Celebrating your baby’s first birthday with a cake smash photography session is a fun and memorable way to capture this special milestone! Over the past few years, cake smash themes have evolved, offering my clients a variety of creative and unique options. I won’t lie; cake smashes are some of my favorite sessions! I get to bring creativity and your vision to life.  We celebrate your adorable baby and capture professional portraits to treasure for a lifetime. My favorite part is handing clients their custom albums to always remember the occasion!

As a Newington, CT baby photographer, I’ve had the joy of capturing some of the most adorable cake smash sessions, and I’m excited to share the latest trends that are making a splash this year! (None of these are your jam? I’d love to chat! I’ve done many cake smash sessions in different styles and always love trying something new!)

10 Cake Smash Trends

1. Classic Cake Smash – A timeless trend year after year is the use of balloons, florals, and arches to create a simple yet elegant backdrop. This studio setup offers a classic look with a modern twist. During this session, we allow the cake to take center stage while the soft colors and textures add depth to the photos. A recent cake smash session featured this theme, and it perfectly captured the sweetness and joy of the occasion. This minimalist approach allows for a timeless aesthetic that can be personalized with your choice of colors and flowers, making it a versatile option for any cake smash! 

Classic cake smash theme is always popular

Pretty in pink cake smash theme

2. Seasonal – When does your baby turn one? Is it in the summer? Fall? During the holiday season? Valentine’s Day? Let’s celebrate your baby’s birthday and honor the season! We’ve done many different cake smash sessions over the years that showcase the season, from a summer sunflower cake smash session to a fall-themed cake smash session and almost any holiday you can think of!

Valentine’s Day-themed cake smash session

Summer sunflower-themed cake smash session

Winter-themed cake smash session

3. Princess or Prince – What better way to celebrate your little prince or princess than with that being the cake smash session theme? This theme never gets old and is only growing more popular! Each prince or princess session is totally customizable with different colors, balloons, and props. 

Princess-themed cake smash session

4. Camping/Lumberjack – This theme is perfect for little adventurers. With elements like plaid patterns, pine trees, and rustic decor, it creates a cozy, outdoorsy vibe that’s both playful and charming. It’s a great way to incorporate nature-inspired elements into your baby’s photoshoot. In the session featured below, the cake looked like a stack of pancakes! How cute is that?!

Lumberjack-themed cake smash session

Camping-themed cake smash session

5. Magic/Wizard Inspired – Everyone loves Harry Potter, and these parents want their babies to love it, too! How about a theme inspired by the beloved series? Magic and whimsy come to life in these adorable sessions. This theme is perfect for families who are fans of the beloved series and want to pass on that love to the next generation. With props like spell books, wizard hats, and tiny wands, this theme is sure to create enchanting memories.

Wizard-themed cake smash session

Magical wizard-themed cake smash session

6. Lemonade Stand – Bright, cheerful, and full of zest, the Lemonade theme is perfect for a summer birthday. With sunny yellow tones and lemon accents, this theme brings a refreshing feel to the cake smash, making it ideal for capturing vibrant, joyful photos.

Lemonade-themed cake smash session

7. Mermaid/Under the Sea – A studio mermaid cake smash session is a whimsical and enchanting experience that transforms your little one’s first birthday into an undersea adventure. The set is adorned with shimmering blues and greens, soft corals, and sparkling seashells, creating the perfect backdrop for your baby to dive into their cake. We can even use a mermaid outfit complete with a tail and perhaps a delicate seashell crown, your little one is free to explore, smash, and enjoy their special cake.

Mermaid-themed cake smash session

Under the sea mermaid theme birthday session

8. Wild and Free – There are a couple of different versions of this theme, and we love them all! This cake smash session is all about embracing the untamed spirit of childhood. The setup is inspired by nature, with earthy tones, rustic elements, and touches of greenery, creating a backdrop that feels like an adventure in the great outdoors.

Wild cake smash session

9. Western Themed – This year has also seen the rise of some exciting new themes that bring fresh ideas to the cake-smash world! For example, this year, I had a rodeo-themed cake smash session. This Western-inspired theme is one of the newest trends and is already proving to be a hit. With cowboy hats, boots, and a rustic backdrop, the “My 1st Rodeo” theme brings a sense of adventure and fun to the photoshoot. It’s perfect for parents looking to create a playful, country-themed celebration for their little one!

Western-themed cake smash session

Rodeo-themed cake smash session

10. Cultural Significance – What about a cake smash session that honors your baby turning one and celebrates your culture? This session’s theme was the Chinese Autumn Festival! How cute did it turn out? We had to get really creative sourcing (and making) some of the props, but I love how it came together.

Chinese Lantern-themed cake smash session

What’s your dream cake smash theme? 

Why Cake Smash Photography is So Special

Cake smash photography sessions are more than just adorable photo opportunities! These are a celebration of your baby’s first year and all the milestones that have come with it. These sessions are a chance to let your little one have fun, explore, and get messy in the best way possible. I handle every part of the cake smash session, from planning to set up and even clean up! You get to have the fun and leave the mess to me. You can read more about my full-service cake smash photography sessions here. The joy and laughter captured during a cake smash are priceless memories that you’ll treasure for years to come.

Whimsical air balloon-themed cake smash session

Whether you opt for a classic theme with a twist, a brand-new concept, or a simple and elegant setup, choosing a theme that reflects your baby’s personality and your family’s style is the most important. These trends offer a great starting point, but the possibilities are endless. I’m here to help bring your vision to life.

If you’re in Newington, CT, and planning a cake smash for your little one’s first birthday, I’d love to work with you to create a session that is as unique and special as your child. Let’s make this milestone one to remember with beautiful photos that you and your family will cherish forever. Contact me here to start planning!