First-birthday cake smash
The confusion, the first careful poke, then the glorious, full-handed mess — a cake smash is pure one-year-old joy. We come to your home or venue, and if you add our full setup we bring the themed backdrop, balloons and props. You bring the cake.
We bring the setup to you
Rather than bring your one-year-old to a studio, we come to you — home is where they are most relaxed. Add our full cake smash setup and we arrive early to build a themed backdrop with balloons, a cake stand and props — or style it yourself and we simply photograph it. Either way, we send outfit guidance beforehand. Then we let your little one lead, and photograph the whole wonderful mess as it happens.
A cake smash is often part of a bigger first birthday — see our birthday celebrations page for full party coverage, or our family page for portraits with everyone together.
The careful first taste, then icing everywhere — exactly as it should be.
A little planning for a smooth session
Timing
We plan around naps and meals — a fed, rested baby is a happy one. Late morning is often the sweet spot.
The cake
You supply the cake (a soft sponge with plenty of icing smashes best). With our full setup, we handle the backdrop, props and cake stand.
Outfits
We send outfit guidance beforehand — and a change of clothes and a towel are always handy for afterwards.
No pressure
Some babies dive in, some take their time, some cry — all of it is part of the story, and it always makes lovely photographs.
Cake smash packages
A cake smash is photographed on our birthday packages — the same photographs at the same price. Add our full cake smash setup for €100, or arrange your own. We come to your home or venue; travel within Dublin is included, outside Dublin is quoted before you book.
A focused session for the smash itself — the first careful poke through to icing everywhere.
- Up to 1.5 hours coverage
- Up to 20 edited photographs
- Online download link
- Delivered within 2–3 weeks
Room for the smash, a bath-time clean-up and relaxed family portraits — or the party around it.
- Up to 2.5 hours coverage
- Up to 25 edited photographs
- Online download link
- Delivered within 2–3 weeks
The cake smash and the first-birthday party together, with a highlight video to relive it.
- Up to 3 hours coverage
- Up to 30 edited photographs
- Highlight video
- Online download link
- Delivered within 2–3 weeks
The whole first birthday, with a Cinematic Highlight Film to treasure.
- Up to 3 hours coverage
- Up to 40 edited photographs
- Cinematic Highlight Film (approx. 4–5 min)
- Online download link
- Delivered within 2–3 weeks
Full cake smash setup
We arrive early and build the whole scene at your home or venue, ready for that first poke of icing.
- Themed backdrop and balloon styling
- Props and a cake stand (you supply the cake)
- Outfit guidance before the day
Added to any package. Arranging your own setup? There's no setup charge.
Every delivered photograph is individually edited. Want more photographs? Extra edited photographs can be added to any package, extra time is €50 per hour, and A4 prints are €15 each. A 2–3 minute highlight film can be added to packages without video for €125.
Cake smash FAQs
No — we come to your home or venue, where your baby is most comfortable. With our full cake smash setup (+€100) we bring the backdrop, balloons, cake stand and props; you just supply the cake and the birthday star.
A soft sponge with plenty of icing is easiest for little hands to smash and looks great in photos. Keep it simple; the mess is the magic.
Completely normal, and not a problem. We never force it — we follow your baby's lead, give them time to warm up, and photograph the real reactions. Tears and hesitation make some of the most treasured images.
Yes. Just tell us when you enquire and we will plan time for relaxed photographs of everyone together as well as the smash itself — the longer packages leave the most room.
You might also be planning
Birthday Celebrations
Full party coverage for first birthdays, kids' parties and milestones.
Learn more →Family Photography
Relaxed family portraits across Dublin — lovely alongside a first birthday.
Learn more →Newborn Photography
Where it all began — gentle newborn sessions with Pravalika.
Learn more →Let's plan your cake smash
Tell us the date and where you'd like it, and we'll bring the setup to you.