What is a Cake Smash Session?

Celebrating a child's first birthday is a momentous occasion, marking the transition from infancy to toddlerhood. One delightful way to commemorate this milestone is through a cake smash photo session—a fun and messy tradition that captures the joy and curiosity of a one-year-old exploring cake for the first time. Megan Leigh Photography, based in Temecula, California, specializes in creating personalized and memorable cake smash experiences that families can cherish for years to come.​

What is a Cake Smash Session?

A cake smash session is a photo session typically held before or around a child's first birthday (typically, but can be done for older toddler's as well). It involves presenting the birthday child with a small cake and allowing them to explore, play with, and, of course, smash it. The resulting moments—filled with candid expressions, messy hands, and frosting-covered faces—are captured in high-quality photographs. These sessions not only celebrate a significant milestone but also provide keepsake images that reflect the child's unique personality.​ Megan Leigh Photography offers custom cake smash sessions designed to reflect each child's unique interests and family's preferences. 

Planning Your Session

To ensure a seamless experience, it's recommended to book your cake smash session 4-6 weeks in advance. This time frame allows me to design, plan, and order any necessary props or custom backdrops, especially if a new theme is desired. If the photos are intended for birthday invitations or party decorations, scheduling the session at least three weeks before you plan to send out invitations is advisable.

Custom Themes and Personalization

One of the standout features of Megan Leigh Photography's cake smash sessions is the ability to customize themes according to your child's interests or your family's vision. Whether it's a favorite storybook character, a cherished color scheme, or a whimsical concept, I collaborate with parents to bring these ideas to life. This personalization ensures that each session is unique and meaningful.

Session Structure

A typical cake smash session with Megan Leigh Photography includes:​

• Pre-Smash Portraits: Capturing the child in a clean outfit, these portraits highlight their personality and mark the milestone age.​

• Cake Smash: The main event where the child interacts with the cake, resulting in candid and often humorous photographs.​

• Optional Splash Session: Some sessions conclude with a fun and practical splash segment, where the child enjoys a small bath to clean up, providing additional adorable photo opportunities.

What to Bring

While I provide many of the props and backdrops, parents are encouraged to bring:​

• Outfits: One or two outfits—one for the pre-smash portraits and another (optional) for the cake smash itself.

• Personal Props: Any special items or toys that might comfort the child or add personal significance to the photos.​

Post-Session

After the session, I edit the photographs, enhancing their quality while preserving the authenticity of each moment. Clients receive a selection of high-resolution images, perfect for printing, sharing, or creating custom photo albums.