these tips in mind please:

Choose a buttercream icing; fondant cakes don't smash as well.
Consider getting a smash cake from a professional bakery for the best texture and taste. While homemade cakes can be lovely, they sometimes turn out quite dry, and the icing tends to be hard. For our session, it's best to go for a simple cake with soft, fluffy icing.
For the size, a 6-inch cake with 2-3 layers works best, ensuring it fits comfortably between your baby's legs.
Check that the cardboard base isn't larger than the cake itself.
Allow the cake to sit out for a few hours before the session; a cold, hard cake isn't as baby-friendly.
And a little reminder: no chocolate cake or red icing – just to keep things photo-friendly!

Do you supply the cake?

Of course, you're more than welcome to bring your own cake, especially if you want something fancier. Just keep these tips in mind please:

Choose a buttercream icing; fondant cakes don't smash as well.
Consider getting a smash cake from a professional bakery for the best texture and taste. While homemade cakes can be lovely, they sometimes turn out quite dry, and the icing tends to be hard. For our session, it's best to go for a simple cake with soft, fluffy icing.
For the size, a 6-inch cake with 2-3 layers works best, ensuring it fits comfortably between your baby's legs.
Check that the cardboard base isn't larger than the cake itself.
Allow the cake to sit out for a few hours before the session; a cold, hard cake isn't as baby-friendly.
And a little reminder: no chocolate cake or red icing – just to keep things photo-friendly!

What is included in the birthday setup?

My small boho tent is a unique prop that many of my clients adore! I also have “one" signs and pretty cake stands. You'll also find banners and wooden cake toppers in the available options. If you're bringing your own cake stand, I suggest choosing shorter ones to minimize the risk of the cake falling over.

What to wear?

Check out this page for ideas on what to wear for family photos. For the cake smash, pick an outfit that goes well with the theme. For my neutral setup with a white cake, light or earthy colours look good. You can go for a onesie, tutu, romper, or just a diaper cover. If you're using colourful cakes, choose an outfit that matches the colours. It's also a good idea to bring a spare outfit for the baby in case of any unexpected mess. Bare feet often look great with most outfits. I also offer outfits for both boys and girls that you are welcome to use.

Can I have more setups?

You can upgrade any birthday/Cake Smash session with more setups. I’m offering two extra setups at the moment.

Hot Air Balloons Setup

This is a cute addition to your session. I usually do it right before the cake smash.

Fruit Bath Setup

If you want something a little different, a fruit bath offers a unique way to celebrate your little one's first birthday. You can include this additional setup in your session. We'll extend your session a bit to include it after the cake smash. It's fun to splash around after the smash! With oranges, lemons, or strawberries, the Fruit Bath can make some enjoyable and special pictures for you and your family to hold onto forever.