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If you’ve already read my post on how to prepare for a milestone session, you know one-year sessions are about so much more than a birthday candle and a cute outfit.

They’re about personality.
Movement.
Expressions.

The cake smash? That’s the fun ending.

As a Chicago cake smash photographer, I include a cake smash with every one-year milestone session. It’s part of the experience — not the entire thing. So let’s talk about how it actually works, how to prep, and how to keep it fun without overwhelming your baby (or you).

What a Cake Smash Really Looks Like with Your Chicago Cake Smash Photographer

Some babies smash like they’ve been waiting for this moment their whole lives.
Some babies politely poke the frosting and immediately need a moment to process.
Some babies stare at the cake like it might be a trap.

All normal.

And yes — many babies cry at some point during the cake smash session. Sticky hands, new textures, big feelings. It happens. And honestly? Those photos often end up being some of the most memorable ones. A pouty lip or a dramatic face in the middle of a cake smash usually becomes a favorite later on.

That’s also why timing matters. One-year sessions tend to go best earlier in the day or early afternoon, when babies are rested, fed, and generally in a better mood. Nothing has to be perfect (because… babies), but choosing a time when your child is usually happiest gives us the best chance for relaxed, smiley moments — especially once cake enters the picture.

My job isn’t to force a reaction. It’s to follow your baby’s lead and capture who they are right now.

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How the Session Flows

We don’t start with cake. (Almost ever.)

Here’s how a one-year session typically flows:

1. Family portraits
We usually start with family photos while everyone is clean and baby is fresh. This keeps things relaxed and makes sure we capture those images before anything messy or distracting happens.

2. Milestone portraits
Next, we move into classic milestone photos — sitting, standing, clapping, personality moments — usually in 1–2 outfits. These are clean, timeless images focused entirely on your baby.

3. Mug shots
Mug shots are always included. And if you did a newborn session with me, this is often the moment where the growth really hits — it’s always a favorite. (If there are siblings we can do Mugs for them too! )

4. Simple, unclothed (“naked”) baby photos
If baby’s doing well, we’ll do a few simple, unclothed baby photos either before the cake (clean and classic) or after the cake (messy, playful, and full of personality). We decide in the moment based on how your baby is feeling and which look makes the most sense that day.

5. The cake smash
Cake comes last. This is where things get messy, playful, and unpredictable — and that’s exactly what makes it fun.

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About Overstimulation (Because It’s Real)

Babies can get overstimulated. New space. New faces. Big energy. Add cake to the mix and things can escalate quickly.

That’s why we stay flexible during the session. Some babies do great with lots of people around. Others get distracted fast — especially when siblings are excited and want to help, touch the cake, or narrate every single moment (which is adorable, and also… a lot).

If that happens, we may simplify things for a bit. That could mean fewer people in the room, one parent close by, or giving siblings a short break and bringing them back in later. Nothing rigid. Just small adjustments to keep your baby comfortable and engaged.

There’s no set formula here. I read your baby and adjust in real time so things stay calm, fun, and moving in the right direction.

If your baby has stranger danger, let me know ahead of time so I can plan for a slower, gentler warm-up. And if they’ve been coming to me since earlier milestones? That usually helps more than you’d think. Familiar face. Familiar space.

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The Cake (You Bring It — and That’s a Good Thing)

You bring the cake — and that’s intentional.

Allergies, sensitivities, preferences. You know your baby best, and this keeps everything familiar and safe.

Cake size

• A smaller smash cake around 8–10” works great (or a little taller too)
• A full round bakery cake is also totally fine and gives baby more room to explore
• There are endless options whether its shaped like a big cupcake It is totally up to you and the look you are going for.

Cake color

• Yellow cake is a classic — bright, cheerful, timeless
• Funfetti is a really cute twist on a classic and photographs beautifully
• Brown or chocolate cakes create more contrast. Some families love that look, while others prefer something lighter once things get messy. It’s just good to know going in.

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A Note on Frosting (Because It Shows Up Everywhere)

Frosting matters. A lot.

Classic white frosting is always a beautiful choice. Clean, simple, timeless.

One thing to keep in mind: if your baby has a light skin tone, all-white frosting can sometimes blend in once it’s on their hands, cheeks, and nose. If you love the all white look, adding a little bit of color — even a soft pastel that fits your theme — helps it pop once frosting is everywhere.

Sugar sprinkles do the same thing. Small detail. Big impact.

A few frosting notes:

• Avoid brown or black frosting — once things get messy, it can feel heavy on camera
• Some grocery store bakeries use frostings that are very oily. Totally workable, just a little shinier once it’s on skin and clothing
• Some families go with a beautifully decorated cake from a specialty bakery. Others keep it simple

There’s no wrong answer here — just different looks.

One important tip: take the cake out of the fridge before your session so the frosting isn’t super cold for your baby.

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What Should Baby Wear?

You’ve got options — and help.

You’re welcome to bring your own outfits, and you’re also welcome to use my full client wardrobe for:

• Pre-cake milestone photos
• Cake smash photos

Some families choose:

• A diaper cover or bloomers
• A small skirt or shorts
• Pants with suspenders
• A full outfit just for the smash

If you’re unsure, wardrobe consults are always available.

Set Design

There are a few options for your cake smash set up. Simple monochrome, baloon arch, photo wall, or whatever your imagination can come up with!

Balloon arches add color, personality, and a little extra birthday feel.

Photo backdrops can be a fun way to show a recap of your baby’s first year.

And a simple colored or white backdrop is classic and beautiful.

You just let me know what your vision is and I make it happen

AND If you have no clue thats totally OKAY we can plan together

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Cake Stands (or No Stand at All)

If you have a specific look in mind, you’re welcome to bring your own cake stand.

I also have a few in the studio. And sometimes I skip the stand entirely and place the cake directly on the backdrop so it doesn’t tip over. Baby-led always wins.

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What to Bring With You

A few helpful things to toss in your bag:

• Bottle, sippy cup, or water
• Pacifier (even if they don’t usually use one)
• Diapers
• A small snack if your baby gets hungry
• A favorite toy for smiles — something cute, not something they have to hold the entire time

If your baby has a favorite tiny snack, bring it. Sometimes we’ll hide it on the cake so they naturally reach for it.

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Let Your Baby Try Cake Before the Session

This helps more than people expect.

Let your baby try cake and frosting before session day.
A few times. Different days.

First-time sugar plus cameras and a new space can be a lot. Familiarity goes a long way.

Not into cake? That’s okay too.

Some fun alternatives

• Donuts
• Cupcakes
• Other baby-friendly treats

If you’re thinking about an alternative, we’ll talk it through.

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One Very Important Note at the End

If your baby loves phones, try not to take yours out during the session.

Once a baby sees a phone, that’s usually all they want — and it can be hard to get them back once it’s in play.

That said, some babies love music, and we absolutely use it when it helps. Music can make babies happy, excited, a little dance-y — and it can also be really calming if they’re feeling unsure or starting to get overwhelmed.

We’ll play music when it makes sense. We just try to avoid handing over a phone with a show or video on it, since that can pull their attention away from everything else happening in the session.

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Final Thoughts (From a Chicago Cake Smash Photographer)

Cake smash sessions aren’t about perfection.

They’re about your baby at one — curious, expressive, sometimes thrilled, sometimes unsure, sometimes very done by the end. And that’s exactly what makes them special.

If you’re planning a one-year milestone session and have questions, I’m always happy to talk it through. And if you haven’t yet, take a look at my posts on what milestone sessions are and how to prepare for a milestone session so you know what to expect.

Calm session.
Beautiful images.
No pressure.

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Ready to Schedule Your Cake Smash?

Cake smash sessions can be booked at any time — whether you’re planning ahead during the newborn stage or realizing your baby is almost one and you don’t want to miss this milestone.

I love photographing cake smash sessions around 11 months, especially if you’d like photos ready for a birthday party, invitations, or cards. Scheduling before the actual birthday helps make that possible.

That said, closer to the birthday works too. And if your baby is already 12 or even 13 months, you haven’t missed your chance — that stage is still incredibly sweet and very much “one.”

If you have questions or you’re ready to book, you can schedule your call right here, and we’ll go over all the details together.

I can’t wait to smash some cake together!