First Birthday Cake Smash Photography

by Minneapolis Photographer, Lisa Poseley Photography

Celebrate Your Baby’s First Birthday with a Cake Smash Session

At Lisa Poseley Photography, we turn your baby’s first birthday into a fun and memorable celebration with our cake smash photography sessions. Whether you choose a quick 30-minute mini session or a longer, more detailed experience, we ensure that every moment is captured beautifully and stress-free.

What to Expect from Your Cake Smash Photo Session

Our birthday photo sessions are designed to feel like mini parties in the studio! Whether you opt for a simple 30-minute session with 1-2 outfits or a more elaborate setup with multiple outfits, balloon garlands, and family photos, we provide a detailed prep guide to help you arrive fully prepared. This guide is invaluable for ensuring that the session runs smoothly, making it a joyful experience for both you and your little one.

Children generally do very well during these sessions, especially at the one-year mark. We recommend planning the birthday session at least four weeks before the big day, allowing ample time for image selection and retouching, which typically takes 2-3 weeks depending on the number of images and products ordered.

Birthday Photo Session Options

Choose from the mini session for baby only or the full session to include parents and siblings done with multiple backdrops and more outfit changes.

Customizing Your Cake Smash Session

We believe in creating a personalized experience for each of our clients. While we recommend a balloon garland on a solid backdrop for a clean and timeless look, custom backdrops can be ordered for an additional fee. Please allow 2-3 weeks for custom backdrop orders.

During the pre-session consultation, we’ll work together to design your baby’s birthday photo session. Although the family provides the cake due to allergy concerns, we partner with the fantastic Girl Friday for balloon garlands. You can order directly from them, and we’ll coordinate pick-up and installation to ensure everything is perfect on the day of the session.

We also offer a selection of adorable outfits for your child to wear during the session (except for the cake smash portion). We’re happy to consult on style and wardrobe via email, phone, or text—whatever works best for you. Our studio is fully equipped with a dressing room, private parking, and a comfortable seating area for parents to relax and enjoy the session. Plus, there’s a wonderful coffee shop right across the street!

Included in Every Cake Smash Session

Every first birthday cake smash session with Lisa Poseley Photography includes the following:

Detailed Session Prep Guide:
Arrive at your session fully prepared, knowing exactly what to expect with our comprehensive prep guide.

Pre-Session Consultation:
We’ll discuss style, colors, and all the details during a consultation to ensure your session is tailored to your preferences.

Private Online Gallery:
After the session, you’ll have continual access to a private online gallery where you can view and purchase your favorite images.

Optional Virtual Ordering Appointment:
Lisa is available for a virtual ordering appointment to help you plan and select the perfect artwork from your session.

Birthday Photo Session Pricing

The birthday photo session requires a $650 session retainer at the time of booking to secure your date. The date can be adjusted at no charge. The retainer is applied in full towards your purchase from the session. Most clients invest $1200 to $3800 in their newborn photos.

How to Book Your Birthday Photo Session

Contact Us

Every great photo session starts with a conversation. Contact Lisa to learn more about our pricing and process and to check availability. The contact form is the fastest way to reach Lisa. You’ll receive an email right away to schedule a 15-minute Zoom call. If you prefer the phone just let us know!

Click Here to Contact Lisa

Purchase A Birthday Photo Session Online

Purchase your birthday photo session online below and we will follow up right away to select your session date.

Our PROCESS

  • I do love the initial consultation. It's a quick call/Zoom and a nice way to meet when choosing a photographer.

    Sessions start at $650 including the photo session and digital files. We also offer beautiful products like albums, prints, wall art, and gifts.

    The consult is the best way for Lisa to share all the session details and to understand your needs and goals from the photo session.

  • After the consultation we will send you a proposal to walk you through an easy online booking process.

    After booking you will receive a brief questionnaire, a session prep guide, and a link to your online portal where you can access invoices, emails, and prep guides.

  • In the studio, we have everything needed for your newborn and toddler sessions and many silks and dresses for your maternity session. We can have a call to plan your session and Lisa can advise on wardrobe.

  • I highly recommend that Mom has hair and makeup done for the session. Whether you go on your own or bring your stylist into the studio. For newborn sessions, Mom can be pampered and prep for family photos while we photograph the baby.

  • The day of the photo session should be fun and stress-free! Leading up you will have been given everything you need to prepare. Newborn sessions are baby-led so we take breaks as needed.

  • Within 10 days of your session your proofing gallery will be ready. Choose to have a gallery review and ordering session with Lisa via Zoom or view & select your images in an online private gallery.

    Digital image packages start at $650, there is no session fee, most clients invest $1500 or more. We also offer only the finest albums, prints, wall art, and other products.

  • Digital images will be retouched and available to download within two weeks of ordering. Any products ordered will be delivered to your home. Your private online gallery is available long term so you can download and share anytime!