cake smash

simple, modern and classic

vancouver cake smash photography

You made it through a year! Sure, these sessions are about celebrating the little one’s first birthday, but between you and me … parents need to be commended for surviving that first year too!

Cake smashes are done in a modern, minimalist style, and set against classic, timeless decor where your baby gets to be the focus of attention, rather than a bunch of props. The purpose remains to tell the story of who your baby is, by focusing on the little things like his hearty belly laugh, or how she pouts to get her way, or their pure delight at the 16th rendition of Baby Shark.

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the cake smash

  • one year old eating smash cake in Coquitlam
  • Toddler boy smashing his cake in a white studio with natural elements
  • Close-up of little baby fingers digging into a semi-naked cake during his cake smash session.
  • Baby crawling away from cake during one year old baby cake smash session
  • Funny cake smash for twins with white and gold balloon garland. Boy is eating cake while girl is crying.
  • Girl reaching for a smash cake, with a cloud and stars background in white and gold.
  • Floral and spanish moss backdrop behind one year old girl smiling during her Vancouver cake smash session.
  • Toddler girl smashing her cake with a wooden spoon.
  • Asian baby smiles at the camera during cake smash decorated with white ballon garland with green leaves.
  • Baby blows kisses in blue denim and suspenders while eating cake in a Lower Mainland studio.
  • Toddler girl in pink dress stand next to cake and floral hoops at cake smash session.
  • Chubby legs of girl next to a cake that has been smashed and has a cake topper saying "one".
  • Chinese baby boy's cake smash with green, white and gold balloons and a giant pineapple.
  • Cake smashing! Child digs their fingers through a destroyed cake during cake smash session.
  • Happy and laughing boy lies next to a cake in a Vancouver cake smash portrait session.
  • East-Indian baby girl with her fingers in her mouth, eating cake during her cake smash session.
  • Messy feet of girl in Port Coquitlam cake smash.
  • Baby in white romper crawls away from smashed cake in a white studio.
  • Boy eats whole cake in front of a green, gold and white balloon garland.
  • Amused kid looks at his foot covered in cake during messy cake smash session in Vancouver.
  • Filipino baby boy crawls towards blue ombre cake in simple cake smash session.
  • close up of boy looking at dirty fingers in studio cake smash
  • Baby girl crawls towards camera next to a lavender and white cake and hanging purple wisteria backdrop.
  • Girl attempts to eat giant cupcake used for studio cake smash.
  • Laughing girl at cake smash that looks like it's in the clouds.
  • Boy giggles at his natural wood themed cake smash session.
  • Overhead view of cake smash.
  • Toddler eats big piece of cake in studio cake smash session.
  • Boho inspired cake smash in Vancouver
  • Messy details of little baby feet during cake smash.
  • One year old toddler puts big piece of blue and white ombre decorated cake into his mouth while smiling.
  • Girl laughs at cake smash decorated with eucalyptus garland.
  • Coquitlam cake smash photography shows boy with ferns at milestone session
  • Overhead view of natural cake smash with wood and greenery in an all-white studio.
  • Upside down ice cream is the cake smash theme for this boy in a brown romper.
  • Toddler boy in denim overalls throws his hands in the air after a piece of cake falls in this Vancouver studio session.
  • Cake Smash with a Dinosaurs and Wild One theme in a white Vancouver studio.
  • Just the chubby legs of a boy in bright red overalls during his music themed cake smash.
  • One cake topper in focus with a toddler girl looking on in the background.
  • Funny moment when boy pushes his cake over at his first year cake smash celebration.

add ons: family, portrait and bubble bath

  • family sits on bed in studio with boho wreath in background
  • Cute girl laugh with giant letters spelling ONE during her birthday portrait session in Vancouver.
  • Bubble bath session in vintage tub with blue balloon garland.
  • Cute naked baby peeking through white curtains.
  • Big baby session with child spelling his name in blocks.
  • Mom and Dad tickle their toddler boy before his cake smash session.
  • Child looks closely at rubber ducky during a bubble bath after their cake smash session.
  • Studio photo session with family acting silly and dad turning boy upside down while mom and little brother watches.
  • Minimalist portrait against a white background of toddler pulling a family of three wooden elephants on a string.
  • Baby taking a bath in a Denny's bathtub prop after cake smash and looking down at yellow rubber duck on the ground.
  • Asian boy holds hands with his parents in their family photo in a Vancouver studio.
  • Boy sits cross-legged inside of a white wooden bowl for his portraits taken before a cake smash session.
  • Overhead view of a baby's arm reaching out of a bubble bath towards a yellow toy duck.
  • Overhead view of child playing with alphabet blocks in a studio photo session.
  • Family of 5 pose for a family photo in this Port Coquitlam white photo studio.
  • Asian girl laughs in a milestone portrait taken for her first birthday session, standing next to a white bendy chair.
  • Mom and daughter in neutral dresses cuddle and laugh in a Coquitlam photo studio.
  • Little boy in grey romper sits in an antique small doll cradle.
  • Dad lifts his baby boy into the air inside a Vancouver studio with white curtains.
  • One year old girl plays with wooden cake toy to celebrate her first birthday with a portrait session.
  • Boy plays with wool balls to celebrate his first birthday photo session in Vancouver.
  • Overhead view of large canvas letters spelling ONE and little girl holding the letters.
  • Cheeky looking girl sits on a bed with her parents looking on in the background.
  • one year old studio session in Vancouver
  • Baby girl crawls next to a wooden sign saying one in a simple and modern first birthday cake smash session.
  • Parent tickles laughing child on bed at their all-white first birthday studio session.
  • boy in bucket in Vancouver portrait studio
  • Focus on the lashes of a baby girl during her portrait and cake smash session.
  • Asian toddler girl laughs happily on a white bed in this Port Coquitlam portrait session.

the process

modern white and green cake smash with Vancouver cake smash photographer

01.

How time flies

Doesn’t it feel like yesterday when you held that little one in your arms for the first time? Now they are a crawling, giggling, bundle of energy who challenge you in so many ways! As you look ahead towards the transition from baby to toddler, contact me around the 10-month mark so we have enough time to book the cake for their cake smash!

02.

Getting to know you

A cake smash is an experience completely customized for your little one. We have an extensive planning call to talk about your baby’s personality, what is important to you to capture, and which colours and decor would allow your baby to be the star of the show. Expect lots of brainstorming and Pinterest boards – planning is so much fun!

03.

Prepping made easy

Right from the beginning, I emphasize that cake smashes are FUN! I use checklists to let you know exactly what to expect before, during and after the session so you can leave the stress behind. I take care of the cake, and you can use my studio wardrobe, so just bring your baby and let’s get messy! And yeah, I clean up too!

04.

It’s Photo Day!

It’s here! Prepare to have a fun, energetic and memorable session. Baby may hate the cake, or baby may bury their face in the cake, or anything in between! Whatever happens, we’ll all get messy, laugh a lot, sing Baby Shark 22 times, and sneak bites of the cake. And get stunning photos recording this special day.

05.

The Big Reveal

Within 2–3 weeks of your session, your full gallery will be presented in a tear-inducing slideshow. Grab a coffee, watch it on repeat, and soak in all those tiny details and messy smiles from your own couch. It’s such a joy to see your little one’s personality shine, and I’ll be available to help you pick out the photos that truly make your heart skip a beat.

06.

Want more?

Your session already includes high-resolution files, but if you find yourself falling in love with every single frosting-covered finger and toe, this is where you can easily upgrade your collection. Whether you want a few extra shots or the whole gallery, I’ll make sure these moments don’t just sit forgotten on a hard drive.

Investment

Let’s be real: a one-year-old with a giant cake is pure, unadulterated gold.

Whether they dive in face-first, pick at the sprinkles with one chubby toe, or decide that crawling to Mama’s arms is the better move—it’s all part of the story.

I’m here to capture the “cake smash chaos” and those big, budding personalities before they grow like weeds and you hardly recognize them. My goal is to make this milestone easy, fun … and a little bit sticky!

Cake Smash Session

I focus on simple, timeless sets that keep the spotlight exactly where it belongs: on your little human.

The Vibe: Relaxed and fun. I organize it all – the decor, the props, the cake, and even the outfits. Just show up ready to celebrate your babe’s first year.

Timing: Sessions happen in the morning, usually right after baby’s morning nap, when they are happy, bright-eyed and ready to play!

What’s included:

  • Pre-session phone consultations
  • A custom-designed 6″ smash cake (vegan option available)
  • Access to an extensive studio wardrobe of classic cake smash outfits
  • My signature Fresh 48 Session Prep Guide
  • 20 high-resolution digital files of your choice
  • Full print release
  • Easy upgrades available if you just can’t choose!
$600 + GST
Get in touch!

Optional Upgrades

Want to make the session extra special? Consider adding one or two of these mini-sessions to your cake smash experience.

Family Portraits: Before the cake comes out, we pause to focus on the love and connection between you and your birthday babe.

One-Year Portraits: With the aid of some classic toys and props, we capture those “big personalities” and natural expressions to create wall-worthy portraits..

Bubble Bath: Let’s clean up that frosting with bubbles, splashing, and a few giggles when they try to eat the rubber ducky.

$50 each + GST
Get in touch!

Gallery Upgrades

Because sometimes choosing is the hardest part.

  • Additional 10 digital images:
    $100 + GST
  • All digital images:
    $200 + GST
  • Saturday session:
    $75 + GST
  • boy in bucket in Vancouver portrait studio

    …the photos came out amazing…

    Rochelle is an awesome photographer. She did my son’s cake smash shoot and the photos came out amazing! She is so easy to talk to and made us all feel comfortable.
    Lesley D.

have questions?

Cake Smash and Portrait sessions take place on weekday mornings at my home studio in Port Coquitlam. We aim for around 10am, but adjust the start time as needed depending on your little one’s nap schedule.

Your session does not have to take place on (or even near) your baby’s first birthday! I typically photograph babies between 11 months and 14 months for their first birthday cake smash. The baker I work with is incredible, but busy, so we want to make sure that we order the cake in time. I recommend you contact me when baby is about 10 months old to get a date on the calendar.

I recommend not making the outfit the focus of the session. We want your little one’s antics and expressions to remain the star of the show! I offer an extensive studio wardrobe with some classic rompers, onesies, and outfits in neutral colours that will complement any colour scheme that you may choose. You are also welcome to bring your own outfit – just don’t overthink it! I recommend rompers for girls, and rompers or just jeans for boys. Zara and H&M are both stores with great options for that age.

Firstly, you’ll notice that I specialize in a more classic, timeless look for cake smashes. Sessions are set against a white background, and I don’t do extensive themes with tons of fake props, By removing all distractions, save for a few classy items that support your chosen colour scheme, the primary focus becomes your baby: the expressions, the movements, and all the little details that you’ll want to remember forever. The images that result from your session then become timeless – you can print them and they will display well in any room of your home.
During the planning stage I will help you choose decor for the cake smash that is in line with a simple natural theme, like floral or woodsy, or with a particular colour or pattern scheme. I then add these subtle touches to customize both the set and the cake for your session. The set design and decor service and the cake are all included in your package. Check out my Pinterest board to see what’s inspiring me on the cake smash scene!

Oh, trust me, this Vancouver cake smash photographer knows good old separation anxiety all too well! Rest assured that wanting to be with a parent is completely normal and expected at this stage, and so I design my session flow around this fact. It is rare that a child is willing to sit in one spot with a cake for 20 minutes. Typically, a parent will place baby at the cake, while I will capture some moments (fast!), and within a few seconds, baby will crawl back to the parent. We take a few moments for a cuddle, then place baby back at the cake. We repeat this process until I’ve captured all the moments I need for a full and varied gallery.

There are a few kids who totally dig into the cake, sometimes face first! But really, the vast majority of kids are not interested in eating more than a few bites. In fact, some kids want nothing to do with the cake. This is normal! I am skilled and experienced with cake smashes, so rest assured that it takes just a fraction of a second while baby shows interest in the cake to capture a shot that looks like they are digging into the cake! We also hide some puffs or cheerios on the cake so babies will naturally reach out for those, again making it look like they’re grabbing and eating cake.

I look at each and every image I take at your session, and then hand select the best images. I am looking for images that genuine, of a high quality, and flattering to everyone in the photo. There will be a minimum of 60 images (30 for short sessions), so you can be assured you’re getting a great variety of poses, angles and storytelling moments.

The pandemic has certainly taught every Vancouver cake smash photographer how to offer sessions that check all the safety boxes! It goes without saying that the health and safety of both my family and yours is front and center in my mind at all times. I will be rescheduling your session if anyone in my household has displayed any symptoms related to the flu within 7 days of your session, while I also ask that you do the same. In addition, upon request, I can wear a mask during the session, and I practice very strict hand hygiene, sanitizing my hands several times before, during and after our session.

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