Daniel’s 1st Birthday Cake Smash session in Torrance

A first birthday cake smash session with some family fun! This photoshoot actually marked my first cake smash session since I started photographing families professionally. From wanting to have the opportunity to actually shoot this session, what I have learned is the key to collaboration. 

Parents with a 1 year old often choose to go with a photographer that has all the props and outfits ready for that picture-perfect setting. Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with that decision! It is hassle-free and easy on the parents, especially when they already have to deal with the 1 year old. They must have been tired and exhausted from their first year of nursing, the last thing they want to think about is probably putting together a party. But guess what? It’s just the beginning of it all, there will be so many more birthdays to come.

As a creator myself, I like to put my hands to work (sometimes too much), but the process of picking and choosing for the idea you’ve pictured, and seeing it all come to life is something you can’t really buy. With that in mind, I know how important the first birthday photoshoot is to the parents, and want to make sure I can get the parents involved in some way or another. Afterall, these are memories primarily for the parents, so why not let them have a creative part in the photos as well? 

I am very grateful to all the trust this family had put on my creative skills. We picked a local neighborhood park. The Mom came prepared with a cake that she baked herself, and Dad made sure we had all the props transported to our photo spot safely. I always love to repurpose things I already own, it is no different for these props the parents had prepared. I made sure I remind them to gather items they can reuse in the near future, or simply include items that already belong in their home, such as stuffed animal toys, to give a suggestion of personality. There were a few other props I brought along with me to elevate the scene a little for their photos, and here are the results!