A Party Animal Cake Smash for Rocco

Happy birthday, Rocco!! I can’t believe that Rocco is already a year old. He was my first newborn session for the year. Now 2022 is almost over, and this guy is ONE! Time is flying by, seriously. We planned a fun cake smash in the studio to celebrate his milestone birthday. Leah, his mom, asked if we could plan a theme that matched his party invitations, so we designed a “party animal” theme! 

Between Leah and I, we were able to create a gorgeous setup for this little guy. We used lots of fun confetti filled balloons to create a garland backdrop and Leah brought in some stuffed animals she’s planning to use for the birthday party. While everything was colorful and bright - perfect for a one year old - we still managed to keep a pretty clean style, which I absolutely love (and am known for!). This style allows us to really focus on the birthday boy during his portraits!

As with all of my cake smash sessions, we made sure to capture some updated family photos of Rocco and his parents. We also got the most adorable updated photos of him alone in a sweet little plaid shirt. He even had a baseball cap for one photo! I love when we do these milestone photos, because it’s a great time to photograph your baby’s personality and new skills. Once those were done, it was time for cake! Rocco loved digging into the icing and even knocked his cake off the stand at one point. I’m here for it!! We ended their session with a little bath for him, which he loved. He was seriously so happy the whole session and that makes me super excited! 

baby in teal jumper crawls across confetti on floor during party animal cake smash with Saratoga Springs cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby in teal jumper knocks small white cake with confetti icing off stand during party animal cake smash with Saratoga Springs cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby in teal jumper smiles in front of confetti balloon garland during party animal cake smash with Saratoga Springs cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby in teal jumper eats icing during party animal cake smash with Saratoga Springs cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby in teal jumper eats icing off wooden spoon during party animal cake smash with Saratoga Springs cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby in teal jumper eats icing and stretches during party animal cake smash with Saratoga Springs cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby in teal crawls around on floor with confetti after knocking cake over off stand during party animal cake smash with Saratoga Springs cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby sits in bathtub after cake smash with Saratoga Springs cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby sits in bathtub surrounded by stuffed animals wearing party hats after cake smash with Saratoga Springs cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby sits in bathtub surrounded by stuffed animals wearing party hats after cake smash with Saratoga Springs cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby claps in bathtub surrounded by stuffed animals wearing party hats after cake smash with Saratoga Springs cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
toddler in ONE hat sits in black plaid shirt with jeans during milestone photos in studio with Saratoga Springs family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
mom in green dress holds son on lap sitting on sofa photographed by Saratoga Springs family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
dad in forest green shirt holds son on lap sitting on sofa photographed by Saratoga Springs family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
mom in green dress laughs with one year old son in plaid shirt photographed by Saratoga Springs family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
dad in forest green shirt holds son on lap sitting on sofa photographed by Saratoga Springs family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
mom and dad hug one year old son in plaid shirt photographed by Saratoga Springs family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
one year old in plaid shirt claps hands sitting on white floor in studio photographed by Saratoga Springs family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
one year old in plaid shirt crawls on white floor in studio photographed by Saratoga Springs family photographer Nicole Starr Photography

Save this post for later:

a colorful party animal cake smash with stuffed animals in party hats and confetti balloon garland photographed by Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography

Mauve flowers and twinkle lights for a beautiful floral cake smash

Karina is a year old! I can’t believe this sweet baby girl is already a year old. To celebrate, we planned a gorgeous floral themed cake smash in the studio for her. To tie into her newborn portraits, we chose mauve flowers and twinkle lights. For those portraits, we used mauve accents and greenery. Put together for Karina’s cake smash, everything looked so beautiful. The entire setup felt super classic and elegant for this little girl!

Before Karina’s cake smash, we started with family portraits in Congress Park here in Saratoga Springs. We had a beautiful fall day and with all of the leaves on the ground, everything looked perfect. Karina’s big brother, Kaylen, was so excited to show her off and shower her with lots of hugs. It was sweet to watch them together!

When we were done, we headed into the studio to start her cake asmsh. Featuring a cake from Leah’s Cakery, Karina went right into it. She absolutely loved the icing! Kaylen couldn’t wait until he was asked to help, too. They were adorable together and I loved celebrating Karina’s first birthday! Enjoy a little peek into her cake smash!

baby girl in lace romper climbs on white bench during Saratoga Springs cake smash with Nicole Starr Photography
baby girl in lace romper plays with mauve flower during Saratoga Springs cake smash with Nicole Starr Photography
baby girl in lace romper plays with mauve flower during Saratoga Springs cake smash with Nicole Starr Photography
baby girl in lace romper plays with white naked cake topped with mauve flower and wooden topper during Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby girl in lace romper plays with white naked cake and wooden spoon during Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby girl in lace romper plays with white naked cake and wooden spoon during Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby girl in lace romper licks icing off finger during Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby girl in lace romper eats icing off wooden spoon given to her by big brother during Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
big brother licks icing off wooden spoon while sister reaches for cake during Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby girl in lace romper pulls on cake topper during cake smash with mauve flowers and twinkle lights in Saratoga Springs studio with Nicole Starr Photography
baby girl plays in bathtub after cake smash with Nicole Starr Photography
baby girl plays in bathtub after cake smash with Nicole Starr Photography
siblings hug during fall family portraits in Congress Park during photos with Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
family of four hugs together standing in leaves at Congress Park during photos with Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
siblings hug and brother kisses sister’s forehead during fall family portraits in Congress Park during photos with Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
family of four hugs together standing in leaves at Congress Park during photos with Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
dad holds one year old daughter during fall family portraits in Congress Park photographed by Nicole Starr Photography
brother holds sister in leaf pile during fall family portraits in Congress Park photographed by Nicole Starr Photography
mom in black lace gown holds one year old daughter during fall family portraits in Congress Park photographed by Nicole Starr Photography

Save this post for later!

Cake smash for baby girl with mauve flowers and twinkle lights in Saratoga Springs NY studio with New York cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography

A tugboat themed cake smash for Baby Walter

Happy first birthday, Walter! We celebrated Walter turning one with a sweet tugboat themed cake smash in the studio. When we began discussing possible setups for his birthday portraits, Walter’s mom told me that his dad works on tugboats and she had a sweet tugboat romper that she wanted to pick up for him. Originally, we were just going to do a nautical theme for the smash – but once I saw that romper, I knew that we had to focus on the tugboats! Everything came together perfectly after that and I’m so happy with how these portraits turned out. 

During the smash, Walter was seriously one of the happiest cake smashers I’ve ever had in the studio. He was all smiles and very interested in his cake. At one point, his big brother Caleb jumped in for a few bites. It was hilarious seeing how quickly he was able to demolish the cake after his baby brother had been delicately picking at it for awhile before that.

Before the smash, we also captured updated family portraits in Congress Park! This is one of my favorite spots for portraits in Saratoga Springs. It’s important to me to always document the entire family – and a few non-cake smash portraits of the birthday boy or girl – at the start of each cake smash. Cake smashes are so much fun, but it’s nice to have a sweet and simple portrait of your little one, too! 

Enjoy a look into Walter’s tugboat cake smash today! 

baby boy sits in wooden chair during tugboat themed cake smash for first birthday with Nicole Starr Photography
baby plays with cake topper during tugboat themed cake smash in Saratoga Springs NY with Nicole Starr Photography
baby eats blue cake during tugboat themed cake smash in Saratoga Springs NY with Nicole Starr Photography
baby plays with wooden spoon and blue icing during tugboat themed cake smash in Saratoga Springs NY with Nicole Starr Photography
baby plays with wooden spoon and blue icing with big brother during tugboat themed cake smash in Saratoga Springs NY with Nicole Starr Photography
baby sits with arms up covered in cake during tugboat themed cake smash in Saratoga Springs NY with Nicole Starr Photography
baby makes silly face in bathtub after cake smash in Saratoga Springs NY studio with Nicole Starr Photography
baby makes silly face in bathtub after cake smash in Saratoga Springs NY studio with Nicole Starr Photography
big brother holds one year old on his lap during portraits in Saratoga Springs park with Nicole Starr Photography, NY family photographer
big brother holds one year old on his lap during portraits in Saratoga Springs park with Nicole Starr Photography, NY family photographer
one year old crawls through grass during milestone portraits in Saratoga Springs park with Nicole Starr Photography, NY family photographer
big brother hugs one year old brother and kisses his cheek during milestone portraits in Saratoga Springs park with Nicole Starr Photography, NY family photographer
parents and big brother hug one year old for milestone portraits in Saratoga Springs park with Nicole Starr Photography, NY family photographer
dad lifts one year old up playing in Saratoga Springs park photographed by NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
mom holds one year old baby on hip during family photos in Saratoga Springs with NY Family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
dad poses with two sons during Saratoga Springs family session with Nicole Starr Photography
mom stands with two sons during Saratoga Springs family session with Nicole Starr Photography
baby boy sits in grass during milestone photos in Saratoga Springs park with NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
family of four stands together in Saratoga Springs park for family photos with Nicole Starr Photography
pre-teen boy sits in grass wearing shark polo photographed by NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
pre-teen boy leans against tree trunk in park wearing shark polo photographed by NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography

Save it for later:

A tugboat themed cake smash for first birthday with navy blue nautical details photographed by New York cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography

A succulent themed cake smash for baby boy

Happy first birthday, Colton! This little guy is a Baby Plan graduate. I’ve had the pleasure of documenting all of his milestones this year… from his newborn portraits, tummy time milestone, sitter milestone, holiday portraits, and even an extended family portrait session. Now, it’s time to celebrate with his very own case smash session. I’ve known this family since Colton’s big sister, Elliana, was little too. It’s been such a joy to watch them both grow.

When we began to plan Colton’s cake smash, we looked to his sister’s cake smash for inspiration. Elliana’s cake smash was also succulent themed. We wanted to change things up and make sure the entire session felt a little more “masculine” for Colton. WIth that in mind, we stuck to natural textures with gold accents. It was just perfect for this little guy!!

As with all my cake smashes, we also took the time for some updated family portraits in the Hall of Springs in Saratoga Spa State Park. I’m so happy I got to see everyone again and I can’t wait until their next family photos!

siblings sit on wooden crate while big sister kisses baby brother during family photos at the Hall of Springs with Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
mom kisses daughter during Hall of Springs family portraits at Saratoga Spa State Park with NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
family of four poses at the Hall of Springs during Saratoga Springs NY family session with Nicole Starr Photography in the spring
family of four poses at the Hall of Springs during Saratoga Springs NY family session with Nicole Starr Photography
siblings sit on wooden crate during family photos at the Hall of Springs with Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
dad and son hug during family photos at the Hall of Springs with Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
boy in green jumper sits on white chair during succulent themed cake smash with Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
boy in green jumper sits on white chair during succulent themed cake smash with Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby boy in olive green jumper plays with wooden cake topper during succulent themed cake smash with Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby boy in olive green jumper plays with wooden spoon and icing during succulent themed cake smash with Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby boy in olive green jumper plays with wooden spoon and icing during succulent themed cake smash with Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby boy in olive green jumper and sister play in front of succulent themed cake smash with Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
sister plays with wooden spoon while baby brother looks at cake during first birthday cake smash with Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
one year old in green jumper plays with wooden “one” sign on cake during first birthday cake smash with Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby sits in tub after succulent cake smash with Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography

Save this for later:

Succulent themed cake smash for baby boy with gold details in studio photographed by Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography

First birthday portraits with a sage green and beige balloon garland

Happy first birthday to Kodah! We celebrated his first birthday with a stunning cake smash in the studio this spring. Like many babies, his cake smash decor was inspired by his nursery decor - which I absolutely love! There’s just something wonderful about using the colors and themes you already know and love for your baby! His mama sent me her mood board from when she designed his nursery and we used a similar color palette of soft green, beige, and white. With a few greenery accents, the setup was complete!

During our session, we photographed a few family and milestone portraits without the cake first. I love starting sessions this way because I get to immediately capture how you are as a family - and your little one has time to warm up to me before we try the cake! Kodah looked so cute in his little white button up and his parents looked so proud of him!!

They had even more to be proud of during our session. Kodah had a huge milestone - he fed himself for the first time during our portraits! His mom and dad were so surprised and happy, and it was such a fun way to celebrate him taking his first bite and bringing food to his mouth all by himself. Apparently cake was the magic food he was waiting for all this time! ;o)

Happy birthday again, Kodah!

baby boy sits in curved chair in front of sage green and beige balloon arch for first birthday portraits with NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby sits in khaki pants by naked cake for first birthday cake smash with NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby plays with icing on naked cake during sage green and beige cake smash for first birthday with NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby plays with icing on naked cake during sage green and beige cake smash for first birthday with NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby plays with icing on naked cake during sage green and beige cake smash for first birthday with NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby eats icing on naked cake during sage green and beige cake smash for first birthday with NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby chews on end of wooden spoon during  cake smash with sage green and beige balloon garland for first birthday with NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby licks fingers during  cake smash with sage green and beige balloon garland for first birthday with NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby claps hands sitting by cake for cake smash with sage green and beige balloon garland with NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby sits by cake for cake smash with sage green and beige balloon garland with NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby plays in tub after cake smash for first birthday with sage and beige balloon garland photographed by NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby plays in tub after cake smash for first birthday with sage and beige balloon garland photographed by NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby plays in tub after cake smash for first birthday with sage and beige balloon garland photographed by NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
parents sit with son on sofa in Saratoga Springs studio for family photos with Nicole Starr Photography, NY family and cake smash photographer
mom and son sit on sofa during family portraits in studio with Nicole Starr Photography, NY family photographer
mom kisses one year old son sitting on sofa during family portraits in studio with Nicole Starr Photography, NY family photographer
dad and one year old son sit together on sofa for milestone photos in studio with Nicole Starr Photography, NY family photographer
one year old laughs sitting on couch in studio during milestone photos with NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
one year old laughs sitting on couch in studio during milestone photos with NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
parents hold one year old in studio during milestone portraits for first birthday with NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
parents hold one year old’s hand in studio during milestone portraits for first birthday with NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
toddler sits on studio floor by white curtain in Saratoga Springs with NY milestone photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby crawls on studio floor in white button up shirt during first birthday photos with NY milestone photographer Nicole Starr Photography

Save this session for inspiration later!

first birthday cake smash with sage green and beige balloon garland photographed by Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography

Cake Smash Portraits with Inspiration from Wedding Decor

I can’t believe Grace is one! I feel like she was just here for her newborn portraits 12 months ago. Now, we’re celebrating her first birthday. She (and her two big brothers, Charlie and Henry) came to the studio recently for her cake smash portraits and we all had a great time.

When I began talking with Grace’s mom about a theme and setup, she told me that she wanted to include similar colors and textures as they used at their head table in the wedding. First off, I LOVE that idea! How special and unique is that theme? The pictures had peach peonies, birch logs, eucalyptus and twinkle lights. I tied everything in the studio together with a beautiful wooden arch. The best part of this setup was that her Dad had no idea that would be the theme, so when he walked into the studio for portraits, he exclaimed, "Wow, this looks just like our wedding!". It was such a wonderful moment!

Grace had a lot of fun with her cake smash, especially once Charlie and Henry came to help her. They tried to feed Grace some icing and cake, then helped her smash it into the floor. That was when she really got into it. It was perfect!

Happy birthday, Grace!!!

baby girl sits in pink tutu during cake smash with peach peonies and fairy lights photographed by NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby reaches for ombre pink cake during cake smash inspired by wedding decor photographed by NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby plays with wooden spoon by ombre pink cake during cake smash inspired by wedding decor photographed by NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby girl in pink dress sits by ombre pink cake in front of wooden arbor and peach peonies for first birthday photographed by NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
siblings help birthday girl with cake during woodland inspired cake smash photographed by NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
siblings try to feed baby sister during cake smash for first birthday in studio photographed by Nicole Starr Photography
siblings help birthday girl with cake during woodland inspired cake smash photographed by NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby girl smashes up cake with wooden spoon in front of wooden arch and peach peonies photographed by NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
one year old toddler stands in peach and white outfit by white stool in studio photographed by NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
big brothers in blue sweaters hug baby sister on couch during studio family portraits with Nicole Starr Photography
one year old sits in peach and white onesie on sofa during milestone portraits with NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
one year old sits in peach and white onesie on sofa during milestone portraits with NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
three siblings sit on sofa during family photos in studio photographed by NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
one year old sits in peach and white onesie on mom’s lap during milestone portraits with NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
one year old toddler stands in peach and white outfit by white stool in studio photographed by NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
family of five sits on sofa in studio for family portraits with NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
boy in blue sweater sits on sofa during family portraits in studio with NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
family of five laughs together on sofa during family portraits with Nicole Starr Photography in studio
boy in blue sweater sits on white stool during family portraits in studio with NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography

Save this post for later:

Cake smash portraits with inspiration from wedding decor including wooden arches and peach peonies photographed by Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography

A cake smash with muted blues

Happy first birthday, Baby John! I loved photographing John’s classic first birthday cake smash here in the studio. It was a simple setup featuring a balloon garland of muted blues… and it was perfect for this little guy. When I began chatting with his parents about the theme and setup for his portraits, we knew that classic was the way we wanted to go. With a simple and muted color scheme, it was easy to achieve that look!

His parents decided on two sweet outfits for his portraits. John looked so grown up in his button down during his milestone portraits! And the little romper he wore for his smash reminded me of what we wore as kids. Definitely classic! With a taller and simple white cake from Kelly’s Kitchen, the setup was complete!

baby in blue onesie with birthday cake poses by blue balloon garland in Saratoga Springs NY studio photographed by Nicole Starr Photography

After John’s session, his family had their ordering session! They decided to order a gorgeous, hardcover linen album from his cake smash. It complements his newborn album perfectly! I love that they’re going to have both albums to enjoy for many years to come.

baby reaches for cake topper during cake smash with muted blue color palette photographed by NY baby photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby laughs sitting by cake during muted blues cake smash photographed by NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby plays with wooden spoon in front of blue balloon garland in Saratoga Springs studio photographed by Nicole Starr Photography
baby boy tilts cake off stand during cake smash with muted blue balloon garland behind him photographed by Nicole Starr Photography
baby boy in blue jumper poses in front of muted blue balloon garland during cake smash with Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby eats cake during cake smash in Saratoga Springs NY studio with Nicole Starr Photography
baby boy plays in tub during cake smash with NY baby photographer Nicole Starr Photography
toddler plays in bath tub with rubber duck during cake smash with Nicole Starr Photography, Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer
baby reaches out of tub during cake smash photos with Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
parents hold one year old on lap during studio family photos in Saratoga Springs with Nicole Starr Photography, NY family photographer
parents hold one year old on lap during studio family photos in Saratoga Springs with Nicole Starr Photography, NY family photographer
mom hugs toddler during family portraits in studio with Saratoga Springs family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
dad and son hug on couch during milestone portraits before cake smash with Nicole Starr Photography
one year old in blue button up sits on couch during milestone photos with NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography
one year old in blue button up sits on couch during milestone photos with NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography
one year old in blue button up shirt plays in studio with wooden toys during milestone photos with NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography
one year old in blue button up shirt stands by wooden stool during milestone photos with NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography

Save this classic cake smash for later:

classic cake smash with muted blues color palette for little boy photographed by Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography

Beyond the Newborn Session: Capturing the First Year of Milestones

I don’t know what it is about parenthood that makes time fly by, but I know that ever since my son was born, I’ve blinked and another year has gone by. As a mom and a professional photographer, I understand the value of portraits of my child from the newborn stage and beyond. Newborn portraits are one of the things most parents put on their “parenting to-do list”. That first year is fleeting and I think it’s so important that everyone has a chance to document their precious baby. But the documentation shouldn’t end there.

When I was a new mom, I constantly had my camera out to capture every little moment and changes in our son after our newborn portraits. Looking back, I’m so happy that I have truly beautiful and classic baby portraits of my son, in (and out) of the studio to document those stages, too. Every time he started on a new milestone or learned a new skill, I wanted to capture it forever.

baby crawls on pink blanket during studio portraits with milestone photographer Nicole Starr Photography in Saratoga Springs New York
baby girl sits in chair with flower headband during milestone photos with family photographer Nicole Starr Photography

Our babies change SO much in the first year of life - more than any other year as they grow. They grow their first teeth, laugh for the first time, and learn to sit up, crawl, and walk. Capturing all of those milestones truly matters. We all say we never want to forget those stages and changes - and with studio portraits, you never will. You’ll have those dimpled cheeks and baby giggles documented forever to enjoy.

baby lays on chunky blanket during milestone photos with Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby girls chews on pearls during milestone photos in Saratoga Springs NY studio with Nicole Starr Photography, NY family photographer
baby lays in blanket during milestone portraits with Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography

As babies grow, they enter into my favorite stage, the “Gerber Baby stage”, when they’re 6-10 months old. This is one of the most popular milestone sessions in my studio. Babies are sitting up solidly, they're happy and expressive, they interact with you and play into all of the games (peekaboo, tickles) to let us capture their amazing smiles. They're not that mobile yet so they're not running away from the camera - so it works out for us. These are often some of the best portraits to capture your little one’s personality as they start to figure out who they are.

baby rolls in chunky white blanket during studio milestone photos with Saratoga Springs NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby sits in wicker basket during milestone photos in Saratoga Springs NY studio with Nicole Starr Photography
ten month old portraits for baby boy in studio photographed by Saratoga Springs newborn photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby sits under ivory blanket during studio milestone portraits in Saratoga Springs NY with Nicole Starr Photography
baby crawls through studio during milestone photos with Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography

After the “Gerber Baby stage”, our babies inch even closer to turning one… and then comes the super popular cake smash session! These cake smash portraits are always a lot of fun. They’re a celebration of your baby - and of your family’s journey over the last year. I love watching babies and their families interact during their one year milestone and cake smash portraits in the studio. It’s also the perfect time to document something your baby is interested in, when you choose your cake smash theme.

baby sits on couch in studio with family photographer Nicole Starr Photography in Saratoga Springs
baby chews on American flag during studio milestone photos with Saratoga Springs NY photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby crawls through studio during cake smash in Saratoga Springs with NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
toddler plays during Where the Wild Things Are cake smash in studio with Nicole Starr Photography, Saratoga Springs cake smash photographer
baby plays with cake decorated with blueberries during blue themed cake smash in Saratoga Springs NY studio with Nicole Starr Photography
baby cries during cake smash with peonies photographed by Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography

Capturing your baby’s first year is so important. These studio sessions are the perfect way to document each of your baby’s milestones along the way - and a great way to ensure you’ll always have stunning portraits to remember each sweet baby smile by. Our baby’s first year always flies by… make sure you don’t miss teh chance to document it all!


Save it for later:

Grayson's Fourth Trip Around the Sun - An Outer Space Cake Smash

I say it every year, but I can't even believe that our sweet boy is another year older! Grayson is FOUR. I don't know where the time goes, but it really does move at warp speed once you become a parent. It feels like we were just doing his other cake smash sessions not that long ago (check out his first birthday, second birthday, and third birthday portraits here!)

four year old laughs during outer space cake smash with NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography

Every year I plan birthday portraits around a theme that is special to Grayson. When he was a baby, his favorite stuffed animal was a llama so we did a llama cake smash -- and it's still his favorite stuffed animal to this day! At age 2, he was obsessed with school buses, so naturally that's what his theme was. Last year at age 3, he was all about the mail truck.

But now this year feels different because he's not just into things with wheels anymore. As he likes to tell everyone, he's "really into space" and "obsessed with the planets."

Our little guy is super interested in learning everything he can about space. This future astronomer first saw pictures of the planets in a little card game a few months ago, and ever since then he can't get enough information about space!

toddler reaches for stars during cake smash with outer space theme photographed by Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography

It quickly turned into trips to the library to check out informational books on space and a visit to the planetarium. He asks to read his space books multiple time a day, and his favorite ones are called "Wonderbooks" and they have a read-aloud story built right into the book so he can listen to them on his own. Grayson loves them and plays them over and over. He draws the planets on his chalkboard and rattles off a million and one facts about the planets, their moons, which ones are gassy, which ones are bigger than others, and why some are so cold. He talks about asteroid belts and comets, galaxies and the big bang. It feels like we've been living in a seventh grade science class relearning all of this information alongside him, but he LOVES it and it's amazing to see what he has absorbed and understood.

Grayson asked me to do a cake smash with him, and I told him he would have to help me plan it. Naturally, we chose a space theme for his fourth birthday! He helped pick out the decorations, he chose his outfit, and helped me get it all set up. I make his cakes because of his peanut allergy, and we had fun baking this sweet concoction.

Now that he's getting older he wants to be a lot more involved in the studio, and it's really fun watching that excitement blossom inside of him. He's a pretty cool kid, and I'm excited to watch him come into his own even more this year as a four year old!

outer space cake smash for four year old photographed by New York cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
toddler laughs during cake smash with outer space theme photographed by Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
4 year old licks blue icing off wooden spoon during outer space cake smash photographed by Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
toddler eats cake pop off top of cake during outer space themed cake smash photographed by Nicole Starr Photography in Saratoga Springs studio
toddler poses during cake smash with outer space themed photographed by New York cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
toddler plays with blue icing and wooden spoon during 4th birthday cake smash photographed by Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
toddler runs around cake during outer space cake smash photographed by Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
toddler smiles during planet inspired cake smash in New York studio photographed by NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
toddler plays with outer space cake smash photographed by Saratoga Springs NY Cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
toddler poses with space inspired cake for birthday photos in studio with Nicole Starr Photography, Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer
four year old sits on navy backdrop with gold stars during outer space cake smash with NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
toddler plays with space themed cake during outer space inspired cake smash in Saratoga Springs NY studio with Nicole Starr Photography
toddler sits on stool in front of outer space backdrop during four year birthday photos with Nicole Starr Photography, Saratoga Springs NY milestone photographer
toddler smiles in space themed pajamas during outer space inspired birthday session with Nicole Starr Photography
toddler shows off spoon with blue icing during Saratoga Springs NY cake smash with Nicole Starr Photography
toddler sits with blue planet inspired cake smash in Saratoga Springs NY studio with cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
toddler plays with wooden spoon during cake smash for fourth birthday in Saratoga Springs NY studio photographed by Nicole Starr Photography

Planning your own little one's birthday portraits?


Save this for later:

A Music-Themed Cake smash for Baby Easton

I can’t believe Baby Easton is already one! It feels like yesterday that he came into the studio for his newborn session and now he’s a year old. I was so happy when his mom reached out to me to plan this cake smash for him. It’s the perfect way to celebrate your baby turning one! Cake smashes are completely personalized to your family and your baby, which makes them a great way to document this big milestone!

Since Easton loves going to weekly mommy & me music classes, his mom knew that they wanted to incorporate this into his cake smash. With a requested color palette of light blue, grey, and white, I was able to work on the setup. I love how all of the pieces came together - and I think Easton agrees. He was SO happy our entire session - and super chatty. We had a great time watching him enjoy his cake and crawl around the studio.

Happy first birthday, Easton!!

toddler bites into cake during music-themed cake smash photographed by Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby sits eating cake with silver cake topper during music-themed cake smash with Nicole Starr Photography, Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer
baby eats icing from cake during music-themed cake smash photographed by NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
toddler plays with wooden spoon during musical-themed cake smash with Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
toddler plays with wooden spoon during musical-themed cake smash with Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
toddler plays with wooden spoon on teal cake stand during musical-themed cake smash with Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby plays in bath tub during cake smash photographed by Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby plays in bath tub with rubber duck during cake smash photographed by Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby plays in bath tub with rubber duck during cake smash photographed by Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby plays in bath tub with rubber duck during cake smash photographed by Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
parents pose with toddler during Saratoga Springs family session in studio with NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
mom and son sit on sofa in studio during NY family session with Nicole Starr Photography, Saratoga Springs family photographer
dad and son sit on sofa during studio family session with Nicole Starr Photography, Saratoga Springs NY family photographer
toddler sits on sofa during studio milestone portraits photographed by Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby plays in curtains during studio family session with Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
family plays together during studio family session with Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography

Save it for later:

My Favorite Balloon Garlands for Cake Smashes

I absolutely love balloon garlands! They’re such a fun way to decorate and build a setup for cake smashes in the studio. Today, I thought it would be fun to share a few of my favorite balloon garlands so that when you start to plan your baby’s first birthday portraits, you’ve got some great ideas in mind.

Balloon garlands are an easy way to bring some color to the studio - especially if a family isn’t sure they want an actual them. They’re festive and celebratory! Paired with confetti, balloon garlands are a super fun way to celebrate your baby turning one!

Use Garlands instead of a Theme

Some families prefer to do a cake smash with no theme, but instead they have color inspiration they would like to use. A balloon garland pulls everything together and makes it festive. Just add a little confetti sprinkled on the floor, and you’re good to go!

You’ll see that we often use balloon garlands WITH a theme, too. It’s such a fun way to pull together a more theme (like the Easter Bunny, music, and a sports team, as you’ll see below!) by adding cutouts and other decor to complete the look.

Assembling Your Balloon Garland

As I prepare for birthday sessions, one of my jobs is assembling the balloon garlands. It’s much easier than you think! My number one tip is to make sure that you mix different sized balloons for a balanced look. I also love THESE balloon clips, which help me reuse my balloons for multiple sessions. All about low waste options! When you start to build the garland, bring your balloons really tightly together and then once you add it to your setup, you can re-arrange the balloons by flipping some forward and backward to get the look you want.

Below, you’ll find some of the most popular themes and color combinations - as well as a chance to click on some of the original blog posts and see the full setup!

I hope these portraits inspire you to include a balloon garland in your child’s first birthday portraits!

Pastels

baby plays with cake in front of pastel balloon garland for cake smash with Nicole Starr Photography, NY cake smash photographer
brothers eat cake during easter bunny inspired cake smash with pastel balloon arch photographed by Nicole Starr Photography
baby boy in suspenders plays with wooden spoon during music inspired cake smash with pastel blue and white balloon garland photographed by NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby girl in pigtails plays with cake during ice cream inspired cake smash with pastel balloon arch photographed by NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby plays with cake topper in front of pink and gold balloon garland for cake smash with Nicole Starr Photography
baby plays in tub in front of pastel peach, pink and purple balloon arch photographed by Nicole Starr Photography, NY cake smash photographer

Blues

baby boy sits in front of assortment of blue balloons in balloon garland photographed by first birthday photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby puts icing in his mouth in front of blue and white balloon garland photographed by Nicole Starr Photography, NY cake smash photographer
baby crawls on floor during space themed cake smash with blue and tan balloon garland photographed by NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography

Chromes/Metallics

metallic balloon arch of purples and whites for pastel cake smash for first birthday photographed by NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby girl plays in front of metallic balloon garland during cake smash photographed by NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography

White with Florals

all-white balloon garland with floral accents for boho inspired cake smash with NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby lifts wooden spoon during cake smash with all-white balloon garland with floral accents designed by NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography

Vibrant

baby plays with cake in front of orange, blue, and green balloon arch shared by NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
blue, orange, and white balloon garland for Astros inspired cake smash for one year old in Saratoga Springs NY studio

Save it for later:

Favorite Balloon garlands for cake smashes with a variety of themes shared by New York cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography

A First Trip Around the Sun Cake Smash

Happy birthday, Brandon! This little astronaut came to my Saratoga Springs NY studio for his first birthday cake smash - complete with an outer space theme. When Brandon’s parents inquired and began planning their portraits with me, I was super excited about the theme they mentioned. As we dove further into possible colors and ideas, we settled on some blues and oranges, with silver accents. Everything felt super space-y and was the perfect fit for their little birthday boy! Brandon was an absolute joy to photograph. He loved the spotlight and was excited to dig into his cake from Kelly Skitchenny! I don’t blame him… it looked delicious!

We rounded out his first birthday portraits with family portraits on the sofa in my studio. I love the classic and simple feel to these portraits - just these three and lots of smiles! What a perfect way to celebrate a first birthday!!

toddler in blue suspenders sits in chair in front of blue space themed backdrop during cake smash with Nicole Starr Photography
toddler plays with blue and peach cake during space themed cake smash with Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
toddler plays with wooden spoon during space themed cake smash photographed by NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
toddler plays in bubble bath during space themed cake smash with NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby plays in bubble bath during cake smash with Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
dad and son sit on tan couch in studio with Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
mom hugs toddler on sofa during studio portraits with Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
toddler crawls on studio floor during portraits for first birthday with Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
mom sits on sofa with toddler during studio portraits with Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
toddler sits on tan sofa with white and grey sweater during photos with  Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
dad and toddler sit on sofa during family portraits in studio with Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
parents pose with toddler in studio during family portraits with  Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
toddler plays on white studio floor during milestone portraits with Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
dad kisses son in studio during milestone portraits with  Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
family of three poses in studio photographed by Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
mom and son pose in studio during family session with Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography

Save this for later:

A first trip around the sun, space inspired cake smash photographed by Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography

A Winter ONEderland Cake Smash with Blue & Silver with Saratoga Springs cake smash photographer

Happy first birthday, Leo! I recently welcomed Leo and his wonderful parents to the studio for his first birthday cake smash. Since he’s a winter baby, we went with the ever popular theme of a Winter ONEderland. This is honestly one of my favorite themes for babies born in the colder months, and I’m always looking for ways to make it unique. For Leo’s session, we decided to use blue and silver as the main palette. And you may even recognize some of the snowflakes from our holiday sessions! They were the perfect final touch to Leo’s setup.

You never know how babies will be during their cake smashes. Some of them absolutely love the cake and others don’t. But, Leo absolutely LOVED it. He went for the cake and totally smashed it. He was definitely one of the most enthusiastic smashers I’ve ever had in the. Not to mention, one of the happiest babies! His little smiles made me giggle. Just wait until you see them!

If your baby is turning one this year, let’s talk about their cake smash portraits! I love helping families decide on the perfect theme for their little one, and making it all their own! In the meantime, enjoy scrolling through Leo’s winter cake smash portraits!


Save it for later:

A Winter ONEderland Cake Smash with Blue & Silver with Saratoga Springs cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography

A Baseball Themed Cake Smash with tips for your next session

Happy birthday, Skyler! Skyler recently came to my Saratoga Springs studio to celebrate his first birthday with a baseball themed cake smash. His dad is a huge baseball fan, so we went with an orange and blue NY Mets theme. It was so much fun to plan a session that I knew meant a lot to Skyler’s family. While I’ve done other sports setups before, this was my first Mets inspired portrait session. To add a little dimension to my overhead shots, I added some cutouts of baseballs and bats to the floor for his session. It really created a super exciting look for Skyler!

After our family portraits and cake smash were complete, Skyler got to play in the tub to clean up and end our time together. Like a lot of babies, he loved the tub more than his cake! Either way, we got some super cute portraits of him to celebrate his first birthday. I can’t wait for you to see them all.

If your little one is turning one and you plan to do a cake smash, here’s a few tips to help get your baby interested in their cake for their portraits:

  1. Consider hiding small food in the icing like puffs, cheerios, or yogurt drops. Asking them to get those foods may help get them to taste the icing.

  2. Allow them to use a wooden spoon to play and touch the cake!

  3. Take a break! There’s no pressure in my studio to get a little one to eat cake right away. Let’s have a snack or some milk and try again.

  4. Distraction! Play baby’s favorite song or hold up their favorite toy. They’ll feel more comfortable!

  5. Blow bubbles! If your little one won’t go near the cake, try adding some bubbles. As you can see with Skyler’s portraits, they add a touch of fun to the final images!

Above all, trust that your photographer will still capture all of your little one's adorable expressions and their full personality in their portraits, and maybe even a smile or two to surprise you! Cake smashes (especially!) are meant to be fun - so there’s truly no stress or pressure!


Save it for later:

A baseball themed cake smash photographed by Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography

Your Cake Smash: What to Expect

Celebrating your baby’s first birthday is such an exciting milestone! Not only is your baby ONE, but there’s so much you’ve achieved as a parent, too. It’s honestly one of the reasons I love photographing cake smash portraits so much. These babies are adorable and have some incredible new skills to show off. Plus, they’re just a lot of fun! But, cake smashes are a pretty unique type of session… and since it’s meant to be fun (and not stressful!), I want to make sure you know what to expect when you come into the studio.

Let’s celebrate together.

Today, I want to share a peek into what cake smash sessions are like, how you can prepare yourself and your almost one-year-old, and really enjoy this special time!

Choose a photographer that has plenty of experience with babies & toddlers.

Let’s start with the very first & most important thing. If you haven’t chosen a photographer yet, be sure to keep this in mind because all I want is for your little one to be comfortable and safe during their session, and for you to feel at ease the entire time.

A photographer who has plenty of experience photographing babies will be able to draw out the best smiles and expressions from your little one during your session. They know how to engage the baby and get them interested in their cake, the very best angles to capture your perfect little baby, and all of the must-have shots that will come together for a cake smash session that is more than just a smattering of portraits but that truly tells a story.

Choose a photographer who’s style and creativity you adore!

Cake smashes are one of the most creative types of sessions that baby photographers can do! Most photographers create their backdrops and props by hand, pulling together decor and other elements to bring your vision to life. Study a photographer’s portfolio to see which style you adore, and have specific requests for your cake smash setup. If you’re not sure of a theme or decor style, your photographer should be able to talk you through it to help you discover the perfect theme for your baby’s first birthday portraits.

When you arrive at the studio


When families come to my studio I have them take their shoes off at the door to keep the floors clean for the babies and toddlers that we have in our space. I let parents settle in on the studio sofa and I show them where the snacks and drinks are, and if big brother or sister is there we spend a little time in the toy corner to help them get acclimated to the new space.



Parents can change baby into their outfit for family portraits (this is usually a different outfit than we use for the cake smash). Sometimes baby will need a little more time to acclimate, and we don’t rush things! There is plenty of time for cuddles, a snack, songs, and playing before we begin your portraits.

First up come family portraits!


We start with family portraits to ease the baby into the new situation, and being in mom and dad’s arms helps make that a smooth transition! We capture a mix of family portraits, sibling portraits, and individual portraits of the baby. In the cooler months we do these in the studio in our white room setup and on the loveseat. In the warmer months we often meet at a nearby park for the family portraits before heading back to the studio for the cake smash.

Then it’s time for the cake smash!


After the family portraits we change the baby’s outfit. I usually capture a few portraits of baby on our setup without the cake before we bring out the cake. Parents are on baby duty to bring a moving baby back to the setup when they crawl off the backdrop, and we coax the baby to get comfortable with their cake. Sometimes a parents will sit right by their side if the baby prefers to be close to them, and often a parent will show them how to take a bite of the frosting or put a little on their lips to show them that it is food. Some babies need a little more help to dig into their cake, and we hide puffs or yogurt drops in the frosting to get them to dig in. I also have a wooden spoon that we pull out, and babies LOVE playing with the spoon. This always gets the biggest smiles!

Finish up with a bathtub splash!


The baby will let us know when they’re done with the cake, and we take off their outfit and get them ready for the bathtub. I fill the studio’s tiny clawfoot tub with warm water and bubbles, and then the baby gets in! This is an adorable opportunity for happy baby portraits, and I always love the smiles that we capture at the end of the session!



After we have captured a variety of portraits of your little one, we are all done! You have time to change and dress your baby, and if you need to give them a snack again before getting in the car you can absolutely do that, too!

After the session


If you’re comfortable with a sneak peek on social media, I usually share that 4-5 days after your session.

Then we will get together about 2 weeks later for your ordering appointment! We’ll choose your favorite family and baby portraits to hang on your walls, and select your favorite images for an album or a collection box. This is always my favorite part when families fall in love with the images we created of their birthday baby!

Once I send everything to print you’ll get it back in 2-6 weeks — certain products take closer to the 4-6 week mark, but others are always ready much, much sooner. When everything is ready I will either come drop it off or put it in the mail to you, or you can come pick it up at the studio. Then you’ll start enjoying your images right away at home!

Any questions? I’d be happy to chat with you about your little one’s portrait session. Click on the button below and let’s connect!


Save it for later:

Tiffany & Co Cake Smash for Baby's First Birthday

I cannot believe Giuliana is already one! She’s a Baby Plan graduate so she’s no stranger to the studio! I’ve loved watching her grow up. We started her portraits before she was even born with her mom’s maternity session then once she arrived, we captured her newborn portraits and milestones, too. And most recently, she came into the studio for her Tiffany & Co cake smash!

This session was so much fun to design. I love the colors of Tiffany & Co… I mean, who doesn’t?! Giuliana’s mom brought in boxes and ribbons from her own collection of Tiffany gifts, so it was perfect. Not only did everything look amazing but it was so personalized because this are her mom’s! How special is that? I actually learned how to tie a Tiffany bow using the ribbon and it was so fun! I’ll definitely be using those bows moving forward because they’re actually knotless bows and so easy to untie!

Giuliana definitely brought her fun personality to her portraits. I loved watching her explore and get a taste of that teal icing. She kept making me think of her newborn portraits when she was posing with her hands under her chin. We used a similar pose when she was a baby. What a fun little throwback! Enjoy a peek into this sweet Tiffany & Co cake smash for Giuliana’s first birthday!


Save it for later:

A Beach Theme First Birthday Cake Smash

I cannot believe Oliver is already a year old! He came into the studio for his newborn portraits just yesterday, I swear! :o) Now, he’s a year old and came back to the studio for a beach inspired cake smash. His family recently moved to the beach and he absolutely LOVES it there - so it was definitely a perfect theme for this little guy. His parents brought a beautiful cake from Kelly’s Kitchen to bring this setup to life and it was just stunning!

Despite the delicious looking cake, Oliver wasn’t quite sure about it all when he actually got to the studio. Even though he wasn’t too fond of the cake, we managed to capture some great expressions! I’m all about capturing your little ones as they are - happy, sad, or in between - when it comes to their smashes. Even if your baby isn’t too sure about their cake or the icing, I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve for their time in the studio!

Worried your little one won’t be interested in their cake? Try one of these tips:

  • Hide snacks in the frosting that they love! They’ll dig for them, trust me.

  • Let them play with wooden spoons - they can eat from them or just bang them around!

  • Play their favorite songs on Alexa!

  • Take a break and grab a snack or their favorite toy.

  • Have the parents hang near the edge of the backdrop so they’re nearby.

  • Lots of breaks for hugs and kisses!

  • Toys and rattles on hand for distractions can be a great option!


Save it for later:

Where the Wild Things Are Cake Smash

Well this was definitely a fun session! We planned a “Where the Wild Things Are” cake smash to go along with the theme of Jacob’s first birthday party. His mama found the most adorable romper at Zara and it went perfectly with the greenery in the decor. The little golden crown with fur (just like Max wears in the book!) was the perfect finishing touch for the birthday boy’s outfit. Find more tips for choosing a cake smash outfit here!

toddler reaches for cake during Where the Wild Things Are cake smash photographed by Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
one year old licks icing off hand during Where the Wild Things Are cake smash photographed by Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography

The last time I had this theme request was probably 5 years ago, so it was fun to pull together a brand new backdrop and create something beautiful for this sweet boy’s birthday celebration!

Wondering how to choose a theme for your baby’s cake smash? Check out these tips!

baby reaches for wooden spoon during Where the Wild Things Are cake smash photographed by Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
toddler dances around cake during Where the Wild Things Are cake smash photographed by Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
toddler in gold crown holds wooden spoon during Where the Wild Things Are cake smash photographed by Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby plays with white cake during Where the Wild Things Are cake smash photographed by Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography

Jacob LOVED this cake, and he especially enjoyed it when his big brother Jonas joined in. I have been photographing this family’s milestones since big brother was a newborn, and it’s always so amazing to see how much they grow and change over the years. Look at how sweet he is feeding his little brother here!

big brother helps toddler with icing during Where the Wild Things Are cake smash photographed by Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
brother and toddler play in cake during Where the Wild Things Are cake smash photographed by Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
toddler in green jumper and gold crown smiles during Where the Wild Things Are cake smash photographed by Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby plays in bathtub after Where the Wild Things Are cake smash photographed by Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
toddler laughs in bubble bath during Where the Wild Things Are cake smash photographed by Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
parents hold two toddlers during family photos in Saratoga Springs with NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography

We began the session with family portraits in Congress Park in downtown Saratoga Springs. Summertime colors were in full bloom and it was absolutely gorgeous!

parents pose with two sons in navy shirts and khaki pants during family photos with NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
dad holds two sons on lap during family photos with NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
mom holds son on hip during family photos with NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography

The happiest baby you ever did see!

toddler crawls around during family photos with NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
brothers hug during family photos in Saratoga Springs with NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
toddler sits on curb during family photos with NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
family of four holds hands walking through Saratoga Springs park with NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography

Save it for later:

Where the Wild Things Are cake smash photographed by Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography

A Racetrack Themed Cake Smash in Saratoga Springs

When your family moves to Saratoga Springs from across the country and most of your first year is spent in your new city, of course you want to reflect that in your choice of cake smash theme! Cameron’s family moved to the area during Covid and wanted to honor their new hometown with a racetrack themed cake smash. They dressed him up in his most dapper outfit (I looooove the colors in his shirt!) and brought a beautiful cake from Kelly’s Kitchen.

This little cutie was all smiles and he loved the attention he got while smashing his cake, but what really got him smiling were the bubbles that we blew! Look closely and you might just see a few bubbles in the corners of the pictures! ;o)

toddler plays next to blue cake for racetrack themed cake smash in Saratoga Springs photographed by Delmar NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby in pastel shirt sits by blue cake during racetrack themed cake smash photographed by Delmar NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby reaches for horse cake toppers on blue cake for racetrack themed cake smash photographed by Delmar NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby sits by horse backdrop during racetrack themed cake smash in Saratoga Springs with Delmar NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
toddler sits by blue cake during racetrack inspired cake smash in Saratoga Springs photographed by Delmar NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
toddler sits by blue cake with horse topper during racetrack inspired cake smash photographed by Delmar NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
parents hold toddler during family photos in Saratoga Springs photographed by Delmar NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography

We started their session with family portraits in Congress Park in downtown Saratoga Springs. I love this colorful spot in the park, and it was perfect for these cuddly family portraits. Cameron adored the hugs and tickles from his parents, and he was beyond happy for the family portraits!

parents tickle one year old during family photos in Saratoga Springs with Delmar NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
mom hugs toddler during family photos with Delmar NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
mom hugs one year old during family photos in Saratoga Springs with Delmar NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
dad lifts toddler up during family photos with Delmar NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
toddler plays during family photos in Saratoga with Delmar NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby walks through lawn in Saratoga Springs photographed by Delmar NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
family laughs during portraits in Saratoga Springs with Delmar NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography

Save it for later:

a racetrack themed cake smash in Saratoga Springs with Delmar NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography

A White and Green Football Cake Smash

We had such a fun football-themed cake smash for Oliver’s first birthday! I loved designing a simple football setup with whites and greens to match his custom jersey onesie, and this birthday boy had a blast digging into his cake!

His family truly loves football, and everyone has their favorite team they support. From mom and dad to big sister and grandpa, everyone has a different favorite team that they root for, and this little boy was born into a family of football fans! I know what he’ll be doing every Sunday this fall!

baby sits in green jersey looking at cake during white and green football cake smash photographed by Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby sits by football inspired cake for cake smash with Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
birthday boy poses by white cake for white and green football cake smash photographed by Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography

Just look at that SMILE!!!! Such a joyful birthday boy!

baby laughs playing with wooden spoon during white and green football cake smash with Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
one yar old wears green jersey for football cake smash with Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
big sister helps baby eat icing on cake during football cake smash photographed by Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
big sister licks wooden spoon with baby brother during cake smash photographed by Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography

Touchdown! Love this pose he did himself during his bathtub splash!

baby puts up touch down arms in tub after cake smash with Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby plays in tub during cake smash photographed by Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby tries to climb out of tub during cake smash photographed by Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby sits on white leather couch in studio during milestone photos with Saratoga Springs NY photographer Nicole Starr Photography
siblings sit on white couch during milestone photos with Saratoga Springs NY photographer Nicole Starr Photography
young girl sits with wooden toy on couch during family photos with Saratoga Springs NY photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby crawls on couch in studio during milestone photos for first birthday photographed by Saratoga Springs NY photographer Nicole Starr Photography
girl jumps on couch in blue dress during family photos with Saratoga Springs NY photographer Nicole Starr Photography
girl sits on white bench for family photos with Saratoga Springs NY photographer Nicole Starr Photography

Save it for later:

Green and white football cake smash with Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography