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How To Choose A Theme For Your Cake Smash Portraits

Your baby is turning one! And what better way is there to celebrate this journey into toddlerhood than with a cake smash photo session, styled just for you. But how do you even begin to choose a theme for such a special occasion? It’s easy to fall down the Pinterest rabbit hole where suddenly inspiration turns into overwhelm.

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So, I’ve put this guide together to help you narrow your focus and choose a theme that is perfect for your sweet, unique baby.

 

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Questions to ask yourself before choosing a theme
 

  • Am I going to display these images in my home? Or in the baby’s nursery? If so, what colors would compliment the decor?

  • Do I want to match my baby’s birthday party theme or should I do something different?

  • Do you already have an outfit picked out?

  • What are some recurring themes in our life that have special meaning?
     

There are many things to think about when choosing a cake smash theme that is unique to you. The following list will go through some ideas that will hopefully get the wheels turning. I’ve also added a great variety of images from some of my favorite cake smash themes. Remember, don’t be afraid to get creative!

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Parents Choice
 

One of the great things about choosing a first birthday theme is that you are in full control. After this point, the kids typically have a bigger role in choosing their birthday theme, so this is your time to shine! I jokingly tell my clients that the first birthday is really about you. So have fun with it!

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  • Your career: chef, banker, firefighter, football player, teacher, hairstylist

  • Your favorite hobby: golf, surfing, shopping, going to the movies

  • Your favorite sport or team: football, baseball, soccer, hockey, gymnastics, martial arts

  • A favorite movie or TV show: Star Wars, Harry Potter, Doctor Who, Game Of Thrones, Batman

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No theme, just a color scheme

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Not every session has to be “themed,” we can go more simplistic and choose a fun color scheme. It could be colors that match baby’s nursery, colors to match your home decor or just fun colors that you love seeing together! Pink & gold is currently very trendy, as is blue & grey.

Consider choosing colors that are opposite one another on the color wheel. Blue and yellow look amazing together both in pastels and bold colors. Pink and green have a very summery feel and primary colors (red, yellow, and blue) always look fun together! You might even consider doing all of the colors… in a pastel or bright rainbow theme!

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Seasonal themes
 

This one is fairly easy if baby was born around a holiday or season that you love to celebrate! Winter ONEderland and blush and gold fall themes are especially trendy. There are so many ways to personalize a holiday theme. For example, you could do a classic Christmas set with candy canes and Santa hats or you could have fun with a Buddy The Elf theme! Halloween has endless variety as well.

  • Christmas

  • Easter

  • Valentines Day

  • Cinco De Mayo

  • 4th of July

  • Winter ONEderland

  • Fall: leaves, pumpkins

  • Spring: garden, florals

  • St. Patty’s Day

  • Halloween

  • New Years

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Not a cake!
 

Cake smashes are certainly the most popular, but there are lots of really fun ideas for a smash session without a cake as well!

  • Fruit smash: watermelon, strawberries, avocado

  • Doughnuts: “Donut grow up”

  • Spaghetti

  • Tacos

  • Pancakes

  • Cookies & milk

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Planning your custom cake smash set will be so much fun!
 

Remember to book your cake smash session in advance. 4-8 weeks out is ideal for a custom set and the more time we have to plan, the better! Weekends fill up months in advance, but weekday availability is much more open.

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I hope this guide has been helpful for you and I can’t wait to hear all about what theme you chose for your little one’s first birthday cake smash session!

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