Outdoor Spring Family Portraits at Elizabeth Park: A Joyful Morning Cake Smash Session

Cake Smash

There is something truly magical about outdoor spring family portraits—especially when they include blooming flowers, playful siblings, and a first birthday cake smash. This recent session at Elizabeth Park in West Hartford was extra special for me, not only because of the beautiful spring setting, but because I’ve had the honor of photographing this family before.

I’ve captured newborn and cake smash portraits for the older sister, so being asked to photograph her little brother’s cake smash felt incredibly meaningful. Watching families grow and trusting me to document milestone after milestone is one of the greatest joys of being a family photographer.

Why Outdoor Spring Family Portraits Are Perfect for Milestone Sessions

Spring is one of the best seasons for family photography in Connecticut, and outdoor spring family portraits offer the perfect blend of natural beauty and relaxed energy. Elizabeth Park in West Hartford is especially stunning in spring, fresh greenery, and soft morning light that photographs beautifully. For this family, we chose an early morning session, which is something I often recommend—especially when young children are involved. Everyone is well-rested, the park is quieter, and the light is gentle and flattering. Starting the day with a session like this sets the tone for a joyful, stress-free experience.

Beginning with the Family Portion of the Session

We started the session with the family portion, which is one of my favorite ways to structure cake smash sessions. This allows us to capture classic, timeless images before little hands get messy with frosting.

As we walked around Elizabeth Park, we stopped at various flowering plants and scenic spots. Instead of stiff posing, I encouraged the family to play together, explore, and simply enjoy being present with one another. This is where the magic really happens.

I was able to capture:

  • Sweet moments of the whole family together
  • Each parent with each child
  • Genuine laughter, movement, and connection

These are the kinds of images that feel alive—the ones families love hanging in their homes because they reflect who they truly are.

Meaningful Details That Made the Session Unique

One of my favorite details from this session was the Winnie the Pooh doll that big sister brought along. It was so authentically her—a small but meaningful piece of her personality—and it fit beautifully into the soft, spring aesthetic of the session. I love when children bring items that are special to them. Not only does it help them feel comfortable, but it also adds a layer of storytelling to your outdoor spring family portraits. Years from now, that Pooh bear will instantly transport this family back to this moment in time.

Simple Styling for Timeless Outdoor Spring Family Portraits

To keep the focus on connection and emotion, the family chose to wear all white, which looked absolutely stunning against the natural backdrop of Elizabeth Park. Light, neutral tones are always a great choice for outdoor sessions—they’re timeless, cohesive, and allow the greenery and florals to shine.

When it was time for the cake smash, the birthday boy changed into a special outfit, making that moment feel extra celebratory. This subtle wardrobe change helped visually separate the family portraits from the cake smash portion while keeping everything cohesive.

Thoughtful styling like this ensures that your gallery feels polished without feeling overdone.

Cake Smash Time: Simple, Rustic, and Full of Joy

After capturing beautiful family portraits, it was time for cake! For this session, I brought a simple rustic cake, letting the natural surroundings act as our décor. One of the reasons I love outdoor cake smashes is how effortlessly everything comes together—no elaborate setups required.

Outdoor cake smashes are unpredictable in the best way. You never quite know what will happen, and that’s part of the fun.

As always, people walking by were completely amused, smiling as they watched a little one discover what might be his favorite new “park snack.” Kids are naturally curious and excited outdoors, which leads to genuine reactions and priceless expressions.

Why Outdoor Cake Smashes Are So Much Fun

There’s something uniquely joyful about combining a cake smash with outdoor spring family portraits. The open space allows kids to move freely, explore, and react naturally—no studio walls or tight spaces to contain their excitement.

And of course, big sister couldn’t resist joining in on the fun. Watching siblings share these moments is always heart-melting. Her excitement added even more energy and laughter to the session, making it a truly memorable way to start the morning.

These shared experiences are what elevate a session from “just photos” to cherished memories.

A Full Experience Families Will Treasure

What I love most about sessions like this is that families walk away with so much more than cake smash photos. They leave with:

  • Timeless family portraits
  • Individual moments with each child
  • Genuine sibling interactions
  • A joyful shared experience

These images aren’t just for albums—they’re meant to be displayed in your home, reminding you daily of this fleeting season of life.

Ready to Book Your Outdoor Spring Family Portrait Session?

If you’ve been dreaming of outdoor spring family portraits that feel natural, joyful, and meaningful, I would love to work with you. Whether you’re celebrating a milestone like a cake smash or simply want to document your family together, my goal is always the same: to create an experience you enjoy and images you’ll treasure forever.

Spring dates—especially early mornings at Elizabeth Park—fill quickly. Reach out today to start planning your family’s session, and let’s create something beautiful together. 🌸🎂

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