What Happens at a Cake Smash Photoshoot (and What If My Baby Doesn’t Cooperate?)

A first birthday feels like a big milestone.
And with that can come a surprising amount of pressure, especially when it comes to celebrating it “properly”.

One of the most common worries parents share with me before a Cake Smash is this:
What if my baby doesn’t like the cake? What if they cry? What if they just sit there and do nothing? What if they refuse to sit there!? 

So I wanted to talk you through exactly what happens at a cake smash photoshoot in my Leeds studio and hopefully put your mind at ease.

Because there really is no right or wrong way for a cake smash to go.

When is the best time to book a cake smash?

Most cake smash sessions take place around a baby’s first birthday.

Some parents love to book the session on their baby’s actual birthday, making it a really special way to spend the day together as a family. Others prefer to book it a little earlier so they have the photographs back in time to share with friends and family on the big day.

There’s no “correct” option, it just depends on what feels right for you.

Before your Cake Smash: planning without pressure

Booking a cake smash doesn’t mean you need to arrive with a fully formed theme or Pinterest board.

I decorate the set for your session, and we can work together on colours and styling that suit your baby and your taste. Some parents know exactly what they want, and others really don’t, both are absolutely fine.

I have a range of outfits available in the studio if you’d like to use them, although most parents prefer to bring their own, which works beautifully too.

I don’t include the cake itself, but I’m always happy to recommend local cake makers or suggest simple options that work well for photos.

The aim at this stage is to keep things easy and relaxed, not overwhelming.

At the studio: portraits first

Every cake smash session starts with a mini portrait session on the styled backdrop. This part is really important.

It gives your baby time to sit, look around, and get used to being somewhere new, without any pressure or expectation. It also means you come away with lovely, calm portraits of your baby before the cake even appears.

The Cake Smash

Once your baby has had time to settle, the cake comes out.

And this is where parents often worry the most, but honestly, this part is completely baby-led.

Some babies dive straight in.
Some poke it very carefully.
Some need a bit of encouragement.
Some are more interested in the texture than the taste.

Every baby is different, and part of the joy of a cake smash is simply getting to see how your baby interacts with it and being there in the moment with them. We’re making memories, not striving for a perfect shot.

There’s no forcing, no rushing, and no expectation that it has to look a certain way. I simply follow your baby’s lead and capture whatever unfolds naturally. And with over a decade of experience, I know how to gently guide things to get lovely images without forcing anything.

Finishing with a Bubble Bath

After the cake smash, we finish the session with a bubble bath in my little baby roll-top bath.

It’s a lovely way to wind things down and it often ends up being a favourite part of the session for both babies and parents.

Once your baby is clean, you wrap them up in a towel, head home… and more often than not, you both end up having a well-earned nap.

A cake smash is about more than the photos

A cake smash isn’t about getting the messiest picture or the biggest smile on demand.

It’s about celebrating your baby turning one in a way that feels meaningful. It’s about slowing down, enjoying the experience as a family, and having photographs you’ll still be looking back on years from now, long after the toys and clothes have been forgotten.

If this sounds like your kind of celebration, I’d love to chat about planning a cake smash session for your baby in my Leeds studio.

You can find full details on my Cake Smash page. 

If you enjoyed this blog, you may also like: How to Choose the Perfect Cake Smash Theme for Your Baby and Best Baby Classes in Leeds