
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.

Questions to ask yourself before choosing a theme
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Am I going to display these images in my home? Or in the baby’s nursery? If so, what colors would compliment the decor?
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Do I want to match my baby’s birthday party theme or should I do something different?
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Do you already have an outfit picked out?
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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!


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
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Your favorite hobby: golf, surfing, shopping, going to the movies
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Your favorite sport or team: football, baseball, soccer, hockey, gymnastics, martial arts
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A favorite movie or TV show: Star Wars, Harry Potter, Doctor Who, Game Of Thrones, Batman


No theme, just a color scheme

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!


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.
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Christmas
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Easter
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Valentines Day
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Cinco De Mayo
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4th of July
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Winter ONEderland
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Fall: leaves, pumpkins
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Spring: garden, florals
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St. Patty’s Day
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Halloween
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New Years






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!
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Fruit smash: watermelon, strawberries, avocado
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Doughnuts: “Donut grow up”
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Spaghetti
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Tacos
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Pancakes
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Cookies & milk


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!