At JaNa Photography Studio in Vancouver, we recently had one of the most adorable cake smash photography sessions with a baby boy who completely stole our hearts! His parents chose our forest theme, one of our most loved setups, and it turned out to be the perfect choice for this milestone session. The soft earthy tones, cozy setup, and warm lighting made everything feel natural, timeless, and beautifully organic just like a sweet adventure in the woods.
From the moment this little one arrived, we could tell it was going to be a fun day. His bright smile and happy giggles filled our studio. Some babies take a little time to warm up to the camera, but not this one he was ready to charm us right away!
📸 Starting with Family Portraits
We always begin our cake smash sessions with a few family portraits. These early shots capture the loving connection between parents and their little one and it’s a great way to help the baby feel relaxed and comfortable in front of the camera.
The family wore soft, natural tones that perfectly complemented our forest theme backdrop. We took some heartwarming moments of mom cuddling her baby boy, dad’s gentle laughs, and the three of them together, full of love and joy.
After that, we moved on to some solo portraits before introducing the cake. We always recommend starting with portraits when the baby is fresh, happy, and full of energy. These pre-cake photos show their beautiful expressions and personality before things get messy in the cutest way possible!
🎂 The Cake Smash — Let the Fun Begin!
Once we captured enough sweet and clean portraits, it was time for the main event the cake smash! Our star of the day was already smiling ear to ear, and when we brought out the simple white cake, he couldn’t resist.
The sugar magic worked perfectly! Within minutes, he was laughing, clapping, and smashing the cake with excitement. Frosting on his hands, toes, and cheeks — it was pure happiness all around. His parents were laughing nonstop, and our studio was filled with joy.
The cake itself was simple just a plain white cake with soft icing — and it was perfect. Many parents assume they need to bring a fancy or expensive cake for the photoshoot, but the truth is: simple cakes work best. Let’s talk about a few important tips for parents planning a cake smash session.
💡 Tips for Parents Before a Cake Smash Session
1️⃣ Keep the Cake Simple and Soft
You don’t need to spend a lot of money on a fancy designer cake. In fact, we actually recommend the opposite! Choose a simple, light, and inexpensive cake that your baby can easily break apart. Babies love exploring textures, and the joy of the session comes from them playing freely — smashing, squishing, and tasting the cake.
Expensive cakes often have hard fondant or thick layers that make them difficult to smash. A soft, fluffy cake with gentle icing is the best choice for adorable messy shots!
2️⃣ Choose Light and Neutral Colors
Another important tip is to choose light or pastel colors for the cake. If the cake is dark or has strong, saturated colors (like bright red, blue, or green), it can easily stain your baby’s face, hands, and even toes. This might sound fun at first, but it can actually affect the final photos — as those deep colors can leave strong marks that are hard to edit out.
Neutral shades like cream, beige, ivory, or pale yellow photograph beautifully and keep the focus on your baby’s joyful expressions.
3️⃣ Test for Allergies or Sugar Sensitivity
Every baby is different, and some may react to sugar or icing ingredients. Before your cake smash day, try giving your baby a small taste of icing at home to ensure there’s no allergic reaction.
Sometimes, even mild sugar sensitivity can cause your baby’s face to turn red or develop a rash — which is something you definitely want to avoid during the photoshoot. A quick check ahead of time will help ensure a smooth and happy session.
4️⃣ Perfect Timing — Around 11 Months Old
We recommend scheduling your cake smash photoshoot when your baby is around 11 months old. This timing works wonderfully because:
- Your baby’s photos will be ready in time for their first birthday celebration.
- They’re still young enough to sit comfortably and explore without running away from the set!
- It’s the perfect stage to capture their curiosity, joyful reactions, and those once-in-a-lifetime “first birthday” smiles.
As babies get older and start walking, cake smash sessions can become a little more challenging — since they often prefer to explore rather than sit still!
🌿 Why Choose JaNa Photography for Cake Smash Sessions
At JaNa Photography, we specialize in newborn, baby, and cake smash photography in Vancouver and across the Lower Mainland — including Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, Coquitlam, and North Vancouver.
Our cozy studio at 2465 Kingsway, Vancouver is fully equipped with themed setups, professional lighting, and everything needed to make your baby’s session relaxed and enjoyable. Whether you love natural tones, elegant backdrops, or playful themes like our popular forest setup, we make sure every detail feels personal and beautiful.
Parents love that we handle everything — from the props and outfits to the cleanup afterward. You can simply come in, enjoy the moment, and leave with a collection of timeless memories to cherish forever.
🧁 The Forest Theme — Timeless and Natural
Our forest cake smash theme is a favorite among families who love a natural and earthy style. It features soft greens, warm browns, and gentle light — giving the feeling of being outdoors while staying cozy in the studio.
For this session, the combination of the baby’s joyful personality, the simple white cake, and the natural decor made every photo absolutely stunning. His laughter, the little frosting on his cheeks, and the way he smashed the cake were moments that his parents will treasure for years to come.
💬 Final Thoughts
Cake smash photography isn’t just about cute pictures — it’s about celebrating your baby’s very first birthday in the most joyful way. It captures their curiosity, innocence, and playfulness, freezing that milestone moment forever.
If you’re looking for a cake smash photographer in Vancouver, Burnaby, Surrey, Richmond, or North Vancouver, we’d love to help you plan the perfect session for your little one.
Each session at JaNa Photography is designed to be fun, comfortable, and stress-free for both parents and babies. We create setups that match your style, guide you through the process, and deliver stunning, professional images that you’ll treasure for a lifetime.
🎉 Ready to Book Your Cake Smash Session?
Book your cake smash photoshoot today with JaNa Photography Vancouver! Whether you’re celebrating your baby’s first birthday or just want to capture those once-in-a-lifetime giggles, we promise a beautiful, memorable experience.
📍 JaNa Photography Studio
2465 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC
Serving clients from Richmond, Burnaby, Surrey, Coquitlam, and North Vancouver
📧 DM us or visit janaphotography.ca to inquire and reserve your session today!