A Meaningful At-Home Cake Smash Session in New Hartford CT

Cake Smash

There is something incredibly special about photographing families in their own space — the place where everyday moments unfold, milestones are celebrated, and memories are made long after the camera is gone. This recent session was a perfect example of why I love being a family cake smash photographer in New Hartford, Connecticut, especially when families invite me into their homes to tell their story in a deeply personal way.

This outdoor cake smash session took place at a beautiful private home in New Hartford, Connecticut, and from start to finish, it was thoughtful, relaxed, and full of genuine connection. From early-morning light to sibling giggles during the cake smash, every part of this experience reflected what family photography is truly about.

Why This Family Chose an Outdoor Cake Smash at Home

When this family reached out, they knew exactly what they wanted: an outdoor cake smash at their home. Their property provided the perfect backdrop — open space, natural light, and sentimental value that simply can’t be replicated at a studio or public location.

I love when families choose to do sessions at home because they’re deeply personal. Your home tells your story. It’s where your kids run barefoot, where birthday mornings begin, and where everyday life happens. Photographing milestones in that space creates images that feel authentic and meaningful — not staged or generic.

As a family cake smash photographer, my goal is always to create images that feel true to your family, and home sessions allow that to happen effortlessly.

A Thoughtful Start: Dress Consultation & Client Closet Styling 

Before session day, mom came in early for a dress consultation with the Sharon Leger Photography stylist, where she selected a dress from the Client Closet. This step is such an important part of the experience.

Having access to a curated Client Closet takes the stress out of planning and ensures everything photographs beautifully. During the consultation, we focused on choosing a dress that complemented the setting, worked well with the season, and coordinated seamlessly with the rest of the family’s outfits.

When wardrobe is handled ahead of time, session day feels calmer, more intentional, and far more enjoyable — and that ease always shows in the final images.

Hair & Makeup at Home: A Stress-Free Morning

One of the most-loved parts of this experience was that the hair and makeup artist for Sharon Leger Photography came directly to the family’s home in on the morning of the session.

Having professional hair and makeup done at home is a game-changer, especially for family sessions. There’s no rushing, no packing everyone into the car early, and no added stress. Mom was able to relax, get ready in her own space, and step into the session feeling confident, polished, and fully present with her family.

This kind of support allows moms to truly enjoy the experience — and that confidence translates into timeless, beautiful photographs.

An Early Start That Worked Perfectly: 8am Family Session

We began the session at 8am, which might sound early, but it ended up being the perfect choice. Everyone was awake, well-rested, and ready to go — especially the kids.

Early morning light is soft, flattering, and ideal for outdoor sessions, particularly during warmer months. The calm energy of the morning paired beautifully with the family’s relaxed dynamic, allowing us to move through the session with ease.

As a family cake smash photographer, I often recommend session times that align with children’s natural rhythms — it makes a noticeable difference in both the experience and the final gallery.

Trusting the Process: Choosing the Perfect Spot in Their Yard

One of the things I appreciate most is when families trust me to guide the session — and this family did just that.

They trusted me to choose the best spot in their yard for family photos, which ended up being at the end of their driveway. The light, the surroundings, and the framing came together perfectly, creating a setting that felt natural, elegant, and timeless.

The results were truly stunning. These are the kinds of images families love to hang in their homes — photographs that feel classic, emotional, and lasting, not trendy or overdone.

Family First, Always: Creating Images That Last for Generations

We started with family portraits, focusing on connection and natural interaction. These moments are the foundation of every session I photograph.

The laughter, the quiet hugs, the way siblings naturally lean into one another — these are the details that matter most. Capturing them in a meaningful setting ensures the images will be cherished for years to come.

The final gallery includes photographs this family will love looking at long after the cake crumbs are gone.

The Cake Smash Moment (With Help From Big Brother & Sister!)

After family photos, it was time for the cake smash, and the little girl’s brother and sister were more than happy to help her enjoy every moment of it.

Sibling involvement adds so much joy and personality to cake smash sessions. Instead of isolating the milestone, it becomes a shared family experience — full of laughter, encouragement, and real emotion.

This is one of the reasons I love offering cake smash sessions that include the whole family. Not only do you get adorable milestone images, but you also walk away with meaningful photographs that reflect your family’s connection.

Choosing Sharon As Your CT Cake Smash Photographer

With over five years of experience, Sharon Leger is a family and newborn photographer with a private studio in Canton, Connecticut. As a former teacher, Sharon prides herself on connecting with her clients of all ages and creating a stress-free photography experience for busy moms. Sharon’s newborn studio is in Canton, Connecticut and serves the Farmington Valley, Hartford County and Litchfield County. 

What makes your first year portraits and cake smash session with Sharon Leger Photography unique? All you have to bring is your baby and the clothes that you would like him or her to wear while smashing the cake. Sharon will provide everything else! The cake is provided by Home Sweet Home Bakery in Burlington, CT. This cake can be completely customized to match your set. You and Sharon will work together to plan your cake smash session together, from start to finish.  

To learn more about Sharon Leger Photography, explore the website or follow Sharon on Instagram or Facebook. Please send inquiries through the website only. Just so you know, the website includes all relevant pricing and booking information.

"I am so happy to have had Sharon capture photos of my family. She was so easy to work with, from scheduling to planning and coordinating, she could not have made the process more simple. She showed up on the day-of super prepared, with a whole wagon full of stuff just in case, including snacks for my kids! 

Kim

4 / 15

She worked so well with my children: she truly understands that children are going to get bored fast and she worked around their moods perfectly.

I love that she captured my kids' candid smiles, and not just the posed ones. To top it off, the final product was beyond my expectations and delivered in under a week! You can tell that she loves what she's doing and it shows in her work. She is truly a gem and I can't wait to work with her again as my children grow up!"

"We loved how simple and stress-free our son’s cake smash session was—we didn't need to worry about props or set-up. 

Alexis

When we showed up, Sharon had everything ready for us and we got to just be present in the moment. 

The portraits captured all the sweet little details we want to remember from his first birthday, and we were so happy to share them with our family. It was the perfect way to celebrate this milestone!" 

2 / 15

"Sharon was absolutely lovely to work with. I'm not the type of person who particularly enjoys photoshoots, but she is exceptionally adept at putting her clients at ease. Her studio is equal parts tranquil, tasteful and casual so that my wife and I were not in the least bit overwhelmed.

Kevin

Sharon anticipates every possible need and plans accordingly so that you don't have to. 

She is able to maintain the pace of her shoots, moving them forward judiciously without making the client feel rushed or unappreciated. She was completely down-to-earth and personable. It sounds cliché, but talking with her felt like catching up with an old friend – exactly we needed after the hectic experience of bringing our first child into the world. Sharon was more than worth the cost."

3 / 15

"Sharon was amazing to work with during our recent newborn session! She was very responsive with any questions I had before the session, and even offered advice on outfits for my older children. I borrowed a gorgeous dress from her client closet, which helped me feel more confident and comfortable for photos. 

Amanda

I was nervous about how the session would go with two young children and a newborn, but Sharon had everything so organized and prepared, that everything went flawlessly.

She was so calming and kind, and her studio felt so welcoming! The finished photos are all so beautiful, that I can't even come close to picking a favorite!"

4 / 15

"I was first introduced to Sharon in 2024 when I did a session of personality portraits, and I was instantly impressed. A few friends had used her before and raved about her work, and now I completely understand why! Sharon truly works magic behind the camera. She is incredibly organized, answering all questions and planning every detail ahead of time. 

Merissa

There’s never a need to stress about locations, directions, or even bad weather—she has a backup plan for everything!

One of my favorite parts of working with her is the dress consult to help plan outfits. She has such a great eye for style and helps put together looks that photograph beautifully."

5 / 15

"Sharon and Amy were fabulous! Right from the initial booking they made me feel special. I wore three beautiful dresses that Sharon already had available for me to wear from her client closet (I LOVE this feature!). We tried on several dresses until I found one that fit comfortably and I felt fabulous in.

Nicole

Amy & Sharon were great at communicating with me every step of the process.

Amy didn’t go overboard with the makeup, she made me look like myself but a little extra glam. An elevated version of myself. They were so fabulous and I would absolutely book them again. I 10/10 recommend Sharon and Amy for maternity or family photo sessions."

6 / 15

"Scheduling was super easy through her website and Sharon is very communicative. Sharon offers a dress consultation so you can go to her studio and try on multiple dresses that fit whatever theme you choose for your photo day.

Nicole

I've never seen a photographer offer a whole closet of dresses to choose from and this takes out ALL the stress of picking an outfit for pictures.

Another priceless offering when it comes to taking the stress out of family photos is hair and makeup (additional fee). I scheduled with Amy for a few hours before my shoot. Amy was so easy to talk to and did a fantastic job with the look I wanted. I'm already looking forward to another booking and have referred her to my friends and family. I cannot recommend Sharon and her team more."  
 

Kind Words

7 / 15

"We recently had our second family session with Sharon and 

Jenna

we were yet again blown away by the entire experience. 

From her expert outfit planning, to making the journey to join us at our beach for photos, Sharon created a relaxed, fun environment from beginning to end. The photos we received were beyond what I could have imagined! She captured our family perfectly!!"

8 / 15

"I recently had the pleasure of working with Sharon for a family beach session, and she was amazing from start to finish! Sharon's attention to detail and professionalism made the entire process seamless. Her empathetic and supportive nature made a world of difference, and the photos turned out beautifully. 

Alexis

I highly recommend Sharon to any mom looking for a talented and compassionate photographer, who takes the stress out of planning.

Her work is exceptional, and she truly cares about her clients. Thank you, Sharon, for capturing these moments for us!"

9 / 15

"Sharon is the absolute best! We worked with her for our maternity photos, newborn photos, and our cake smash one-year-old photos. Each time, Sharon is so professional and friendly, makes us feel right at home, and take the most beautiful photos. We are blown away every time! The client closet is awesome and Sharon really went the extra mile to find gowns that complimented me. 

Jen

We had so much fun taking all of these photos and can’t wait to work with her again!

We will cherish these photos forever."

10 / 15

"We did personality portraits for the second time with Sharon and they came out so well! 

Kelsey

The kids had such a blast and she really captured their unique personalities!"

11 / 15

"We did both our maternity and newborn photos with Sharon and she made each experience beyond amazing. I met Sharon first at our dress consultation and knew we were going to work well together. It’s incredible that she gives you access to some many dresses and really knows how to make a pregnant lady feel beautiful.

She made my husband (who admittedly did not want to take the pictures) feel so comfortable, got him laughing and even looking forward to the newborn shoot.

Then, at the newborn shoot Sharon was so patient with us (it was our first trip out) she again made me feel so beautiful in her huge selection of dresses and was so good and rocking out baby boy to sleep."

Alexa

12 / 15

"Stop reading reviews and just book your session with Sharon Leger Photography right now. Sharon has been there for my family even before we were an official family. She poetically captured our engagement, maternity and our newborn’s first photos.

I couldn’t imagine trusting anyone else with these precious moments.

I am not an easy client. I am nervous, unsure of myself and overly aware of every physical flaw (especially postpartum). Sharon made me feel comfortable and beautiful every step of the way. We love Sharon Leger Photography, especially the woman behind the lens! Thank you for everything, Sharon!"

Dawn

13 / 15

"Sharon is an absolute gem! It has been 3.5 years since I found her and since then she has captured the most adorable and perfect pictures of my two sons and our family.

From newborn sessions, cake smashes and family photos, not one detail has ever been overlooked. Her process is seamless and she makes everything so accessible and easy.

She offers so many options for photo opportunities and has perfected a style that really is timeless! She was so wonderful with each of my children when they were newborns, that it made the experience so worth it! Couldn’t recommend enough!"

Melissa

14 / 15

"It’s hard for me to find the perfect words to describe what Sharon has given me.

I reached out to her when I was thinking about doing maternity photos, and she quickly convinced me that I would not regret it. She was right. Not only do I not regret my maternity photos but I actually love everything about them. Every time I look at them, all of those amazing feelings I felt while I was pregnant come right back as if I’m still in the moment. They are something I will cherish forever."

Kimberly

15 / 15

Kind Words

@sharonlegerphotography

Follow along...

© Sharon Leger Photography 2026 | Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Site design by Danielle Ormon Creative