Connecticut Simple Cake Smash Photographer | First Birthday Photographer

Cake Smash

Connecticut Simple Cake Smash Photographer | First Birthday Photographer

One-year-olds are pure magic — full of personality, curiosity, and just the right amount of chaos. Capturing that energy during a cake smash session is one of my favorite parts of being a Connecticut simple cake smash photographer. There’s something so joyful about seeing a baby’s face light up when they realize they get to eat cake in front of the camera!

This sweet family reached out to me after finding me on Google. They live in New York City, but since they have family here in Connecticut, they wanted to plan their little one’s first birthday session while visiting the area. Their vision was exactly my favorite kind — simple, classic, and timeless — and I couldn’t wait to bring it to life in the studio.

A Simple, Timeless Cake Smash Setup

When this family described what they wanted for their baby’s first birthday photos, I knew we were a perfect match. They envisioned a clean, minimal setup that would put all the focus on their baby — no distracting backdrops, no over-the-top props, just pure sweetness.

As a Connecticut simple cake smash photographer, this is my favorite kind of session to design. I love letting baby’s expressions, giggles, and cake-covered fingers tell the story. The parents brought the perfect outfit for the session — a soft, neutral-toned romper that photographed beautifully — and I provided the simple set, complete with a clean white backdrop and a classic cake stand.

The result? A timeless look that lets every little detail of that first-year milestone shine.

Connecticut Simple Cake Smash Photographer | First Birthday Photographer

When the Cake Steals the Show

Every cake smash session is different, and that’s part of the fun! Some babies poke at the frosting carefully, others dive in face-first — and this little guy? He might just win the award for “most enthusiastic cake eater ever.”

I’ve never seen a one-year-old love cake quite like this before. At one point, he actually laid down on the cake stand so he could take a big bite of cake straight from the top! It was hilarious, and his parents were absolutely losing it laughing behind me.

One of my favorite parts of this job is getting to capture those unscripted, real moments — the ones you’ll look back on years later and still laugh about. That’s the magic of a simple setup: nothing distracts from the pure joy and personality your baby brings to the session.

Connecticut Simple Cake Smash Photographer | First Birthday Photographer

Parents Who Loved Every Moment 

Mom and Dad were so excited to see their son having such a blast. They couldn’t believe how much he enjoyed his cake, and we all agreed this session perfectly captured his playful, curious personality.

I always remind parents that no two cake smashes ever go the same way — some babies love the cake, others have absolutely no interest at all! (And that’s okay.) The most important thing is creating an environment where your baby feels comfortable enough to just be themselves.

Connecticut Simple Cake Smash Photographer | First Birthday Photographer

What Happens If Your Baby Isn’t Into Cake?

After photographing babies for over seven years, I’ve seen everything during cake smashes — from frosting faceplants to total cake avoidance. And here’s the good news: no matter how your baby reacts, we’ll get adorable photos either way.

If your little one doesn’t want to touch the cake, that’s totally fine. I have lots of tricks up my sleeve to get cute, personality-filled shots without forcing it. We can play with spoons, encourage clapping, or even let baby explore other props nearby. Sometimes, the photos of curiosity and hesitation are just as sweet as the ones covered in frosting.That’s one of the biggest benefits of choosing an experienced Connecticut simple cake smash photographer — I know how to adapt quickly and make sure your baby feels happy and comfortable throughout the entire session.

Connecticut Simple Cake Smash Photographer | First Birthday Photographer

Why Simple Cake Smash Sessions Are So Special

In a world of Pinterest-perfect backdrops and theme-heavy setups, there’s something timeless about keeping things simple. I truly believe that less is more when it comes to celebrating your baby’s first year.

A simple cake smash session ensures that the focus stays exactly where it belongs — on your baby. Their expressions, their giggles, their tiny frosting-covered hands… those are the moments you’ll want to remember most.

Busy sets with too many props can sometimes distract from that connection. A clean, neutral backdrop and a soft color palette create a gallery that feels classic, elegant, and uniquely your baby.

So if you love the idea of first birthday portraits that never go out of style, a simple cake smash might be the perfect choice for your family.

A Session to Remember

This little guy’s session was full of laughter, frosting, and some serious cake enthusiasm. His parents left the studio with hearts full and cameras full of behind-the-scenes videos (because of course, you have to document a cake stand face-plant!).

When they received their final gallery, they told me how much they loved that the images felt like him — full of personality, warmth, and pure joy. That’s exactly why I do what I do. Every baby’s first birthday is such a milestone, and it deserves to be captured in a way that feels natural, joyful, and true to your family.

Connecticut Simple Cake Smash Photographer | First Birthday Photographer

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

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