So you booked a cake smash photo session- what comes next?


Your baby is growing into a toddler right before your eyes. Turning one is a huge milestone for both your kiddo, and for mom & dad too. This session will be more than just saying ‘cheese’— it’ll be an experience with silly moments, exploring, and having fun. Welcome the chaos, enjoy each other, and go with the flow!


To begin preparing for your child's cake smash session, you will want to choose a theme.

This can represent something your child loves, or you can match the colors of their bedroom or birthday party theme if you're planning to display the photos.


A photography cake smash set up for a one year old girl.
A young girl in a pink dress and flower headband smiles with her cake smash cake.
A baby girls sits on white rocking chair at the WRAL Azalea Gardens in Raleigh, NC.
A girl sits on a cobblestone path with a pink ombre smash cake for her 1st birthday photoshoot.
Messy frosting covered baby hands and pink dress at this cake smash photo session.
A mom holds up her young daughter at her 1st birthday photoshoot.
A girl in a pink dress and floral headband sit in front of a cake stand and pink ombre cake.
An overhead view of a pink dress and pink ombre cake for a cake smash.

choosing a cake smash cake:

Choosing your cake is important! If you're looking for your little one to dive in, something with thick frosting will entice them - but the lightly frosted cakes are a good go to if you're looking to keep your kiddo 'cleaner' for this session.

A boy's hand digs in to his cake at his one year birthday photo session.
A log slice with a frosted small white winter cake smash cake.

what to wear to your family cake smash photo session:


  • I always recommend doing a full session for cake smash sessions so that the whole family can do pictures before hand.
  • When pairing family outfits together, it's best to think 'coordinating & complimenting' instead of 'matching'. Start with a color palette or one print and go from there! Your birthday kiddo can wear their cake smash outfit, or something different and then change after.
  • Clothing free of graphics and bold logos photograph best.
  • I offer a style guide and offer styling to my JPP families. From color schemes to baby party hats - I'm happy to help!

cake smash outfit ideas:

With the rising popularity of cake smash photo sessions, there is definitely no shortage of available outfits to chose from. I've highlighted some popular ones for baby girl cake smash outfits and baby boy cake smash outfits, but here are some things to ask yourself when choosing:


-what will you use your pictures for? If it's for their first birthday party- you can match the theme!

-will you display these photos in your home or baby's room?


A girl with floral headband and pink dress claps her frosting hands at her 1 year cake smash photoshoot.
A wooden balloon cake topper on a pink ombre cake for a cake smash photoshoot.
A one year old girl eats her cake in a pink dress at Historic Oak View Park in Raleigh, NC.
Baby in white lace dress gazes at pink birthday cake on white pedestal stand outdoors with bokeh background.
Baby wearing white lace dress lies on white blanket outdoors with yellow flowers and trees in background.
Baby in white dress enjoys first birthday cake with pink frosting while seated at wooden table outdoors at WRAL Azalea Gardens cake smash

list of things to pack for your cake smash:

  • cake smash outfit
  • outfit/shoes for family pictures
  • cake & cake topper or candle
  • cake stand
  • any props or decor (such as balloons, birthday party hat, or anything else you'd like to include!)
  • a drink for your baby - cake can be a little dry!
  • blanket to set up on
  • baby wipes & a towel for easy clean up
  • plastic bags to hold dirty cake clothing
  • change of clothes to ride home in


A wooden 'ONE' banner decorated with light blue tassels and white beads for first birthday party decor.
A family stands together on a sandy beach near the water on a sunny afternoon.
Raleigh NC Cake Smash Session
A heartwarming beach portrait at sunset showing a tender moment between parent and infant on golden sand.
Baby in overalls sits in white wooden chair with bright turquoise birthday cake and matching decor at a first birthday cake smash.
Baby sits in high chair with blue smash cake during first birthday celebration on sandy beach.
Baby sitting in decorated white high chair on beach at sunset with blue tassels and ONE banner celebration.
A couple sits on a sandy beach at sunset playing with a baby against a serene waterfront backdrop at Jordan Lake in Raleigh NC
Baby reaches for bright blue smash cake with crumbs and frosting during first birthday photo session in Raleigh.
A family plays together on a beach at sunset, lifting a child in the air while laughing and enjoying the golden light.

When preparing for your child's 1st birthday photo session, just remember the whole purpose is supposed to be a FUN way to celebrate. It's easy put too much stress on your theme, colors, or worrying if your kiddo will even eat their cake. My advice? Stick to the packing list, and then come to your session totally prepared, ready to laugh, get a little messy, and really just marvel on how big your baby is getting.

Baby girl in pink 1st birthday hat - cake smash session in Raleigh NC
A baby girl with a white bow sits and eats her smash cake at WRAL Azalea Gardens.
A redhead baby girl sits and holds 2 balloons at her 1st birthday photo session in Raleigh, NC.

Jessie Peloso Photography is a lifestyle photographer in the Raleigh area and surrounding towns.

You can follow along on Instagram or Facebook.

they only turn one once...