Simple Sophistication

Newport Beach, CA & Gilbert, AZ • Sessions by appointment only

First Birthday Cake Smash Photography – Baby Girl

09.24.17

First Birthday Cake Smash Photography

Sometimes less is more for a first birthday cake smash photography session! Ava’s parents wanted a simple theme with some touches of color in the background. The studio is stocked with almost every color combination imaginable for first birthday cake smash photography. French’s Cupcake Bakery provides cakes for all of or 1st birthday sessions. We can always count on them to come up with something cute and messy!

5 tips for a successful First Birthday Cake Smash Photography Session

Come up with a cute set theme or color scheme – Our Pinterest board is full of ideas!
Have a trial run at home before your session date. (Some babies aren’t sure about messy fingers)
Bring at least three different outfits for the shoot. This is a fun (but messy) session!
Does your one year old have a favorite song? Sometimes distractions are a great motivator!
Don’t stress if your baby isn’t loving the cake. Get in the photo and have some fun with them!

About our studio

Gilmore Studios is a husband and wife team maternity, newborn, children and family photography studio in Orange County, CA. Contact us for more info about booking your studio or on location session in the Southern California area. Brian and Jennifer Gilmore specialize in studio & natural light photography in Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, Corona Del Mar, Laguna Beach, Dana Point, Huntington Beach, and surrounding areas in OC and Los Angeles, CA. Call 949-698-3968 or email us to book your summer and fall 2017 photography sessions. Cake smash sessions are $250 and by reservation only.

Cake Smash Slideshow

All cake smash sets are custom built to the client’s theme or color scheme and include a cake. Please allow at least 2 weeks for set design. We are always up for a new challenge- let’s hear your ideas! Contact us

by GilmoreTags: 1st birthday, 1st birthday cake smash, baby's first birthday cake, birthday cake design, cake smash photo studio, cake smash portrait, first birthday party, Frenchs Cupcake Bakery, girls, girls 1st birthday, girls cake smash, Newport Beach cake smash, smash cake session

Meet the Gilmores:

Gilmore Studios serves Orange County, Los Angeles, and Phoenix. We specialize in wedding photography, family portraits, newborn and branding photography. Our studio has been in business since 2002.

Fun Facts:

PLace we call home:

Newport Beach & Queen Creek

Number of kids:

3 boys

Years in business:

Since 2002

As seen in:

Cake Smash

Featured On the blog

Simple Sophistication

We are on Instagram

Top locations in Arizona for a senior session 👀

And each one gives you a completely different look.

Riparian Preserve
Greenery, paths, variety, and softer natural tones.

Queen Creek Fields
Open space, warm light, and that dreamy golden hour look everybody loves.

Queen Creek Wash
More texture, desert tones, and a slightly edgier feel.

Here’s how I help seniors choose:
We don’t just pick a location because it’s pretty. We pick one that fits your outfits, personality, and the overall vibe you want your photos to have.

Because location changes EVERYTHING.

Save this for your senior photo inspo later
Which one would you choose?

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Top locations in Arizona for a senior session 👀

And each one gives you a completely different look.

Riparian Preserve
Greenery, paths, variety, and softer natural tones.

Queen Creek Fields
Open space, warm light, and that dreamy golden hour look everybody loves.

Queen Creek Wash
More texture, desert tones, and a slightly edgier feel.

Here’s how I help seniors choose:
We don’t just pick a location because it’s pretty. We pick one that fits your outfits, personality, and the overall vibe you want your photos to have.

Because location changes EVERYTHING.

Save this for your senior photo inspo later
Which one would you choose?

Senior 📸
Class of 2026
by Gilmore Studios

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Senior 📸
Class of 2026
by Gilmore Studios

Do you have a personality portrait hanging in your home? 🤍

It’s not about perfect smiles or matching outfits.

It’s about capturing who your child actually IS right now.

Their expressions.
The way they laugh.
Their personality in this exact season of life.

I started doing these with my own kids and honestly… they’ve become some of my favorite things hanging in our home.

I update them yearly and one day, my plan is to have their future family personality photo hanging on the wall.

These aren’t just photos for now.

They become part of your family story.

Personality Portrait Sessions are available May 12th through June.

Comment PERSONALITY and I’ll send you all the information, available dates, and booking link directly in your DMs.

20 4

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Do you have a personality portrait hanging in your home? 🤍

It’s not about perfect smiles or matching outfits.

It’s about capturing who your child actually IS right now.

Their expressions.
The way they laugh.
Their personality in this exact season of life.

I started doing these with my own kids and honestly… they’ve become some of my favorite things hanging in our home.

I update them yearly and one day, my plan is to have their future family personality photo hanging on the wall.

These aren’t just photos for now.

They become part of your family story.

Personality Portrait Sessions are available May 12th through June.

Comment PERSONALITY and I’ll send you all the information, available dates, and booking link directly in your DMs.

Prom fashion in 2026 just hits different.

The colors.
The textures.
The dresses with movement.
The perfectly fitted suits.

And somehow every friend group has their own vibe this year.

Honestly? Prom photos have turned into full-on fashion shoots and I’m not mad about it.

Save this for prom inspo later

26 4

Open post by gilmorestudios with ID 17885787099539665

Prom fashion in 2026 just hits different.

The colors.
The textures.
The dresses with movement.
The perfectly fitted suits.

And somehow every friend group has their own vibe this year.

Honestly? Prom photos have turned into full-on fashion shoots and I’m not mad about it.

Save this for prom inspo later

Unique locations for a senior session.

If you want your photos to feel different… start here.

Museums
Industrial, bold, and full of character. Clean lines and colors.
Aircraft, hangars, and metal textures that create a strong, unique backdrop you won’t get anywhere else.

Disney World / Disneyland
Color, movement, personality.
It turns your session into an experience, not just photos.

Here’s how I approach locations like this:
We don’t just pick something “unique”… we pick something that actually fits you. Your style, your energy, and how you want your photos to feel.

Because the right location doesn’t just look good…
it makes your photos feel like you.

Save this for when you’re planning your senior session 👇
Would you go classic… or something completely different?

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Open post by gilmorestudios with ID 18111973624870756

Unique locations for a senior session.

If you want your photos to feel different… start here.

Museums
Industrial, bold, and full of character. Clean lines and colors.
Aircraft, hangars, and metal textures that create a strong, unique backdrop you won’t get anywhere else.

Disney World / Disneyland
Color, movement, personality.
It turns your session into an experience, not just photos.

Here’s how I approach locations like this:
We don’t just pick something “unique”… we pick something that actually fits you. Your style, your energy, and how you want your photos to feel.

Because the right location doesn’t just look good…
it makes your photos feel like you.

Save this for when you’re planning your senior session 👇
Would you go classic… or something completely different?

Follow on Instagram

Newport Beach, CA & Gilbert, AZ

Session by appointment only