1st birthday photography houston

Home Girl Hailey Means Business | Best Cake Smash Smack Down

Hailey is Baby Plan Client of the month! Check out her late September natural light, outdoor cake smash and splash!

classic one year old portraits

Let’s keep things sweet over here at the blog! Each month there is a featured session on my blog; sometimes it’s a family, other times a belly! You’ll also find precious newborns and their parents. However, let’s be honest here: a cake smash smack down is something we can all appreciate!

At my portrait studio, for instance, there is a popular baby plan membership that includes a posed in studio newborn session, 7 month sitter session, and finally a cake smash and splash session. My one year old birthday sessions reflect all things timeless & classic, though also are super fun as we allow baby to be who they are!

This also adds an affordable savings to new parents who are considering first year of life.


Where did we photograph the photos?

where to take cake smash photos in houston

For Hailey’s one year portraits, her parents requested a natural light & outdoor setting. At SBP, on location portraiture sessions take place 7 days per week specifically at the hours of sunrise or sunset; in Houston, this does vary depending on the time of the year, however, for the month of September, specifically in the later half, we were beginning at 7:10 AM. A stunning and curated location list is given to clients so they may select their favorite look. We chose location 6 for it’s swoon worthy, soft light and gorgeous atmosphere.

What’s included in a cake smash & splash?

A cake smash & splash prep guide is provided for each and every client. These sessions are typically around 45 minutes long and include (3) set ups. (1) set up showcases baby in an adorable, classic outfit, provided by me (see an updated client closet I have on hand for you!), followed by the actual smash, and then a precious bubble bath in a farmhouse vintage tub.

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What to wear for one year old birthday photos?

one year old photoshoot outfits

During Hailey’s sessions, I provided the outfits for her so that the styling reflects my timeless, classic, and dreamy brand. I provide all accessories and props, with the exception of the cake, for allergy purposes, but your prep guide will tell you where to purchase the cake. :-)

Simply bring your little one, diaper bag, and cake to me as I design a lovely session to honor and preserve this precious baby milestone in your life!

I am always updating and adding new items to my client closet, too!

Personality & Perseverance

Once Mom and Dad placed the cake in front of Hailey, she knew exactly what to do! Her parents and I had a great time watching her smash the cake. She took her job super seriously and did not hold back!

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The Splash | Vintage Farmhouse Bowl for Timeless Vibe

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For each of my Houston Baby Milestone Photography sessions, I provide lovely floor props that reflect all things vintage, classic, rustic, timeless and evoke the dreamiest baby photography! The farmhouse bowl is one of my favorite pieces because it reflects the quintessential baby portraits: precious little one splashing in the tub! I provide warm water and nice smelling bubble bath, too, (though you’re free to bring your own if you’d like!) so baby is nice and clean once we’re done with our session. This is a great idea for one year old baby portraits because it’s fun, laid back, something familiar to little one so it eases uncertainty for them, while also reflecting the adorable chubbiness of a growing baby. Happy Birthday, Hailey!

1 year old photoshoot tips

Quick Tips for One Year old Photoshoots:

1 year old picture poses

When booking your baby’s one year old or birthday images, it’s always best to select a time in which little one will be happy and well rested. I offer both studio and outdoor sessions for this reason. If your little one is not happy earlier in the morning, such as sunrise, it’s best to schedule a studio appointment so we may showcase all that is giggly, sweet, and precious about the light of your life, your child!

Right after nap is a great time to bring little one in! I also recommend having a snack, too, on hand and even a favorite toy or stuffed animal that will delight your sweet baby girl.

outdoor photos with one year old girl

Thank you, friends, for visiting so you may see highlights from Hailey’s one year old birthday images! Her smash and splash truly made my day and I cannot express how much I’ve enjoyed working with her parents over the first year of her life. Keep on scrolling to see the full gallery via a slideshow + helpful topics you may enjoy perusing! Happy Sunday, friends!

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See the whole gallery! The best is yet to come.

Sarah Borchgrevink Photography is a Houston Newborn Photographer specializing in gorgeous posed newborn sessions. Her studio is located in Northwest Harris County. In addition to breathtaking baby portraiture, Sarah also offers stylish natural light family photography as well as dynamic outdoor maternity sessions for expecting mothers and couples. Sarah joyfully serves the entire Harris and Montgomery county areas including Houston, Cypress, Tomball, Spring, The Woodlands, Kingwood, Memorial & West Houston, Katy, Sugar Land, Pearland, Richmond, West University and Rice Village.

Prep Guide for Smash and Splash | Classic one Year Old Portraits

Houston Newborn & Baby Photographer, Sarah Borchgrevink, shares tips for preparing for little one's cake smash and bubble bath session.

Cake Smash & Splash Prep Guide for Parents

Greetings! Thank you for choosing me to photograph your little one’s cake smash and splash! I am very excited to have them in the studio, or even on-location, for a gorgeous set of one-year portraits. Cake smash sessions are adorable and are a super fun way to celebrate the monumental milestone of your sweet baby turning one! Here is everything you need to know about our session together. A cake smash and splash are when baby smashes a cake followed by splashing in the tub! If you would like to omit the bubble bath (or prefer the bubble bath to the smash) let me know in advance so we may adjust session design. Most parents book in the studio because this ensures baby is happy and well rested since we do not have to worry about the sunrise/sunset light. My outdoor sessions take place right as the sun is coming up and right as it is going down so if you prefer outdoor lighting remember that nap times may need to be adjusted so baby is well rested for their session.

I provide the following for cake smash and splash:

  • Time & talent designated in your session type (mini, standard, deluxe)

  • A white cake stand or cream antique high chair

  • · Vintage quilt if outdoors

  • · Rustic floor props for baby to sit upon such as a box or bowl

  • · Farmhouse bowl for the bubble bath

  • · Warm water & bubbles

Parents provide the following for cake smash and splash:

  • · A cake of their choice (typically 9”)

  • · Any specific décor or props you would like that are not seen in my studio

  • · Balloons, streamers, cake topper etc. If you are bringing additional décor, let me know in advance so I may set aside more time for set up

  • · Diaper cover for baby during their cake smash or a birthday outfit

  • · Towel to clean baby up + extra outfit

When Do Cake Smashes Take Place?

Cake smashes are best done when the baby is 11 months old and not yet walking. This is also a great time to book your cake smash so you may receive your photos and prints before baby’s birthday party. Many parents like to use the photos for invitations so it’s best to plan wisely. Always give yourself enough planning time. There is a two week turnaround time for photos so keep this in mind when contacting me for your cake smash. I want this to be a great experience for you!

My Baby Portraiture Style

My favorite way to photograph babies is in a simple, classic and timeless scene. I like to avoid too many props because it detracts from baby and is distracting in the images. Feel free to peruse my portfolio in advance so we can make sure we’re a good fit for one another!

Here are sample sessions to view:

Helpful Tips in Preparation for Baby’s Session

  • · Let the cake sit in the car overnight so it is warm and easy for baby to get into

  • · Avoid fondant icing – babies often dislike the texture

  • · HEB makes wonderful 9” white cakes with buttercream icing

  • · If using a colored icing remember this may stain baby’s skin; red velvet cake, for an instance, will also stain the baby’s skin and it will look like the baby is injured in the photos.

  • · Bring a towel and change of clothes for baby

Thanks again for choosing me to photograph your baby! Let me know if you have any questions so I may assist!

-Sarah

Happiest Baby on the Block | Splish-splash Bubble Bath

KP is a fun loving one-year-old baby boy who had a blast during his portrait session with Sarah! Check out the cutest highlight from his time in the studio!

First Birthday Photos | Simple & Timeless

Your baby's first birthday photos are such a treat to photograph! Chances are if you've booked a collection at Sarah Borchgrevink Photography for your little one's first birthday, you're probably a baby plan membership client. These sessions are especially sweet since my most petite clients have been with me since they were newborns! 

KP, for instance, is the happiest kiddo on the block! At his newborn session, for instance, he was super laid back and easy going. At 5 pounds, he was an awesome sleeper and super curly. Then when we photographed his sitter session, he kept me laughing the entire time. Now, at 12 months old, we had a wonderful time in the studio for his splashing in the tub session!

These sessions are wonderful because they focus on baby milestone photography. What little baby could resist playing in bubbles? Moreover, these sessions use my favorite type of props: vintage, classic and timeless. The more classic and simple the photos are, the happier I am since my goal is to showcase your child as the star without distracting themes or too many busy props. 

Many thanks to KP's sweet parents for being such fantastic clients this year! Here are some of my favorite images from his studio session.

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