emmafay
P H O T O G R A P H Y
Minimalist Cake Smash Photography in Melbourne
A joyful, relaxed way to celebrate your baby’s first birthday
Cake smash sessions are full of movement, giggles, curiosity — and yes, sometimes a little chaos. Crawlers crawl, walkers walk, and no two babies experience their first birthday the same way.
These sessions are designed to embrace exactly that. With gentle guidance and a baby-led approach, we allow your little one to explore, play, and be completely themselves — while I take care of capturing the moments that matter most.
The Experience
Cake smash sessions are playful and energetic by nature. Some babies dive straight in, others take their time, and many are more interested in exploring the studio than the cake itself — and that’s perfectly okay.
With years of experience photographing little ones, I guide each session with ease, adapting to your baby’s personality and movement to create images that feel natural, joyful, and true to them.
There is no pressure for your baby to “perform” or sit still. The most meaningful images often come from the in-between moments — frosting-covered fingers, curious glances, and proud little steps.
What to Expect
Cake smash sessions are designed to be relaxed, playful, and completely led by your baby.
We begin with simple, timeless portraits before introducing the cake, allowing your baby time to explore, crawl, walk, taste, and play at their own pace. Some babies dive straight in, others take a little longer — both are perfect.
Sessions take place in my light-filled Rowville home studio and include gentle guidance throughout, so you never need to worry about what to do or how things should look. Every detail is considered, from styling to pacing, allowing you to simply enjoy watching your baby be themselves.
The result is a collection of images that feel joyful, expressive, and true to this stage of your baby’s life.
What's included?
Each cake smash session includes:
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Use of my neutral studio space
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Simple, timeless styling
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A cream covered semi-naked cake the perfect size for little hands
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A carefully curated selection of knitwear, cotton and linen outfits for bub as well as a gorgeous range of dresses for mum
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Time for portraits, playtime, cake smash, and clean-up moments
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A bubble bath following the cake
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A curated online gallery of professionally edited images to select from
What if my baby…
What if my baby is unsure of the cake?
That’s completely normal. Many babies take time to warm up, and some prefer to explore slowly. There’s no pressure to perform — I gently guide the session at your baby’s pace, allowing their personality to lead.
What if my baby doesn’t smile?
Of course we hope for smiles — and very often, they come. But babies experience new things in their own way. Some observe quietly, some concentrate deeply, and others save their smiles for later in the session. I allow time and space for your baby to warm up, capturing genuine expressions as they unfold, without pressure or expectation.
What if my baby just wants to crawl or walk?
Perfect. Cake smash sessions are active by nature, and I allow space for movement and exploration. These moments often result in the most natural and joyful photographs.
What if my baby doesn’t touch the cake?
That’s okay too. Some babies prefer bubbles, splashing, or simply watching. The session includes a variety of moments beyond the cake, so you’ll still have a beautiful, complete gallery.
What if it feels a bit chaotic?
That’s part of the magic. Cake smash sessions are fun, playful and sometimes a little messy — I’ll guide you throughout so it never feels stressful or rushed.
