Who Says Cakesmash Photos Are Only for One-Year-Olds?
When you hear “cakesmash photoshoot”, you probably picture a one-year-old sitting in front of a beautiful cake, exploring the icing with tiny fingers and eventually ending up covered in frosting from head to toe.
And yes, first birthdays are a wonderful occasion for a cakesmash session! But who says the fun has to stop there?
Three birthdays, three very different little personalities
For my own son, I’ve organised a cakesmash photoshoot for his first, second and third birthdays. And I fully intend to keep this little tradition going for as long as he lets me.
Looking back at those photos, what I love most is seeing how much he has changed from one year to the next. Not just in height or appearance, but in his personality, too.
At one, everything was new. The cake was something to explore, the texture was fascinating, and every little reaction was worth photographing.
At two, there was a little more confidence, a little more curiosity, and obviously a clearer idea of what to do with that cake!
By three, he had developed even more of his own personality, preferences and ways of doing things. The session became another little snapshot of who he was at that particular age.
The cake might be the common thread, but the memories are completely different every time.
Why stop at one?
The first birthday is often a milestone parents want to celebrate with photos, and understandably so. But the second and third birthdays are just as much a part of your child’s story.
Young children change so quickly. Their expressions, little habits, favourite things and ways of interacting with the world evolve from one year to the next. A cakesmash session is a fun way to capture a little piece of that stage in their lives.
And let’s be honest: there’s something lovely about having a series of birthday photos to look back on years later. You can compare how they looked, how they approached the cake, and how their personalities shone through at each age.
You don’t need a special reason to book a photoshoot beyond wanting to remember this time in your child’s life.
Every age brings its own kind of fun
A cakesmash session doesn’t have to look the same every year. Some children dive straight into the cake, while others prefer to take their time, inspect it carefully or enjoy a few bites without getting messy at all. And that’s perfectly fine!
The goal isn’t to make every child behave in a certain way or to recreate the same photos you’ve seen elsewhere. It’s about letting them explore at their own pace and capturing their genuine reactions.
Whether your little one is turning one, two, three or even older, we can create a session that suits their age and personality.
A little birthday tradition worth keeping
As a photographer, I love helping families preserve their memories. But as a mum, I also know how quickly these early years fly by.
That’s why I’ll keep organising birthday cakesmash sessions for my son for as long as he’s happy to join in. One day, we might look back at these photos together, laugh at the frosting-covered faces and remember all the little things that made each birthday special.
So, if you’ve missed the first birthday or simply never considered a cakesmash session beyond that milestone, don’t worry. It’s never too late to start your own tradition!
Planning a birthday celebration for your little one? I’d love to help you create a set of photos that captures their personality, whatever age they’re turning.
Get in touch to plan your cakesmash session in my Brussels photography studio.
