Sweet Moments for a Once-in-a-Lifetime Birthday.
South Bend One Year Cake Smash Photographer
The above galleries can give you a quick overview of how I capture weddings & portrait sessions alike. And below, the featured galleries will give you a clear idea of my style of photography, editing, consistency, and just how much of an awesome time we'll have together!
Check out some Featured Cake Smash Sessions, too!
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OCP
OCP
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VIEW The Gallery
OCP
One Year. One Cake. One Sweet Celebration.
esmae' is ONE
This sweet cake smash session celebrates the unforgettable milestone of turning one with soft, elegant styling and playful curiosity. Surrounded by delicate florals, warm textures, and the glow of a birthday celebration, this little one explores her very first cake with wonder and charm. These sessions capture the joy, personality, and tiny expressions that make this stage so special, preserving the laughter and messy sweetness of a first birthday in timeless portraits families will treasure for years to come.
ADown on the Farm and Turning One.
milliardo is one!
This farm-themed cake smash session is a joyful celebration of a little one turning one. Surrounded by playful barnyard details, cheerful colors, and adorable farm friends, this session captures the excitement and curiosity that come with such a big milestone. From the first curious taste of cake to the sweet expressions and messy fun that follow, moments like these perfectly reflect the personality and wonder of this special stage. Cake smash sessions like this create vibrant, unforgettable portraits that celebrate your child’s first birthday in a way that is as fun as it is memorable.
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One Small Step Into Turning One
crew is one!
This space-themed cake smash session is a playful celebration of a little one’s first trip around the sun. Surrounded by planets, stars, and galactic details, this adventurous setup captures the wonder and excitement of turning one. From curious smiles to joyful moments of discovery, the session reflects the personality that is beginning to shine as babies explore the world around them. These portraits preserve the fun, imagination, and milestone magic of a first birthday, creating out-of-this-world memories that families will treasure for years to come.
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Your south bend cake smash Photography
Your baby’s first year is filled with moments that pass far too quickly—the tiny giggles, curious expressions, and the personality that grows more each day. A first birthday cake smash is a joyful way to celebrate everything this year has meant for your family. At On Cue Photography, these sessions are thoughtfully designed to capture the wonder, laughter, and messy sweetness of turning one, creating beautiful portraits that preserve this milestone long after the cake is gone. Because the first year isn’t just a birthday—it’s a year of memories you’ll never want to forget.
ONE WHOLE YEAR OF LOVE.
First you will inquire for your session, providing your contact information so that we can have a short chat on the phone. Your phone consultation is a chance for us to connect and thoughtfully plan your portrait experience. During this brief call, we’ll discuss your vision for your newborn session, answer any questions you may have, and walk through the full experience—from styling and session preparation to artwork options. It’s a relaxed conversation designed to ensure you feel confident, excited, and fully prepared for your session at On Cue Photography.
1. Inquire & Phone consult
2. in person design consultation
Your in-person design consultation takes place at the studio and lasts about an hour. During this time, we’ll plan the details of your session, review inspirational images you love, select colors, and look through the curated outfits from the studio wardrobe, picking several that you think you will love. We’ll also explore the heirloom artwork options available so you can begin envisioning how your portraits will be displayed and cherished in your home for generations.
3. your portrait session
Your one-year cake smash session at On Cue Photography is designed to be fun, stress-free, and fully guided. We begin with a few classic milestone portraits before introducing a beautifully styled cake for your baby to explore, followed by a simple clean-up to finish the session. Every detail is thoughtfully planned so you can relax and enjoy celebrating this sweet milestone while we capture joyful, personality-filled moments you’ll cherish forever.
4. Your reveal & order appointment
During this appointment at On Cue Photography, we will review your images together and thoughtfully design how they will be displayed—whether as statement wall art, a custom album, or a collection of heirloom pieces. Using your home and personal style as inspiration, I will guide you through selecting your favorite portraits and help you choose the sizes, finishes, and arrangements that best showcase your family’s story. The goal is to make the process simple, enjoyable, and tailored so your artwork feels both meaningful and beautifully integrated into your home.
5. artwork pick up & inspection
Once your artwork has been carefully produced, you’ll return to the studio for your art pickup and inspection appointment. During this time, we will review each piece together to ensure every detail meets our quality standards before it goes home with you. This final step allows you to see and hold your finished heirloom artwork in person, ensuring it is perfect and ready to be displayed and cherished for generations.
Minimalist Creation Fee $450
or
Custom Theme Creation Fee $625
The creation fee covers the time, expertise, and preparation required to design and photograph your session. Portraits and artwork are selected separately, allowing you the freedom to choose exactly what you love—whether that’s a few meaningful images or a custom heirloom collection. Each order is thoughtfully designed to fit your vision, with payment plans available if needed. This moment in your family’s story happens only once, and my goal is to help you preserve it as beautiful artwork that can be cherished for generations.
One Year Cake Smash Photography Pricing
I recommend reserving your session when your baby is around 9–10 months old. This ensures availability and allows time to plan and design a custom setup before your baby’s first birthday.
Q: When should I book my baby’s cake smash session?
FAQs As A South Bend Cake Smash Photographer
Cake smash sessions are typically scheduled when your baby is around 11 months old, allowing plenty of time to have your images ready for birthday celebrations, invitations, or party displays. If having the images before the party isn’t a priority, you’re welcome to schedule your session closer to your baby’s actual birthday instead.
Q: when does the session take pl.ace?
Yes. Every cake smash session includes a custom-designed setup tailored to your baby, along with a coordinating cake. From color palette to styling details, everything is thoughtfully created for a cohesive, elevated look.
That’s completely okay—and very common. Every baby reacts differently, and we embrace whatever your little one gives us. Whether they dive right in or prefer to stay a little more reserved, we capture genuine expressions and moments that are just as meaningful.
I provide guidance on wardrobe and have select styling pieces available in-studio. Outfits are chosen to complement your custom setup and keep the focus on your baby.
Sessions typically last 45–60 minutes, allowing time for clean portraits, the cake smash portion, and a quick clean-up afterward. I allow up to 90 minutes, some babies just need to warm up to the room, the equipment, and me for a bit. I work on your baby's comfort level.
Absolutely. I handle the cleanup so you can relax and enjoy the experience without the stress or mess.
Turning one is more than a birthday—it marks a full year of growth, change, and becoming. A cake smash session captures your baby’s personality at this joyful stage while preserving the emotion of everything you’ve experienced as a parent in that first year.
These portraits become a celebration of not just your baby—but your journey, your memories, and the love that carried you through year one.
Q: Do you provide the cake and setup?
Q: What if my baby doesn’t like the cake?
Q: What should my baby wear?
Q: How long does a cake smash session last?
Q: Is cleanup included?
Q: Why should I document my baby’s first birthday this way?
Dania was super gentle with my little bean and was able to soothe her. I also learned a couple of tricks and as a FTM it was super helpful. Everything about this experience was amazing!
I can’t say enough wonderful things about Dania and our newborn photo session at On Cue Photography. From the moment we started she created such a calm and peaceful environment that allowed the entire experience to feel relaxed and enjoyable. Safety was clearly her number one priority as she was so gentle and intentional with every pose. Her patience with my baby gave me complete peace of mind and truly allowed me to relax and trust the process.
Stephanie m.
Your one-year cake smash session at On Cue Photography begins with classic milestone portraits before your baby is introduced to a beautifully styled cake to explore and enjoy. The experience is fully guided and designed to be fun, relaxed, and memorable, capturing joyful moments as your baby celebrates their first birthday.
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