A Sweet & Simple Floral Cake Smash | Today’s Session Recap

Today’s session was with a returning client, which made it extra special. I first photographed Ellianna for her maternity session last year in January, and last month, she reached out to me about setting up a session for her daughter’s one-year milestone and cake smash session.

Planning the Session

Ellianna sent me some Pinterest inspiration photos of floral setups, and when she saw my Studio Red Floral Arch backdrop up for my Valentine’s Minis, she fell in love with it. I realized I had another backdrop with the same print, but it was way too big, so I ended up ordering a 5x9 sweep, which turned out to be perfect for kids under four feet tall. She wanted a simple floral theme, and I think it turned out beautifully.

Setting Up the Studio

For this session, I provided the backdrop, lighting, and space, while Ellianna brought a big number one balloon, a cake, and some adorable outfits for her little one. She also agreed to model for me for my upcoming Mommy & Me promo session, so I had that backdrop set up as well, using the Elora Spring Arch Left backdrop.

Honestly, I’ve noticed that with Baby Dream Backdrops, you either go all out with props or none at all there’s really no in-between. These backdrops are so detailed that you don’t need much extra, and today’s setup was the perfect example of that. If you’re looking for high-quality backdrops, you can use my code SAVANNAH50 for 50% off all Baby Dream Backdrops!

Camera & Lighting Setup

I shot today’s session on my Canon R6 Mark II with a 50mm lens. My normal settings are 1/125 shutter, f/4, ISO 100, but today I adjusted it to 1/125 shutter, f/2.8, ISO 100 for a softer look.

For the little one’s solo photos, I kept it simple with one umbrella light, which lit up the whole scene perfectly. When it came time for the Mommy & Me session, I added a second light on camera-right as the key light and another in the back for a slight hair rim. You couldn’t see the rim light too much, but it worked well, and I loved the final look.

The Session Experience

The timing for today’s session worked out perfectly. I actually got to the studio early to do a full session for myself and take photos of a backdrop I needed for another project. Before I left my house, Ellianna messaged me saying she’d do the promo session, but a little later than planned because she still needed to shop for outfits. Since I was in no hurry, I told her it was totally fine.

While I waited, I grabbed something to eat, set up my backdrops, and got a couple of content shots for myself. Then, once they arrived, everything flowed seamlessly.

Ellianna mentioned that her daughter hadn’t napped yet and was feeling a little exhausted, so I was slightly nervous about how it would go. But honestly? She did amazing. We got her smiling, sitting in the chair, standing up, and just being her adorable self.

Then, when it was time for the Mommy & Me portion, I had them pose in front of the new Elora Spring Arch Left backdrop for my mini session promos. Every single shot turned out gorgeous. My camera could not take a bad photo!

For the cake smash, she was completely into it! She loved it, and we were all just laughing and enjoying the moment. Once she started crawling all over, making a mess, we knew it was time to wrap up. They cleaned her up while I put the cake back in the box and started tidying up the space. It was such a fun, stress-free session, and even though Ellianna was worried about the timing, I kept reassuring her that there was no reason to feel rushed and that my whole day was dedicated to this session.

The Final Results & Takeaways

The images turned out absolutely gorgeous. I don’t think I took a single bad photo! I loved working with this age group because they’re still in that sweet spot of being happy and engaged but not yet running away.

I sent a sneak peek of her daughter sitting in the chair, but I didn’t want to give too much away before her birthday. I also showed a couple of the Mommy & Me shots, which I’ll be posting in the next few days. Tomorrow, I’ll finish up her gallery and send it off. I can’t wait for them to see the full sets, just too cute!

What I’d Do Differently Next Time

If I continue doing more cake smash sessions, I’d love to invest in:

   More versatile backdrops for babies (that 5x9 size is perfect).

   A proper cake stand to elevate the setup.

   A better clear vinyl floor mat to protect the backdrop while keeping everything looking clean.

   A fun playlist for babies to keep them entertained.

   A zoom lens (like my 24-70mm) for a little more flexibility instead of only using my 50mm.

The Most Special Part of Today

For me, the best part wasn’t just how great the photos turned, but it was seeing the growth in my relationship with Ellianna. I remember she was a little shy during our first session, and this time, she was more open and talkative. It was so nice getting to know her again and meeting her little one.

That’s what I love most about photography it’s not just about taking pictures. It’s about building connections, watching families grow, and being part of these special moments. Today was a reminder of why I do what I do, and I absolutely loved it.