What to do for a first birthday session instead of a cake smash

first birthday session with nautical themed

I’m sure you’ve seen cake smash photos everywhere, from Pinterest to Facebook to Instagram. These photos are super fun to do, but they’re not for everyone, and there are many ways to celebrate your child’s first birthday with a professional photo session that don’t involve cake.

Maybe your child has food allergies or just isn’t super into sweets. Maybe you want images that better represent your child’s personality and life or that mean more to your family. If that’s the case, or if you just aren’t into the cake smash, here are some other food ideas for having messy fun without frosting!

Spaghetti is one of the most fun foods to watch little ones eat, and it makes for great photos! Plus, you can choose how much sauce you add and have a little more control over how messy things get.

If you’re a little more health-conscious or your child just loves fresh fruit, why not choose a watermelon or a variety of fruits? This option is just as colorful as cake but makes your images a little more unique. You can even choose fruits based on the time of year, giving your photos a great seasonal feel!

Who doesn’t love a good taco? Add in a piñata and some festive decorations, and this theme can be super fun! Just keep in mind that tacos can be pretty messy too.

If your child’s birthday falls around the holidays, a gingerbread house can be a great alternative to a cake smash! This option gives your little one more pieces to play with, but still all that sugary goodness.

Nothing says summer like a popsicle! If you’re looking for a really colorful theme, popsicles are the perfect warm weather choice. Not only do these sweet treats make for fun photos, but they can also feel good on your little one’s gums and help soothe them during the session.

Not into popsicles? Go for a different cold treat with an ice cream sundae! You get all the messy fun of a cake smash, plus ice cream makes for an adorable theme for your photo shoot.

Add some variety to your images with donuts instead of cake. Go for different icing colors and flavors to add interest to your images-and to see what donut is your child’s favorite!

Whether you prefer pancakes or waffles, breakfast food can make for a fun, unique first birthday session. After all, it’s the most important meal of the day!

The best way to choose an alternate food for your child’s first birthday photo session is to choose what they love eating most. Using their favorite food will encourage your little one to jump right in and allow your photographer to capture some amazing images!

Have some ideas or want to ask some questions? Feel free to contact us below so that we can plan the perfect session for you!