Family Cake Smash at Elizabeth Park | Canton CT Cake Smash Photographer

Cake Smash

Family Cake Smash at Elizabeth Park | Canton CT Cake Smash Photographer

There’s something so special about watching families grow — from newborn sessions to milestone portraits and everything in between. This family cake smash at Elizabeth Park was the perfect way to wrap up a year of beautiful memories with one of my favorite returning families!

I’ve been photographing this sweet family since their oldest daughter was born, and it’s been such an honor to capture every stage of their journey. This session was the grand finale of their First Year Collection with their youngest son, and I couldn’t imagine a better way to celebrate than with an outdoor cake smash surrounded by golden light and blooming gardens.

Why Elizabeth Park Is the Perfect Outdoor Backdrop

When this family mentioned they wanted to finish their First Year Collection with an outdoor session, Elizabeth Park in West Hartford immediately came to mind. It’s one of my favorite locations because it offers the perfect mix of lush greenery, beautiful florals, and soft evening light — all within a short walking distance.

Every single one of this family’s sessions has been outdoors, so it only felt right to continue that tradition. Elizabeth Park gave us the best of both worlds: space for playful family portraits and a quiet spot for the cake smash celebration.

There’s just something magical about outdoor sessions like this — the natural textures, the soft colors, and the genuine connection between family members. And as the sun started to dip lower, the light couldn’t have been more perfect for their family cake smash at Elizabeth Park.

Family Cake Smash at Elizabeth Park | Canton CT Cake Smash Photographer

Starting with Family Portraits

One of my favorite things about combining family portraits with a cake smash session is how it helps everyone — especially the birthday baby — warm up to the camera.

When babies are surrounded by their parents and siblings in the first part of the session, they naturally relax. They giggle, cuddle, and play, which leads to those genuine smiles that parents love. And by the time it’s time for cake, they’re already comfortable, curious, and ready for fun!

That’s exactly what happened during this session. We started with family portraits in the garden and the open fields, letting everyone play and enjoy the fresh air. Big sister loved being part of the celebration, and she was so sweet helping her little brother explore. The connection between these siblings is just heart-melting — you can feel the love in every image.

Family Cake Smash at Elizabeth Park | Canton CT Cake Smash Photographer

A Simple, Natural Cake Smash Setup

Outdoor cake smashes tend to be beautifully simple, and that’s one of the reasons I love them so much. Without studio props or elaborate backdrops, the focus stays right where it belongs — on the baby and the joy of the moment.

For this family cake smash at Elizabeth Park, we kept things minimal and classic. The mom chose a clean, neutral cake with soft frosting textures that looked beautiful against the greenery. To honor their little one’s first birthday theme — airplanes! — she brought an adorable aviation hat as a subtle nod to his party decor.

It was the perfect mix of meaningful and timeless. The hat added personality without overwhelming the natural feel of the session, and the overall look fit seamlessly into the outdoor setting.

Family Cake Smash at Elizabeth Park | Canton CT Cake Smash Photographer

Capturing His Big Milestone Moment

Once the cake came out, it was game on! This little guy wasted no time digging in, and his excitement was contagious. He laughed, clapped, and loved every bit of frosting he could get his hands on. (And maybe a little in his hair, too!)

What I love about outdoor cake smashes is how free they feel — babies can move around, explore, and make a big, happy mess without any worry. The soft grass, open air, and natural light create such a relaxed environment for those milestone photos.

And while the focus was on celebrating his first birthday, it was also about documenting this family’s connection and joy. Between the cuddles, laughter, and frosting-covered smiles, this family cake smash at Elizabeth Park perfectly captured this season of their lives — playful, messy, and absolutely full of love.

Family Cake Smash at Elizabeth Park | Canton CT Cake Smash Photographer

Why You Should Include Family Portraits in Your Cake Smash Session

If you’re planning a cake smash session for your little one, I highly recommend incorporating family portraits at the beginning. Not only does it help your baby feel more comfortable, but it also gives you a complete set of images that tell the story of your family right now — not just the birthday milestone.

In years to come, you’ll love looking back at these photos and seeing how everyone looked and laughed together during this stage. These are the portraits that end up framed in hallways, printed in albums, and cherished for decades.

The first birthday is such a meaningful milestone — it’s not just a celebration of your baby’s growth, but also of your family’s first year together in this new chapter. Combining both sessions allows you to capture the full emotion of it all.

A Perfect Evening at Elizabeth Park

As the session wrapped up, we caught the most beautiful sunset — soft, golden, and glowing through the trees. The family cuddled close, the kids giggled, and we ended the evening on the sweetest note.

Elizabeth Park truly shines at golden hour, and this session was no exception. The gardens were in bloom, the weather was perfect, and the joy between this family made every photo feel magical.

I’m so grateful to have photographed their entire First Year Collection and to have been part of so many special milestones. Sessions like this remind me exactly why I love what I do — helping families capture love, connection, and the beauty of everyday life.

Why Families Love Outdoor Cake Smash Sessions

If you’ve been thinking about planning your own cake smash session, here are a few reasons why outdoor locations like Elizabeth Park are such a hit:

🍰 Natural light and scenery make for timeless, glowy images.
🍰 Simple setups keep the focus on your baby’s personality and joy.
🍰 Family portraits and cake smash combined tell a complete story.
🍰 Comfortable settings help babies relax and have fun.

Plus, outdoor sessions are perfect for families who love variety. Whether you want florals, open fields, or sunset views, Elizabeth Park in West Hartford offers it all in one place.

Ready to Plan Your Own Family Cake Smash?

If this family cake smash at Elizabeth Park session made you smile, I’d love to help you plan something just as special for your family!

When you book your session with me, you’ll get:
✨ A relaxed, full-service experience from start to finish
✨ Guidance on wardrobe, location, and styling
✨ The option to include family portraits before your cake smash
✨ A gallery full of joyful, timeless images that capture your story

Whether it’s your baby’s first birthday or another family milestone, I’d be honored to help you celebrate it with portraits that will last a lifetime.

👉 Contact me today to reserve your spot — outdoor cake smash sessions book quickly!

Choosing Sharon As Your Canton 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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