First birthdays are a big deal. Cake smash sessions are a fun way to celebrate this milestone, but they’re also full of very real reactions—curiosity, excitement, hesitation, and sometimes a little confusion.

If you’re picturing your baby happily diving into a cake the moment it’s placed in front of them, I gently remind parents that this is often your baby’s very first experience with cake. And like most first experiences, it can come with mixed feelings.

Whether your baby loves it immediately, cautiously investigates, or decides the cake is absolutely not for them, every response is part of their story.

Cake Isn’t Always Love at First Bite

Many babies have never eaten cake before. The sweetness, the texture, and the mess can all feel unfamiliar—especially in a new environment with studio lights and someone new cheering them on.

Some babies go all in. Others prefer to keep their hands clean, crawl away, or stare at the cake as if it’s something they’re not quite sure they trust yet. All of this is completely normal, and none of it means your session isn’t successful.

Want More Classic Cake Smash Photos? Familiarity Helps

If you’re hoping for more traditional cake smash images, it can help to let your baby become familiar with cake or similar textures at home before the session. Even a small taste or a chance to touch frosting beforehand can make the experience feel less overwhelming in the studio.

This isn’t a requirement—just a gentle tip for families who have a specific look in mind.

How Cake Smash Sessions Flow in the Studio

In my Lake Tapps studio, serving families from Seattle, Tacoma, Puyallup, and the South Sound, cake smash sessions are relaxed and baby-led.

I provide a chair for cake smash as well as a wooden cake stand, and I typically move through the session in stages. We start with the chair, transition to the cake stand, and finish with the cake on the floor. This gradual flow gives your baby time to warm up and allows us to capture a variety of moments without rushing.

Some babies happily work through every setup. Others let us know when they’re finished early—sometimes by crawling away with impressive determination. Both are perfectly okay.

Messy Moments Are Welcome, Not Mandatory

Cake smash sessions often come with the expectation of mess, but not every baby enjoys getting sticky. If your baby doesn’t love frosting on their hands or face, they may avoid the cake altogether.

That’s not a problem. These sessions are about documenting your baby’s personality, not forcing a reaction. Clean hands or frosting-covered fingers both tell an honest story of this stage in their life.

What Parents Can Bring to Help Things Go Smoothly

While I take care of the setup and flow of the session, a few familiar items from home can be helpful:

A favorite toy
Familiar snacks your baby already enjoys

If your baby loves puff snacks or yogurt melts, we can even hide them inside the cake. While your baby is focused on discovering something familiar, I’m able to capture natural expressions and sweet, genuine moments.

Tears Can Happen—and That’s Okay

Occasionally, babies cry during cake smash sessions. New foods, new textures, and a new environment can be a lot to process, and that’s completely developmentally normal.

We take breaks as needed and move at your baby’s pace. There’s no pressure to push through discomfort. A calm, supportive experience always comes first.

Cleanup Is Easy and Stress-Free

After the session, you’ll have access to a sink for gentle cleanup, a changing table right next to it, and clean towels provided by the studio. You don’t need to worry about the mess—I’ve planned for it.

Just Bring the Cake and Your Baby

All you need to bring is the cake and your baby. I provide the setups, the space, and a calm environment designed to support real moments.

Whether your baby enthusiastically smashes the cake, cautiously explores it, or decides they’re done after a few minutes, your session will reflect who they are right now—and that’s what makes these images so meaningful.