As a cake smash photographer, I get asked the same questions all the time:
- “Which bakery do you order your cakes from?”
- “Why do you work with certain bakers but not others?”
- “Is the cake safe for my baby to eat?”
So I thought — OK, let’s write it all down. Whether you’re booking a cake smash session with me or planning your own DIY setup at home, here are the exact rules I personally follow when choosing a cake and a bakery for a cake smash session.
1. Certified & Insured — Non-Negotiable
It’s true that getting a home bakery license in Edmonton is easier than opening a restaurant. But that doesn’t mean everyone takes it seriously.
I don’t care if the bakery is famous or not, I actually love supporting small bakers just starting out. But if they don’t bother to get proper certification and insurance, that tells me they don’t fully care about their business and I’m not risking my clients’ babies on that.
Even if the cake looks amazing, no certificate = no thank you.
2. Consistency & Reliability Matter More Than Look
A cake smash is not just a cute first birthday session! For many of my clients, it’s literally their baby’s first birthday celebration. No only a milestone or a ritual but it’s moment to see how much my baby grow in a year. It can be a very emotial moment to wtch them smash a cake by their own little hand. There is no “oops sorry, maybe next week.”
So I only work with bakers who are:
- Reliable — Not canceling because they suddenly went on a trip
- Consistent — I don’t want one perfect cake and one disaster cake
As a human, I get it, life happens. But as a business owner serving families, I can’t gamble on someone’s “maybe.” So if you are palnning the first birthday cake smash session at home, I highly recommand you pick the bakery that you usually work with or that you know has a good reputation.
3. Customization Is a Must (No Cookie-Cutter Cakes!)
Most of my cake smash themes are fully custom, which means the cake is carefully designed to match the overall setup. I understand how meaningful those sweet, messy moments are—these are the photos parents will pull out and cherish even decades from now. That’s why I believe both the theme and the cake should feel personal and relevant to your baby, rather than coming from a random or meaningless concept. Every detail is thoughtfully chosen to create images that truly matter.
The bakery that I work with must treat their cake the same way as I did. So I know my client has a heartful and meaningful for their first birthday photos. Some bakers are amazing, I send them my draft and they instantly get it. Sometimes they even add better ideas than mine. When I feel their passion, I know I’m in the right place.
If a baker communicates well and enjoys being creative, that’s always a yes from me.
4. Buttercream vs Whipped Cream — A Real Thing!
Most parents don’t think about this, but it matters a lot!
You’ll usually see buttercream or whipped cream cakes from my cake smash portfolio. I’ve ordered both depending on the family’s preference, but here’s what I’ve learned:
- Whipped cream — light chiffon sponge cake covered in whipped cream. My personal favourite cake to use. Light, fluffy, every baby likes it. But it can melt quickly. I wouldn’t use it outdoors or with fancy decoration as it can be too soft. For indoor sessions, my bakery usually freezes it before I pick them up, so the cake has the perfect texture when I get to the studio.
- Buttercream — Holds shape even in the hottest summer. But honestly… it’s usually too hard for a one-year-old to smash. And it’s so heavy. Most babies take two bites and lost interest. I only recommend it when parents want more flavour inside the cake, or when I need it to hold a special decoration.
5. Check What’s Inside the Cake
Some bakeries use plant-based whipped cream (also called non-dairy whipped topping) to save cost, because it’s cheaper and doesn’t melt as fast. Yes, it’s stable, fluffy, and looks nice in photos. However I personally won’t use it for my clients’ babies. To me, it’s ultra-processed food, and even a small amount doesn’t feel healthy for a one-year-old.
So I highly recommend to ask your bakery what ingredients they use. We do cake smash sessions because at this age babies can start eating more things but that doesn’t mean we should throw everything at them. They are still very new to the food world.
When I choose a bakery, I always choose the ones that use simple, clean ingredients. In my opinion, a cake should only include:
Eggs, dairy, oil, flour, and maybe a little natural flavouring — nothing extra.
No artificial cream, no preservatives, no mystery powders. If I don’t understand the ingredient list, I don’t use it.
6. Avoid Hard Decorations
I always tell my clients : a fancy cake does not equal a good photo ready cake.
Firstly, in photos, we focus on the baby, not the cake details. Secondly, your one-year-old gets distracted very easily. If there are toys, fondant sculptures, or crazy details on top, they’ll grab those decrations instead of smashing the cake.
Some bakers even put plastic toys on top. Cute, yes. Your baby will also hold that toy in the rest of the session, and trust me no one will take it back.
7. Don’t Go Bigger Than 6”
Bigger cake does not mean better photos. My go-to size is 6 inches, and if it’s buttercream, I sometimes even request 5” or 4” — because those cakes are usually taller. It can add the size visully.
Your baby is still tiny. If the cake is too big, it looks like a wedding cake beside them. A smaller cake is easier for baby to reach, smash, and it just looks cuter in photos.
Final Thoughts: Pick a Cake That’s Smashable, Safe, and Simple
At the end of the day, your cake smash cake doesn’t need to be Pinterest-perfect. It needs to be:
✅ Safe to eat
✅ Easy and safe to smash
✅ Not distracting
✅ Matching your baby’s personality and theme
If you’re booking a cake smash session with me, don’t stress! Your cake is included in my cake smash packages! If you’re DIY-ing at home, start with these tips and you’ll be way ahead already! To save your a lot of work and make this moment perfect, contact me today and let me custmize the cake smash session for your Little One!
Samantha, the visionary behind Little One Photography, is a passionate photographer with a special gift for capturing the essence of newborns and families. As an awarded newborn photographer, she has honed her craft to create timeless, emotive portraits that families cherish for generations. Samantha’s warm personality and patient approach put even the tiniest clients at ease, allowing her to capture genuine moments of connection and love.
