Themed Cake Smash Photo Shoots

One of the most exciting events for me to capture is a baby's first birthday.

This milestone is a big one and should be celebrated in a fun and memorable way.

I love to celebrate a first birthday with a themed cake smash photoshoot. My style is quite simple, using props and colour to bring your ideas to life. Here’s a few ideas to get you thinking…

Character Theme

A Character first birthday is a classic choice for parents who want to create a magical and whimsical celebration for their little one. You can choose a favourite character and incorporate them into the cake smash photoshoot. For example, we can use themed props like ears, balloons, and toys, and get a cake to match.

This 100 Aker Wood setup is one of my favourites. Her cake was a little naked cake with little bees on - it was perfect!

This outfit belongs to the studio if you’d like to use it for your little one.


Sports Theme

For parents who love sports, a sports-themed first birthday can be a fun and playful way to celebrate their baby's milestone. You can choose a favourite sports team, like the local football team, and incorporate the team's colours and logo into the cake smash photoshoot. You can also use sports-themed props like balls, shirts, or hats to create a cohesive look.



A 1 year old sits, smiling at the camera wearing a rainbow romper.  There is a rainbow ballon arch with gold stars behind her and the letters ONE.  She has a cake in front of her and is holding a wooden spoon in the air.

Rainbow Theme

A rainbow-themed first birthday is a colourful and vibrant way to celebrate your baby's special day. We can use a rainbow-coloured backdrop and decorate the cake with bright colours and sprinkles. We can also incorporate rainbow-themed props like balloons, streamers, and confetti to create a festive and fun atmosphere.  This is a definite favourite - it’s a classic one that won’t date. 


Safari Theme

A safari-themed first birthday is a great way to bring the wild outdoors to your baby's celebration. We can use a safari-themed backdrop and decorate the cake with animal figurines and greenery. We can also incorporate safari-themed props like stuffed animals, binoculars, and safari hats to create a playful and adventurous atmosphere.  Bring along your baby’s favourite stuffed animal to add extra personalisation to your shoot.


Garden/Flower Theme

A garden or flower themed first birthday is a beautiful way to celebrate your baby's milestone and is one of my most popular set ups. We can incorporate props like bunting. watering cans, flowerpots, and flowers and outfits like tutus and flowery rompers.
The optional ‘splash’ tin bath photos go really well with this setup.


A themed cake smash photoshoot is a fun and memorable way to celebrate your baby's first birthday. There are a variety of creative ways to incorporate your special theme into the photoshoot and I’m always open to new ideas. One thing is sure, and that’s we’ll capture special moments that you and your family can cherish for years to come!