The first birthday is one of my favorite milestones to photograph in the studio. Babies at this age are full of personality. Some dive straight into the cake with both hands. Others sit back and study it like they’re trying to figure out what exactly we’ve placed in front of them.
Either way, the little details you bring to a cake smash session can make the photos feel extra special. I always tell parents that the cake is just one piece of the story. The accessories around your baby help set the scene and often become the details that make the photos feel uniquely yours.
Over the years, I’ve found a few accessories that photograph beautifully and add just the right touch without overwhelming the moment. Here are some of my favorites that I often recommend to families planning their baby’s first birthday photos.
Wooden numbers are one of my favorite things to include in first birthday photos. They’re simple, classic, and photograph beautifully with almost any color palette. I especially love the wooden “ONE” letters or a large wooden number “1.” They add just enough visual interest while still keeping the focus on your baby.
The best part? Parents often take these home and use them later in their child’s room or on a shelf as a keepsake from the first birthday. It’s one of those small details that becomes part of the memory.
A tiny wooden chair is one of the cutest things you can include in a cake smash session. Babies love having something to hold onto or sit beside, and it naturally creates sweet moments during the session. Sometimes they sit on it like a tiny grown-up. Sometimes they use it to pull themselves up. Sometimes they simply lean on it while they inspect the cake. Either way, it adds a beautiful, timeless element to the photos.
Small wooden stools or chairs are perfect because they fit the scale of a one-year-old and keep the scene feeling soft and simple.
Balloons are always a favorite with one-year-olds. The moment they see them, their eyes light up.
I love using neutral or soft-colored balloons that coordinate with the overall look of the session. They add a playful feel to the background without distracting from your baby.
Some parents bring a single large balloon with the number “1,” while others bring a small cluster that sits behind the setup. And sometimes the best photos happen when baby tries to grab one.
A small birthday banner can add a fun celebratory detail to the session. I tend to recommend banners that are simple and classic rather than overly themed. Neutral fabrics, soft colors, or small “ONE” banners photograph beautifully and keep the focus where it belongs. The goal is always to complement the moment, not compete with it. When everything stays simple, your baby remains the star of the photos.
Little Birthday Hats. Tiny birthday hats might be one of the cutest accessories ever made. Now, full honesty from a photographer who has done a lot of cake smash sessions… not every baby keeps the hat on for long. But when they do, the photos are absolutely adorable!
Even if the hat stays on for only a few seconds, that’s often enough time to capture a few sweet images.
Soft fabric hats or simple knit party hats tend to work best.
Classic Cake Smash Outfits
Outfits make a big difference in the overall look of the session. I always suggest something simple and comfortable that allows babies to move easily. Some of my favorite options include:
Bloomers or diaper covers
Little suspenders for boys
Soft rompers
Simple dresses
Knit sets
Linen outfits
I've linked several sweet, affordable options HERE that are shipped via Amazon and arrive quickly. These photograph beautifully and keep the attention on your baby’s expressions. And of course, many parents bring a second outfit or simply let baby smash the cake in their bloomers. Which usually results in the happiest photos anyway.
The best advice I can give when choosing accessories for a cake smash session, less really is more. A few thoughtful details go a long way. Wooden numbers, a small chair, balloons, or a sweet little hat can help create a beautiful setting without taking away from the real star of the session: your baby.
One-year-olds don’t need a lot of distractions. They bring plenty of personality all on their own. And that’s exactly what makes first birthday photos so special. I keep a running list of my favorite accessories, outfits, props, etc. over on Amazon. You can click the link below to access that any time.
If you’re in the Swansboro, Emerald Isle, Jacksonville, or Cape Carteret area and planning your baby’s first birthday photos, cake smash sessions at Samantha Ann Photo are designed to create timeless images that become artwork in your home—not just files on your phone.