Celebrating Babies First Birthday
Written by Emma Williams — Newborn Safety & First Aid Certified Photographer,
Founder of Manawa Studio.
There is something wonderfully joyful about a baby's first birthday. A whole year of firsts has passed — first smiles, first cuddles, first foods, first adventures — and suddenly your tiny newborn is sitting in front of you, ready to celebrate one whole year of being themselves.
A Cake Smash session is a chance to have a little fun with that milestone while creating beautiful portraits you'll treasure long after the cake has been eaten. But if you've never experienced one before, you may have questions
- What should my baby wear?
- What sort of cake should I bring?
- What if they don't eat it?
- What happens if they become upset?
- And what on earth happens when everything gets messy?
Here's everything you need to know before your Cake Smash experience at MANAWA.
When Is the Best Time for a Cake Smash?
Cake Smash sessions are usually planned around your little one's first birthday, although there is some flexibility depending on your plans.
Some families choose to photograph their baby's first birthday shortly before the actual birthday, allowing time for photographs and artwork to be ready for their celebration. Others prefer to come in after the birthday itself and simply enjoy capturing this wonderful stage.
The most important thing is that your little one is comfortable sitting independently and is ready to interact with their surroundings.
Every baby approaches their first birthday differently. Some will dive straight into the cake, while others will look at it suspiciously for quite some time.
And that's absolutely fine.
What If My Baby Doesn't Eat Cake?
They don't have to. Some babies absolutely love cake. Others aren't remotely interested.
If your little one doesn't want to eat the cake, we can create the same wonderful experience using their favourite fruit and whipped cream instead.
This can be particularly lovely for babies who haven't had much cake before or simply prefer fruit. There is no pressure to make them eat something they don't want.
The joy of a Cake Smash isn't actually about how much cake disappears. It's about their curiosity, expressions, little hands, laughter and personality as they discover something new.
And sometimes, a baby looking at a cake as though we've completely lost our minds makes for a rather wonderful photograph too.
What If My Baby Gets Messy?
That's exactly what they're supposed to do. Cake Smash sessions are designed to be messy, and there is absolutely no need to worry about how you're going to get a cake-covered baby home.
MANAWA has a shower and bath available for your little one, allowing us to clean them up properly after the session.
Once the cake has been thoroughly investigated, we can get your little one cleaned up, changed and ready to head home. I'd recommend bringing a spare outfit and anything else your baby normally needs after a busy session.
Before the Cake Comes the Portraits
Although it's called a Cake Smash, we don't begin with the cake. Just like with a Little Sitters session, we take time to settle your little one into the studio first.
We'll allow them to become familiar with the surroundings, spend some time together and let them relax before we introduce anything new. Once they're comfortable, we begin with beautiful portrait photographs while they're clean, fresh and full of personality.
This gives us the opportunity to capture the birthday portraits you'll want to keep long after the cake has disappeared. We'll also photograph family and whānau, creating images that include the people who have been part of your little one's first year.
Then, once we've captured those portraits, we bring out the cake.
That's when the fun begins.
What Happens During the Cake Smash?
Every baby approaches the cake differently. Some immediately reach for it. Some poke it cautiously. Some are fascinated by the texture. Some want to taste everything. And some decide that the cake is far more interesting to play with than to eat.
There is no right way. I'll guide your little one through the experience, using the same approach I use throughout my sessions — allowing them to explore while gently encouraging their attention when needed.
The photographs capture the whole experience rather than just the moment they put their hands into the cake. The anticipation. The curiosity. The first touch. The expressions. The laughter. And, of course, the glorious mess.
What If My Baby Has a Bad Day?
Babies don't know they're supposed to have their photographs taken. They may be tired. They may be hungry.
They may be overwhelmed. Or they may simply decide that today isn't their day. That's okay.
We don't rush straight into the cake. Taking time to settle your little one at the beginning gives me the opportunity to understand their temperament and work out what makes them comfortable.
Sometimes a cuddle, a drink or simply a little time to look around is all that's needed. The experience should never feel like your baby has to perform for the camera.
What Should My Baby Wear?
We'll discuss styling before your session so that everything works beautifully together.
Your little one's outfit can be simple and timeless or something that reflects their personality and birthday. The important thing is that it photographs beautifully and allows them to move and explore comfortably.
And remember, there is going to be cake.
So while you may love the outfit, perhaps don't choose the one that would cause a family emergency if it became covered in frosting!
I'll help you consider the overall look of the session so that your baby, the backdrop and the finished artwork all work together.
Can We Have Family and Whānau Photographs?
Absolutely. Your baby's first birthday is a milestone for the whole family, so family and whānau photographs are an important part of the experience. We'll capture portraits of your little one on their own, as well as photographs with the people who have been part of their first year. These don't need to feel overly posed or formal. Some of the most meaningful photographs are simply the moments of connection between you and your child.
Can We Bring Something Special?
Of course. If there's something meaningful you'd like included, you're very welcome to bring it. Perhaps it's a favourite toy, a special birthday decoration, something from their nursery or a family keepsake. We'll look at everything together and decide where it might work naturally within the session. The aim isn't to fill the set with props. It's to include the things that have meaning to your family.
What Makes a Cake Smash Special?
The cake is fun. The mess is fun. But the real reason I love Cake Smash sessions is because they capture one year of becoming. A year ago, you were holding your tiny newborn. Now they're sitting in front of you with a personality of their own — curious, determined, cheeky, affectionate and completely unique.
Their little expressions.
Their laughter.
The way they look at you.
Their reaction to something completely new.
These are the things that make your child's first birthday theirs.
And while the cake will be gone by the end of the day, these photographs will allow you to return to this moment long after the first birthday has passed.
Creating a Story Through Your Photographs
For families who have photographed previous chapters with MANAWA, a first birthday can become another beautiful part of that visual story. Maternity. Newborn. Little Sitters. First Birthday.
Each stage is different, yet when those photographs sit together, you can see just how much your little one has changed. What was once a tiny newborn is suddenly celebrating their first birthday.
That's why I believe photography becomes even more meaningful when it is viewed as a collection of chapters rather than individual photographs.
Your First Birthday Experience at MANAWA
A Cake Smash session at MANAWA isn't simply about smashing a cake. It's about giving your little one time to settle, capturing their personality while they're clean and happy, bringing your family and whānau into the story, and then letting them explore and enjoy the cake in their own wonderfully unpredictable way.
Whether they dive straight in, carefully investigate every crumb or decide they'd rather enjoy their favourite fruit and whipped cream, we follow their lead.
There is no perfect way to do a Cake Smash. There is simply your little one, exactly as they are at one year old. And that is worth remembering. Because every chapter deserves to be remembered.
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About the Author
Emma is the photographer and founder behind MANAWA, based in Auckland, New Zealand. With over 20 years' experience photographing maternity, newborn, and family sessions, she is an award-winning photographer through the International Newborn Photography Competition and Awards (INPCA) and a regular contributing photographer for Bump, Baby & Beyond magazine. Emma's work is bold, soulful, and editorial — creating images designed to help every child feel they truly belong.
