DIY Cake Smash Photoshoot at Home: Step-by-Step for Studio-Ready Results

A cake smash photoshoot is a fun way to celebrate your baby’s first birthday. It is not only about the photos, but getting the personality, the laugh, and that once-in-a-lifetime milestone. Even though most families visit a studio, parents are opting to DIY themselves.

It is intimate, practical, and budget-friendly. With the right setup, you don't need a professional studio in order to have amazing, pin-up worthy cake smash photographs.

What Is a Cake Smash Photoshoot?

A cake smash photoshoot is a fun photo shoot where a baby (who is typically on the verge of their first birthday) is given the opportunity to dig into, taste and smash a cake whilst every ugly, cute second is photographed.

It is all about milestone memories where you have photos that demonstrate the personality of your child as he or she grows. The informal arrangement is natural and entertaining, and the choice of creative themes, props, and colors will make every session special.

🌸 Turn every cake smash into a sweet memory that lasts forever ➜

How to DIY a Creative Cake Smash Setup at Home

To create a memorable cake smash photo-shoot you do not have to have a professional studio. You can easily transform any area of your house into a sunny playful environment using a few easy steps and that too would make a photo ready.

Here’s how to set up a clean, artistic scene and make it easy to manage and guarantee to deliver cute first birthday cake smash photos.

Step 1: Hang the Backdrop Smoothly

Backdrop can instantly make your room look like a studio. Choose the one that best suit your theme for example rustic wooden, light pastels, balloons or even the smashing the cake background of a custom cake.

Attach it with the help of clamps, stand or very strong taping and eliminate wrinkles to provide it with a smooth appearance. And, in case, you do not have a stand, do not worry, there are also several ways to hang a backdrop on a wall without a stand.

Step 2: Place a Protective Floor Mat

Cake smash photo could be very messy- it is the best thing about it! Place a floor mat, which is a vinyl or PVC cover, to gather crumbs and frosting of a cake. It fixes your floor and it is simple to clean it up. On another occasion, you will be happy when frosting does not fall in your carpet or wooden floors.

Step 3: Arrange Key Props

Props bring personality to your cake smash photo shoot. First start with the simple ones: a firm cake stand to place emphasis on the cake and a small stool/chair in case you want to have both sitting shots and standing shots.

Add next the milestone information like cutouts, plush toys or favourite characters. In order to fill the setting, add some scatter balls, and soft fabrics or fake greenery. It only takes a few props and you get the feeling that you have just taken a picture of your cake in a studio.

🌟 Style your backdrop with playful props ➜

Step 4: Light the Scene Evenly

Lighting can make a significant difference in your cake smash photo shot. Where possible, take advantage of natural light through a window, and put some light muslin curtains in order to diffuse any shadow. Shooting in golden hour, the hour after sunrise or before sunset, gives an artificial glorification.

In case you own studio lights, you should put softbox lights in either side of your setting. Adjust them in such a way that the face of your baby is properly illuminated, so that you do not have those ugly shadows distracting the focus off those adorable, sloppy faces.

Step 5: Refine and Add Space to Baby

Always do a glance through your camera first to ensure that the background, props and the angles are all correct. Ensure that you leave a wide area so that your baby crawls, sits and moves freely. Have wipes, towels and spare outfit nearby, you will need all these when the smashing starts!

3 Most Popular DIY Cake Smash Setups to Spark Your Infant Photography

Looking for ideas to create your cake smash scene? The following are three setups that can be easily created at home so that you can have a professional and polished finish on your photos.

1. Colors Ballon Party Backdrop Setup

Make a whimsical and romantic impression with the use of soft balloon arch in pastel colors, covered with gold stars and dots. Keep the space light and open using a white vinyl carpet and light walls. The soft lighting is used to make out all the details. To make the setup even more festive and special, you may add such touches as big "ONE" letters and a small rocking chair.

What You Will Need in this Scene

• Rainbow Balloons Garland Backdrop

• White Vinyl Floor Mat

• Iron Magnetic Strip

• White "one" LED Light

2. Soft Pastel Drapes Backdrop Setup

Bring in blush-pink hanging pastel ribbons and one or two touches of gold so as to create a soft, boho appearance. To create a lighthearted and joyful atmosphere, add balloons in the light lavender, pearl blue, and blush colors. This is an ideal setup with babies who are best dressed in soft, intermingling colours and prefer light, dreamy ambience.

What You Will Need in this Scene

• Pastel Draped Curtain Backdrop

• White Vinyl Floor Mat

• Photography Backdrop Stand Kit

• Wooden Ladder Prop

3. Rustic Pumpkin Garden Backdrop Setup

The large wooden panel doors and wrought-iron-setting arch with trees and greenery make up quite a farmhouse atmosphere. Use soft orange, blush pink and creamy white pumpkins to add that feel of autumn. Add depth and texture to the set by using layered clothes, lanterns, and leaves. The style produces a fall like appearance that is rich and very beautiful on photos.

What You Will Need for this Scene

• Rustic Pumpkin and Floral Backdrop

• White Vinyl Floor Mat

• Adjustable Photography Backdrop Stand

Effortless All-in-One Cake Smash Photo Kits to Streamline Your Session Workflow

The easiest solution to achieve a result that can be brought into the studio at home is by purchasing an all-in-one cake smash kit. Such settings are easy to build, designed with equal colors and made such that the background and the prop compliment each other.

What you end up with is a refined, business-like look, which leaves your baby in the center of every photograph.

Blue Boho Cake Smash Photo Kit

Blue Boho Cake Smash Photo Kit is bohemian in style with soft blue color. The props fit the backdrop well and you get a simple and clean setup. It is perfect on baby boys, and it can be used to get some wonderful milestone shots that look natural and modern.

💙 Create a dreamy blue cake smash setup in minutes ➜

Donut Cake Smash Photo Kit

Donut Cake Smash Photo Kit is colorful, light, and pointless. The use of donuts, props and corresponding backdrop color, produces a fun and festive atmosphere that is immediately celebratory. Perfect to baby girls, it prepares them to have joyful first birthday memories.

Explore more styles in the full Kate photo kit collection.

🎀 Set up a colorful donut wonderland for your baby ➜

Celebrate Sweet Moments Right at Home

Cake smash photography is popular at home since it is intimate, imaginative, and not difficult to achieve with the appropriate equipment. Whether you are doing a custom backdrop set up or a premade photo kit you can have a studio quality shot without stepping out of your home.

If you are planning to make your baby in a stylish way to celebrate his or her milestone, then visit the entire cake smash collection to select the best fit for your session.