Heather Toro Blog | March 2024

So many parents love the sweet tradition of cake smash photography for their baby’s first birthday! It’s cute and fun, and it makes for a memorable photo shoot you’ll cherish. But I’ll be the first to admit that it isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. There are many reasons why you might not want a typical cake smash photo session for your baby, but that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the fun! Check out these first birthday photo ideas.

Playdough Smash

Some parents want to steer clear of sweets and food altogether for their baby’s one-year photo shoot, and playdough is a fantastic choice. You can get it in any color you want based on the look you want for your baby’s portraits. Plus, it’s easier to clean up and you don’t have to worry about food allergies.

Spaghetti Smash

Maybe you like the idea of a messy food smash but you don’t want to encourage a sweet tooth. Why not try spaghetti? In a spaghetti smash, your baby has a blast digging into a plate of spaghetti. This is especially popular for families with Italian heritage that they want to celebrate. In fact, you can do similar photos with other foods from nearly any culture, like pho, rice, biryani, and so on.

Pie Smash

If your child has allergies that make cakes difficult or if you just prefer a different type of dessert, consider a pie smash. You can choose the type of pie based on the aesthetic you want, like a simple whipped cream pie for a fluffy white look or a pumpkin pie for a fall theme. Just keep in mind that some types of pies, like cherry and blueberry, will stain very easily, so those might not be the best choice.

Donut Smash

Another type of dessert that’s fun to smash is a donut. This is a unique twist on a cake smash and, like a pie, it’s easy to customize to the look you want.

Yogurt Smash

If you prefer a healthier choice than cake and other desserts, you might love a yogurt smash. You can make this as simple or as ornate as you want, from a plain bowl with perhaps fresh fruit on top to a lovely layered yogurt dish with several colors.

Sprinkles Smash

This is more of a “scatter” than a “smash,” but some babies love playing in a big bowl of sprinkles! They can dig their hands in and toss the sprinkles around the room, creating a bright and colorful aesthetic.

Designing Your Baby’s First Birthday Photo Session

Your baby only turns one once, so make it a memorable and enjoyable experience! There are so many ways to customize your baby’s one-year portraits, whether you do a traditional cake smash, one of the alternatives above, or a straightforward first birthday photo session without any type of “smash,” rest assured that I’ll make it a delight from start to finish. Contact Heather’d Violet Photography today to book your session.

I hope you found these alternative first-birthday photo ideas helpful.

Wooden blocks and cake stand are from Hobby Lobby

heather’d violet Photography is based out of Lafayette, Indiana, and is owned and operated by Heather Toro, who specializes in maternity and newborn photography. heather’d violet Photography serves Lafayette, Indiana, and all surrounding areas. Follow along on Instagram.