Celebrating First Birthdays With Sweet, Pastel Magic - Cake Smash & Milestone Photography in Sydney’s Hills District
There is something so touching about a first birthday. Your baby has grown through an entire year of wonder - from tiny newborn curls to curious eyes and new independence. Capturing this milestone through a cake smash or baby milestone session is such a beautiful way to pause time and honour everything your little one has become.
As a Hills District baby photographer, I adore creating sessions that feel soft, joyful, and deeply personal. Recently, I photographed a pastel ice-cream-themed session for a gorgeous little girl - gentle colours, whimsical details, and a touch of childhood sweetness in every frame.
What made this session truly special?
The family chose no cake at all - and it was perfect.
Cake Smash Photography Without the Cake - A Beautiful Alternative
Not every family wants a traditional cake smash, and that’s absolutely okay. In fact, portrait-only milestone sessions are becoming increasingly popular, especially for families who:
• Prefer a cleaner look
• Want allergy-friendly alternatives
• Love documenting personality more than mess
• Prefer a softer, more timeless aesthetic
This pastel ice-cream–truck setup was the perfect example. We focused on expressive portraits, gentle curiosity, and all the tiny details that make one-year-olds so magical. Without the distraction of a cake, we captured honest emotion and sweet moments that parents will treasure forever.
As a Sydney cake smash studio, I offer full flexibility — cake, no cake, simple, themed, or anything beautifully in-between.
Bathtub Splash for Extra Giggles
One of my favourite parts of milestone sessions is the bubbly little bathtub splash at the end. Babies love it — the laughter, the splashing, the funny concentration as they pat the water with their tiny hands.
This little one absolutely adored her tub time, and these images often become parent favourites. They’re soft, clean, joyful, and perfect for first birthday albums and wall art.
Including Siblings & Parents Adds Heart to the Session
First birthdays are family milestones too.
During this session, we added sibling portraits and some gentle, loving parent shots. These images always carry so much emotion — pride, tenderness, and the beautiful chaos of raising little humans.
They tell the story of your family exactly as it is right now — joyful, imperfect, and full of love.
Why Families Choose My Cake Smash & Milestone Sessions
My Hills District home studio is designed with babies in mind — soft textures, professional lighting, a safe environment, and a calm, baby-led approach. With years of experience and full newborn safety training, I photograph your little one with care and patience.
Families choose my studio because sessions are:
• Custom styled with thoughtful colour palettes and adorable props
• Flexible — cake or no cake, themed or minimal
• Baby-led, comfortable, and relaxed
• Perfect for first birthday photos
• Easy to book, with Afterpay available for all packages
I’m honoured to have photographed many little ones throughout Sydney’s Hills District, Hawkesbury, and beyond — watching them grow has been one of the sweetest parts of my work.
Ready to Celebrate Your Baby’s First Birthday?
If you’re dreaming of a pastel-themed milestone session, a classic cake smash, or something uniquely yours, I would love to create something gentle and meaningful for your family.
My Sydney cake smash studio offers custom set designs, wardrobe guidance, and flexible payment options (including Afterpay). Sessions book quickly throughout the year, especially for babies turning one — so please reach out early to secure your preferred date.
Your baby’s first year deserves to be remembered in the sweetest way.
Let’s create something beautiful together.
Baby photography studio - Hills District and surroundings | Cake smash sessions in Sydney
Thank you for dropping by. I’m a professional newborn, child and family photographer, living in the Hills District of Sydney. I am here to capture bellies, babies & all of the milestones along the way for the ones who’s looking for beautiful photos and a simplistic booking & shooting process.
For further information please get in touch by emailing blinkoflight.photography@gmail.com or submit the booking form here contact. I will generally respond within 48hrs. Please try and book as early as possible as I do book out months in advance. You can also reach me on Facebook page and my Instagram page.