The Complete Guide to Your Cake Smash Photoshoot
Your baby’s first birthday is a magical milestone that deserves to be celebrated in style! A cake smash photoshoot is one of the most fun, memorable ways to mark this special occasion, capturing your little one’s personality as they explore, play, and (yes!) make a beautiful mess with their very own birthday cake.
At Mihai Gonguta – Photo Studio in Milton Keynes, we’ve photographed over 350+ cake smash sessions, and each one is unique, joyful, and filled with genuine moments that parents treasure forever. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know to prepare for an amazing cake smash experience.
Unlike traditional birthday photos, cake smash sessions capture authentic reactions and genuine emotions. Some babies dive right in with enthusiasm, others are more cautious and curious, and some prefer to observe rather than dig in. Every reaction is perfect because it’s authentically your baby.
- Pre-Cake Portraits – We begin with family photos on a plain backdrop, followed by themed portraits of your baby, styled with outfits and props.
- The Cake Smash – The main event where your baby gets to explore and enjoy their cake
- Bath Splash – Fun clean-up photos in a mini bathtub, capturing giggles and splashes
This three-part structure tells a complete story of your baby’s first birthday celebration, from pristine and perfect to gloriously messy and every moment in between.
The sweet spot for cake smash photography is between 11-13 months old. At this age, most babies can:
- Sit independently without support
- Show interest in new textures and tastes
- Display a range of expressions and reactions
- Interact with objects (like cakes or props!)
- Stay engaged for 45-90 minutes with breaks
Before 11 months: Many babies aren’t sitting confidently yet, which can limit the types of photos we can capture. They may also be less interested in exploring the cake.
After 13 months, Toddlers become more mobile and may be less interested in sitting still for portraits. They might also have stronger food preferences or be past the exploration phase.
That said, every baby develops at their own pace. If your baby is sitting confidently at 10 months or still in the perfect stage at 14 months, we can absolutely create beautiful photos!
Book 4-6 weeks in advance to secure your preferred date, allow time to coordinate with your chosen baker, select your preferred theme, and avoid last-minute stress.
One of the most common questions parents ask is: “Do I need to bring a real cake?”
Most families choose a real, baby-friendly smash cake. Here’s what works best:
- Size: 6-8 inches (perfect for baby-sized hands!)
- Texture: Soft and easy to break apart
- Frosting: Buttercream works beautifully and photographs well
- Flavours: Vanilla, chocolate, or your baby’s favourite
- Design: Simple or elaborate – both photograph beautifully!
We’ve worked with these talented bakers who understand cake smash requirements:
- Oana’s Magical Hands – from Milton Keynes – Specialises in baby-friendly cakes
- Eve’s Traditional Cakes – from Milton Keynes – Beautiful traditional designs
- Biscottino – from Bedford – Beautiful traditional designs
- Andreea Sweet’s – from Northampton – Soft textures, perfect for little hands
- Cake & Sweets by Mio – from Dunstable – Designed for mess and magic
- Sweets Homemade Michelle – from Birmingham – Timeless, elegant Cake Smash designs
These bakers know exactly what works for cake smash photography and can create cakes that are both beautiful and perfect for your baby.
We also offer a mess-free alternative with our studio fake cake, perfect for:
- Babies with allergies or dietary restrictions
- Parents who prefer a cleaner session
- Families who want cake smash-style photos without the actual cake
- Those who want to keep the real cake for the birthday party
The fake cake still creates beautiful, authentic-looking photos while keeping things tidy!
Proper preparation ensures a smooth, stress-free session. Here’s your complete packing list:
- ✅ The smash cake (if using a real one)
- ✅ Birthday outfit for pre-cake portraits – we have many beautiful outfits for a 1-year-old in the studio. ( Optional )
- ✅ Spare nappy/diaper for cake smash phase
- ✅ Complete change of clothes for after the session
- ✅ Baby wipes (lots of them!)
- ✅ Towels for cleanup
- ✅ Favourite snacks and drinks
- ✅ Comfort items (favourite toy, blanket, or pacifier)
- ✅ Any necessary medications
You don’t need to bring decorations or props! Our Milton Keynes studio is fully equipped with:
- Multiple themes
- Props and accessories for various themes
- Mini bathtub for splash photos
- Professional lighting equipment
- Comfortable seating area for parents
We offer over 25 professionally styled themes suitable for both boys and girls. Each theme is carefully designed to create beautiful, timeless photographs while keeping the focus on your baby.
Ready to book your Cake Smash Photography session?
👉 View my Cake Smash packages & prices here
Cake Smash Photography Gallery – First Birthday Sessions
Explore real Cake Smash photography sessions, from clean pre-cake portraits to joyful first birthday celebrations, beautifully captured in our studio.
Frequently Asked Questions – Cake Smash Photography
Q: Do I need to bring my own cake?
A: Yes, but if you prefer a mess-free session, I have a fake cake in the studio.
Q: Where are the sessions held?
A: Sessions are held in my studio in Milton Keynes, welcoming families from surrounding towns and cities.
Q: How long does a Cake Smash session take?
A: Each session usually lasts 45–60 minutes, including pre-cake family portraits and the cake smash itself. This gives your baby plenty of time to explore and enjoy the experience.
Q: What are Pre-Cake Portraits?
A: Pre-Cake Portraits are clean, adorable photos of your baby on a plain backdrop, often with family included. After this, we move on to the themed Cake Smash with outfits and props.
Q: What if my baby doesn’t want to smash the cake?
A: That’s completely fine! Every baby is different. We always start with family and pre-cake portraits, and your baby can explore the cake at their own pace. Even just touching or tasting it can create wonderful memories.