Elizabeth Park Family Cake Smash | Connecticut Cake Smash Photographer

Cake Smash

Every cake smash session feels like a celebration — not just for the birthday baby, but for the whole family. And this Elizabeth Park family cake smash was the perfect example of how beautiful (and hilarious!) these sessions can be.

This sweet family came to me to celebrate their youngest daughter’s first birthday. I couldn’t have imagined a more joyful way to do it. Elizabeth Park in West Hartford, CT gave us the dreamiest summer backdrop. There are blooming gardens, soft evening light, and plenty of space for the whole family to play.

Planning the Perfect Cake Smash Session 

This mom wanted her family’s session to feel both classic and connected. We started with a styling consultation at my Canton, CT studio. She worked with my in-house stylist to select everyone’s outfits. They couldn’t have worked out better!

All of the girls’ dresses came right from my complimentary Client Closet. The vision board was one of my favorites. They couldn’t have looked more perfect together. The soft neutral tones and flowing fabrics created a cohesive, timeless look that worked beautifully with the natural garden setting.

I always love when families take advantage of my Client Closet and stylist services. It takes the stress out of coordinating outfits (especially for families with multiple kids!). Finally, it ensures that everyone feels confident and beautiful in front of the camera. The end result is always so polished and cohesive, which makes your final gallery look like it belongs in a magazine.

Starting with Family Portraits

For this Elizabeth Park family cake smash, we began with family portraits before diving into the birthday fun. This approach works beautifully because it helps everyone — especially the birthday girl — ease into the session and feel comfortable.

The gardens at Elizabeth Park were absolutely glowing that evening, and the family’s light, airy outfits popped perfectly against the colorful blooms. We captured a mix of traditional posed shots and candid moments — laughter, snuggles, and the big sisters doting on their baby sister.

The girls were total naturals in front of the camera, full of personality and sweetness. You could feel how proud they were to celebrate their sister’s big day, and those sibling shots are going to be such treasures for years to come.

Time for Cake!

Once we had plenty of family portraits, it was time to bring out the cake — and that’s when things got really fun!

Cake smashes are always unpredictable, and that’s part of the magic. Some babies approach the cake cautiously, while others go all in right away. This little girl wasted no time deciding what kind of cake smasher she wanted to be!

When she realized we were going to let her do her thing, she literally put her face right into the cake and started digging in. Her big sisters squealed with laughter, her parents were cracking up, and even people walking by in the garden stopped to watch because it was so hilarious!

It’s moments like that that make outdoor sessions so special — they’re full of life, spontaneity, and personality. You can’t plan a reaction like that, but you can capture it perfectly.

Why Family Cake Smashes Are So Special

One of my favorite parts about sessions like this is that it’s not just about the baby and the cake — it’s about the whole family being part of the celebration.

Cake smashes that include everyone feel extra meaningful because they tell the full story of this milestone. Parents get to laugh, siblings get to join in, and the birthday baby gets to feel the excitement and love from their favorite people.

Not only do you walk away with adorable first birthday photos, but you also have portraits that showcase your family’s bond in this season of life — ones that are timeless enough to hang in your home year-round.An Elizabeth Park family cake smash is the perfect combination of fun and sophistication — you get the joy and energy of a milestone session with the natural beauty and variety of a family session.

Elizabeth Park: The Perfect Setting for Family Portraits

Elizabeth Park is one of my favorite places to photograph families because it truly has it all. Between the gardens, tree-lined paths, and open fields, there are endless backdrops to work with — all within walking distance.

For this session, we used the blooming flower beds for family portraits and then moved to a quieter area for the cake smash portion. The mix of greenery and soft, colorful florals made every image feel fresh and vibrant.

The light at Elizabeth Park is especially magical in the evening — warm, glowy, and full of depth. It’s that perfect, golden-hour light that makes skin tones glow and adds a natural radiance to every photo.

From Styling to Shooting — A Full-Service Experience

One of the things my clients love most about working with me is that I take care of all the details so they don’t have to.

From the complimentary Client Closet to professional styling assistance, location selection, and session-day planning, every step is designed to make your experience stress-free and enjoyable.For families like this one, who wanted something joyful, timeless, and a little different, an Elizabeth Park family cake smash checked every box. It gave them variety, flexibility, and — most importantly — images that feel personal and full of love.

A Sweet Ending (and a Bit of Frosting!)

By the end of the session, everyone was laughing, the birthday girl was covered in frosting, and the big sisters were sneaking bites of cake. It was pure joy — the kind of session where everyone left smiling and talking about how much fun they had.

You’d never know from the photos how much cake was involved or how many giggles echoed through the park that evening, but that’s the magic of it — it looks effortless, beautiful, and full of love. These are the kinds of sessions that families look back on years later and say, “Remember that time you put your face in the cake?” And that’s exactly what I want — memories that make you smile every time you see them on your wall.

Ready to Plan Your Own Cake Smash or Family Session?

If this Elizabeth Park family cake smash made you smile, I’d love to help you plan your own! Whether you’re celebrating a first birthday, updating family portraits, or simply want photos that feel joyful and timeless, I’m here to guide you through every step.

When you book with Sharon Leger Photography, you’ll get:
✨ Access to the complimentary Client Closet and styling support
✨ A relaxed, guided session experience that’s fun for everyone
✨ A beautiful mix of posed and candid images
✨ A gallery full of love, laughter, and light👉 Contact me today to reserve your session date! Elizabeth Park sessions are some of my most requested each year, and I can’t wait to help your family create something sweet, timeless, and full of joy.

Choosing Sharon as Your Canton CT Family Photographer

Why do you want Sharon Leger Photography as your Canton CT family photographer? First, you will be fully prepared for your session. This preparation includes detailed emails and videos before your session, in addition to a prep guide and questionnaire. Second, your session is thoughtfully strategized so that you get way more images than you ever thought possible. And finally, as a former elementary school teacher, Sharon is skilled at engaging and connecting with clients of all ages. Shy toddler? No problem! Cranky husband? I got you, mama! 

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

If you are interested in booking Sharon Leger Photography as your Canton CT family photographer, please know that most spots book about six months out. Reach out today for current availability!

"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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