St. Patrick’s Day Birthday | First Birthday Cake Smash in Sussex County NJ

There’s something pure magic about celebrating a baby’s first birthday with a studio cake smash session, especially when you have a sweet little Irish lass with red hair and the greenest eyes as your star of the day! At my natural light studio in Lafayette, NJ, cake smash sessions are relaxed, fun, and beautifully styled to let your baby’s personality shine.

For this session, we kept the look classic and minimal with a naked white vanilla cake and a vintage high chair. Because her birthday landed near St. Patrick’s Day, we brought in just the right amount of green shamrock accents to celebrate the holiday while keeping the images timeless and bright — perfect for baby’s first year memories.

Cake smash sessions like this are all about joy: capturing those tiny expressions, curious moments with cake, and the sweet milestone of turning ONE. From classic portraits to the big cake moment, we document the entire experience in a way that feels natural, joyful, and genuinely you.

What Makes a Studio Cake Smash So Special

Studio cake smash photography gives you:

• Bright, neutral imagery that stands the test of time
• A clean, cozy environment with natural light
• A relaxed pace so your baby can explore and have fun
• Classic props like a white high chair and simple backdrop

I include a naked cake from a trusted local baker so you don’t have to worry about sourcing one, and my studio is styled to be both simple and beautiful — always keeping the focus on your baby’s milestone.

Tips for a Smooth St. Patrick’s Day Birthday Cake Smash

Timing matters: Scheduling your cake smash a few weeks before your baby’s actual birthday gives time for gallery delivery before the party. Most cake smash sessions are done about 2–3 weeks ahead so you can share photos at celebrations if you choose.

Keep outfits simple: Classic colors like ivory, cream, and soft greens photograph beautifully in the studio’s bright light. Wardrobe changes can be part of the fun — start with portraits, then swap into a cake-smash outfit!

Come ready to play: Some babies dive right into their cake, others prefer to explore or sample a bite here and there — and we capture it all. A cake smash session should be fun, carefree, and focused on your baby’s reactions and expressions.

Including Family & Milestone Portraits

Many families choose to include a quick portrait portion before the cake. Whether it’s mom and baby moments, sibling portraits, or multi-generation snapshots, these images become treasured keepsakes that pair beautifully with your cake smash photos.

If you’re interested in more birthday photography inspiration or want ideas for planning your cake smash, check out other sessions like my “Berry First Birthday Cake | Sienna” blog post where we celebrated with a strawberry-themed smash with pigtails and lots of giggles.

How to Schedule Your First Birthday Cake Smash

Booking early ensures the best date and timing for your session — especially around busy spring milestones like St. Patrick’s Day and spring celebrations. Head over to my NJ Cake Smash Photography resource page for details on packages, planning tips, and what to expect from your session with me.

👉 Reach out today to plan a customized first birthday cake smash session for your baby girl or boy in the studio — I’d love to make this milestone feel easy, beautiful, and completely stress-free.

xx, Ashley