All About Cake Smash Sessions | Roseville Cake Smash Photographer

All About Cake Smash Sessions | Roseville Cake Smash Photographer

Hey there! I’m Megan — your friendly Roseville cake smash photographer — and I’m here to spill all the tips, tricks, and behind-the-scenes secrets I use to make cake smash sessions magical (and stress-free).

Cake smashes are a favorite of mine, and yes, they’re most common around a baby’s first birthday, but they’re absolutely adorable for other milestone birthdays too. Let’s dive into how to prep, plan, and enjoy your little one’s cake smash.

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1. Choose a Theme You Love

You want photos that feel you. Whether your baby is obsessed with animals, nursery rhymes, bright colors, or a character you adore, pick a theme that speaks to your heart.

As a Roseville-based photographer, I keep a growing stash of backdrops and props. If you have a wild idea (like “woodland picnic meets butterfly garden”), I’ll go hunting for it. I want your vision, not just my catalog.

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2. Outfit Planning = Fun, but Flexible

Here’s one of my favorite parts: styling.

• If your theme is soft and elegant, maybe a diaper cover or a neutral romper is perfect.
• If you’re going bold (rainbows, safari, sea creatures), drop in a cute costume or themed onesie.
• It’s totally fine to bring two outfits: one for portrait-style shots, one for messier cake-happy photos.

We’ll use one outfit before the cake arrives, then switch for the actual smash. Best of both worlds.

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3. Timing Matters

Schedule your session close to your baby’s first birthday so they’re hitting those adorable developmental milestones. Crawling? Standing? Smiling? All of that is gold.

Also, leave enough buffer before any party or print deadlines so you’re not sweating over deliverables.

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4. Picking or Making the Cake

You can DIY or order — both work. Just a few pro tips:

• If you’re baking, do a test run once.
• Use soft frosting and bring the cake to room temp a few hours ahead (no one likes biting into cold, stiff frosting!).
• Simple “naked” cakes are beautiful, but if you want florals, drip details, or character toppers, I’m game.

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5. Prep Baby Ahead of Time

Just like anyone, babies might be unsure about cake until they’ve tasted texture. To make the day smoother:

• In the weeks leading up, introduce fun, squishy foods (yogurt, pudding, cool whip) so they’re comfortable touching and tasting.
• Practice letting them scoop foods with their hands — simple finger foods count!

This helps reduce the “What is this weird cake??” reaction.

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6. What to Bring with You

Here’s your short-but-critical checklist:

• The cake
• The outfit(s) & a change of clothes
• Baby’s favorite snacks (in case the cake isn’t “it” right away)
• Wipes (lots)
• A fresh shirt for you, because you’ll probably get messy too
• A towel or blanket for cleanup

I’ll handle the rest — lighting, backdrop changes, styling, capturing candid “oh my gosh that face” moments.

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7. Day-Of Tips (From Me to You)

• I’ll guide you through with direction, easing your baby into the cake.
• I’ll capture “warm-up” shots (without cake) so we have clean portraits too.
• We’ll let your baby take the lead — I’ll follow their cues and snap when the magic happens.
• My goal: you walk away feeling relaxed and like we just had a splashy, sweet playdate.

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8. After the Shoot

I’ll curate and edit your favorite images, deliver them in a beautiful gallery, and help you order archival prints or wall art. These aren’t just photos — they’re memories you’ll treasure.

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If you’re in Roseville or nearby and want a cake smash experience that feels personal, fun, whimsical, and totally you — let’s chat. Send me a message and we’ll start planning your baby’s big (sweetest) moment.

Want me to craft a custom version of this for your website, or adjust any section? I’m happy to tweak!

Megan Escheman is a premier portrait photographer serving the Greater Sacramento Area and beyond. Known for her timeless, printed artwork and unforgettable client experience, Megan specializes in newborn, cake smash, Senior, and family photography that captures life’s most meaningful moments.

Ready to turn your memories into heirloom-quality art?

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Megan is a photographer based in the Greater Sacramento Area, serving Northern California for all your photography needs. She specializes in newborn, children and family photography.  Contact Megan today!

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