Best Cake Smash Photography in Sydney
A cake smash session is a brilliant way to mark your little one's first birthday — equal parts giggles, frosting and gorgeous photos. This guide covers what to expect on the day, typical Sydney pricing, and how to pick the right photographer, and features some of Sydney's top-rated cake smash studios.
1. Blossom Brook Studio
North Ryde, NSW
Blossom Brook Studio in North Ryde, Sydney specialises in newborn, maternity, baby, cake smash, children's, and family photography. Offering both studio and outdoor sessions, the studio focuses on soft, neutral-toned, heartfelt imagery. Packages start from $399 with no session fees.
2. Cherry on Top Photography
Baulkham Hills, NSW
Cherry on Top Photography, run by Amelia McKee in Baulkham Hills (Hills District, NSW), has served the local community for over 14 years. Specialising in maternity, newborn, family, and cake smash photography, the studio offers professional portrait sessions with a focus on quality and care.
3. Millimetre photography
Silverwater, NSW
Multi-award-winning studio based in Sydney's Inner West (Croydon), offering newborn, baby, maternity, family, and first birthday/cake smash photography. Known for timeless, affordable packages from $399 with 5-star ratings. Sessions appear to include both studio and on-location shoots.
4. JASON JIA PHOTOGRAPHY
Silverwater, NSW
Jason Jia Photography is based in Silverwater, NSW, specialising in newborn, maternity, family, baby, cake smash, milestone, and children's photography. Specific style details and studio or on-location preferences are not explicitly stated in the available website text.
5. Faithful Photography - Newborn & Family Photographer Sydney
Glen Alpine, NSW
Faithful Photography is a husband-and-wife studio based in Glen Alpine and Gledswood Hills, Sydney, established in 2010. AIPP-accredited, they specialise in newborn, maternity, family, and cake-smash photography across two studios, delivering cinematic, gallery-quality portraits with unhurried sessions and in-studio artwork viewing.
6. AnnaClaire Studio
Strathfield, NSW
AnnaClaire Studio in Strathfield, NSW offers studio and outdoor lifestyle photography for newborns, maternity, babies, families, cake smash, and children. Photographer Yin handles shooting and editing; Sofia settles babies and assists parents. Style is warm, timeless, and elegant with soft natural light.
7. Sue Beaumont Photography
Baulkham Hills, NSW
Sue Beaumont Photography is based in Baulkham Hills, Sydney Hills District, with a cosy studio and on-location options. Sue shoots newborn, maternity, family, children, and cake smash sessions. Her style is natural and heartfelt, capturing golden-hour outdoor light, in-home newborn sessions, and relaxed studio portraits across Sydney.
8. HelloBABY Photography
Oatley, NSW
HelloBABY Photography, based in Oatley NSW, is run by Reka Choy with 10+ years experience. She specialises in newborn, maternity, family, sitter, and cake smash sessions from a studio setting, also offering outdoor locations for maternity. Certified in safe baby posing with a complete wardrobe available and all-inclusive cake smash packages.
9. Noémie Vonthron Photography- Family photographer
Gladesville, NSW
Award-winning Sydney portrait photographer based in Gladesville, NSW with a cosy studio. Specialises in newborn, maternity, family, baby milestone, and cake smash photography. Offers in-studio and outdoor sessions with props, wardrobe, and backdrops provided. Serves North Shore and Inner West Sydney.
10. Maia Photography
Kogarah, NSW
Maia Photography, based in Kogarah/Sydney NSW, specialises in newborn, maternity, family, cake smash and milestone photography. Maia uses natural light with a soft, warm atmosphere, offering both studio and outdoor sessions, with complementary wardrobe and props to create personalised, timeless images.
11. Harlly & Co Photography
North Sydney, NSW
Harlly & Co Photography is a family-owned studio based in North Sydney/Crows Nest, specialising in maternity, newborn, family, baby, cake smash, and children's portraits. Offering both studio and on-location sessions, they bring 20 years of experience with graceful direction, pose coaching, and wardrobe consultation.
12. Zen Life Photography
Adamstown Heights, NSW
Zen Life Photography, based in Adamstown Heights (Newcastle), NSW, is run by Tonya and specialises in newborn, maternity, family, sitter (baby milestone), and cake smash photography. Sessions are offered in a fully equipped studio or on location (beach, outdoor, home). She serves Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Hunter Valley and surrounds.
13. Butter Newborn Photography
Condell Park, NSW
Butter Newborn Photography is a studio-based photographer in Condell Park, NSW 2200, specialising in newborn, maternity, family, and cake smash sessions. Sessions run 2–3 hours; edited images delivered via Google Drive within 8 weeks. Black and white edits also offered. Siblings and grandparents welcome at newborn sessions.
14. McGill Photography
Kurnell, NSW
McGill Photography is run by Lauren, based in Kurnell, NSW, serving the Sutherland Shire and Sydney. She specialises in newborn, family, cake smash, and maternity photography. Recognised as a Top 10 Sydney newborn photographer (2023–2024) and Top 5 maternity photographer (2021), Lauren is known for high-quality, affordable sessions.
15. Alla Darkina photography
Kellyville, NSW
Alla Darkina is a Sydney newborn and family photographer with 15+ years of experience, based in a studio in Kellyville, Hills District. She offers newborn, maternity, family, baby milestone, cake smash, and children's sessions, capturing light-filled images described as full of happiness.
16. 1,2,3 Smile Photography
Yagoona, NSW
Award-winning photographer Amanie Kalache based in Yagoona, NSW, specialising in newborn, maternity, baby/sitter, cake smash, and family photography. Sessions are conducted in a studio setting, producing sentimental keepsake albums and wall art for families.
17. Amy Tong Photography
Balmain, NSW
Amy Tong Photography is a studio-based specialist in Balmain, Sydney Inner West, with over 13 years' experience. Amy offers maternity, newborn, 3-month, sitter (baby), and 1st birthday cake smash sessions. Her style is described as natural and timeless. She is a Certified Photographer with the Academy of Newborn Photography.
18. Rachel Wildig Photography
Freshwater, NSW
Rachel Wildig Photography is based in Freshwater, Sydney, offering maternity, newborn, older baby, cake smash, family, and pet portrait photography. Sessions appear to be conducted in-studio and/or on-location, with a style spanning posed newborns through to family and milestone shoots.
19. Ada & Eve Photography
North Ryde, NSW
Ada & Eve Photography, based in North Ryde NSW, offers studio and on-location sessions. Sarah photographs newborns, sitters (6–8 months), cake smashes, maternity, family, children, and fine arts. The North Ryde studio hosts newborn and sitter sessions; maternity and family shoots also take place outdoors across Sydney.
20. Azi Khoshkam Photography
West Pymble, NSW
Azi Khoshkam Photography is based in Pymble, NSW, specialising in intimate in-home newborn, maternity, family, and cake smash sessions across Sydney's North Shore. Sessions are primarily conducted at clients' homes, with outdoor options available for family and maternity. No studio visits — Azi travels to clients within 20km of Pymble.
21. Photography by Jessica Anne
Saint Clair, NSW
Photography by Jessica Anne is a St Clair, Western Sydney studio offering newborn (posed studio or in-home lifestyle), maternity (studio or sunset), family (sunset or in-home), baby/sitter, and cake smash sessions. Studio has two dedicated spaces with props, wraps, client closet, and backdrops. Also shoots on location across Sydney.
22. Moments In Bloom Family & Newborn Photography
Box Hill, NSW
Moments In Bloom is a Sydney-based studio (Castle Hill) offering relaxed, lifestyle-inspired newborn, maternity, family, milestone, and cake smash sessions. Photographer Joanna serves the Hills District, Western Sydney, and North Shore, shooting in-studio, on location outdoors, and in-home using natural light with a candid, child-led approach.
23. studio in nature
Kellyville, NSW
Studio in Nature is a photography studio based in Kellyville, NSW, offering newborn, 100-day baby, maternity, 1-year/cake smash, family, and Hanbok sessions. Contact is via text or KakaoTalk. The studio appears to cater strongly to Korean-speaking clients.
24. Art of Light Studios
Balmain, NSW
Art of Light Studios is a photo studio for hire in Balmain, Sydney's Inner West. It features natural light, period features, hand-painted backdrops and modern equipment. The studio serves amateur and professional photographers, offers photography workshops and tutoring, and provides photography services across a range of portrait genres.
25. Kylie Fisk Photography
Kareela, NSW
Kylie Fisk is a highly experienced mobile (on-location) photographer based in Kareela, Sutherland Shire, Sydney. She specialises in newborn, maternity, family, children, and cake smash photography, travelling across Sydney, Wollongong, Southern Highlands and beyond. Finalist in the 2021 and 2022 Sutherland Shire Small Business Awards.
26. bite me photography
Belmont, NSW
Bite Me Photography is run by AIPP-accredited photographer Kath from a portrait studio in Belmont, NSW. Specialising in maternity, newborn, family, and cake smash photography, she offers both studio and outdoor sessions across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Central Coast, and Hunter Valley, with over 15 years of experience.
27. Studio Maybe
Brookvale, NSW
Studio Maybe is a Sydney photography studio based in Brookvale, NSW, offering newborn, maternity, family, baby, cake smash, milestone, and children's photography. Sessions are conducted from their studio at U8/111 Old Pittwater Rd, Brookvale.
28. Divine Images Photography
West Pennant Hills, NSW
Divine Images Photography, based in West Pennant Hills, Sydney, is run by Deanna, who specialises in timeless, fine-art-style newborn, maternity, cake smash, baptism, and christening photography. Sessions are conducted in a warm studio. Deanna has a background in interior design and fine art, bringing strong compositional sensibility to her work.
29. MK Creative Photography and Designs | Sydney Photographer
Kogarah, NSW
MK Creative Photography and Designs is run by award-winning Sydney photographer Marianthi Karadoukas, based in the St George area (Kogarah, NSW). With over 10 years' experience and a background in childhood education, she captures families, newborns, and life milestones with a relaxed, guided approach.
30. Mani Photography
Westmead, NSW
Mani Photography, based in Westmead NSW, is a broad-scope photography business run by Mani Koushik Nalabapa. Portfolio includes newborn, maternity, and cake smash sessions alongside weddings, birthdays, and events. Sessions appear to be on-location. No studio or specific style details are explicitly stated.
31. Little Hearts Photography | Newborn & Baby Photographer | Best Maternity Photoshoot
Marsden Park, NSW
Little Hearts Photography is based in Marsden Park, Sydney, offering maternity, newborn, milestone, cake smash, and family photography. Led by an Indian photographer, the studio delivers creative, high-quality sessions with a personalised approach, creating timeless images for growing families.
32. Fably Photography
Parramatta, NSW
Fably Photography is a studio-based photographer in Parramatta, NSW, specialising in newborn, maternity, baby, family, and cake smash sessions. Operating since 2020, the warm studio is designed for families. They create timeless imagery capturing life's earliest and most precious moments.
33. Vimage Photography
Pennant Hills, NSW
Vimage Photography, based in Pennant Hills, Sydney, specialises in newborn, baby, children and family, maternity, and cake smash photography. Photographer Audrey offers both studio and on-location sessions, travelling to client-chosen locations. Known for a relaxed, patient approach with props and varied backgrounds.
34. Kristy's Studio
Wentworth Falls, NSW
Kristy's Studio is an award-winning, purpose-built studio in Wentworth Falls, Blue Mountains, NSW, established in 2005 with 25+ years experience. Kristy specialises in newborn, maternity, baby, milestone, cake smash, and family photography, creating timeless albums and wall art for families.
35. CLOUD NINE STUDIO
Rockdale, NSW
Cloud Nine Studio is a photography studio based in Rockdale, NSW, specialising in newborn, maternity, family, baby, and cake smash photography. Sessions appear to be studio-based, with a soft, clean aesthetic evident in the gallery imagery.
36. First Moments Photography
Granville, NSW
First Moments Photography is a custom portrait studio in Granville, NSW, run by photographer Elle. Specialising in timeless newborn portraits, milestone sessions, cake smash, baby and family photography. Offers both studio sessions and outdoor on-location shoots across Sydney. Recognised Top 10 Newborn and Cake Smash Photographer 2021–2023.
37. Blink of Light Photography
Rouse Hill, NSW
Olga is an accredited, award-winning newborn and family photographer based in Rouse Hill, NSW. She shoots from a private home studio and on location (golden hour outdoor). Specialising in newborn, maternity, family, milestone and cake smash sessions, she delivers full colour-graded galleries of 30–50+ images across the Hills District and greater Sydney.
38. Catie Allen Photography
Bondi Beach, NSW
Catie Allen Photography, based in Bondi Beach NSW, is directed by photographer Catie Allen. The website indicates photography services but provides minimal detail on style or session types from the available text. Contact is via hello@catieallen.com.
39. John Fotiadis Photography
Bondi Beach, NSW
John Fotiadis Photography is based in Bondi Beach, NSW, offering newborn, maternity, baby, family, children, milestone, and cake smash photography. The website text provides minimal detail on style or studio versus on-location sessions beyond the photographer's name and location.
40. KINFOLK STUDIOS
Surry Hills, NSW
Kinfolk Studios is a photography studio based in Surry Hills, NSW, offering studio-based sessions. Their website references an interior studio space and location, suggesting a professional studio environment, but specific services, photographer names, and contact details are not explicitly stated in the available website text.
What a cake smash session involves
A cake smash is a fun, milestone photo session built around your child's first birthday. The photographer sets up a colourful backdrop or themed scene, dresses bub in a cute outfit (or a nappy and not much else — frosting goes everywhere), and gives them their very own cake to explore, squish and splash. The magic is in the unscripted reactions: the cautious first poke, the wide-eyed taste test, and eventually the full-blown demolition.
Most sessions are split into two parts. First, there are clean 'before' portraits — your child sitting nicely, maybe with a few props, balloons or a birthday banner. Then comes the cake itself. Many studios finish with a splash or bubble bath segment to rinse off the mess, which makes for some of the most joyful frames of the day.
What to expect on the day
Plan for the session to run anywhere from 45 minutes to a couple of hours. Babies set the pace, so a relaxed approach works best. Time the session around your child's nap and feed schedule — a well-rested, recently-fed baby is a happy participant.
Bring a spare outfit, a comforter or favourite toy, and don't stress about the mess. Reputable studios have everything covered with drop sheets, towels and a clean-up plan. Some children dive straight in; others need a few minutes to warm up. A good photographer will be patient, keep the energy light, and never force the issue.
It's worth noting that not every baby loves smashing a cake, and that's completely fine. Skilled photographers know how to coax out genuine moments without distress.
Typical Sydney price and package ranges
Pricing varies widely depending on the photographer's experience, inclusions and how many edited images you receive. As a general guide for Sydney (and these figures are indicative only — always confirm current pricing directly):
- Mini or session-only packages: roughly $200–$400, often with a limited number of digital images.
- Standard cake smash packages: roughly $400–$700, typically including the cake, outfit hire, props, backdrop and a set of edited digital images.
- Premium packages: $700–$1,200+, which may bundle prints, wall art, albums, multiple outfit changes or a combined birthday/family session.
Ask what's included in the headline price. The cake, outfit and props are sometimes extra, and additional digital images or prints can add up quickly. Get the full picture before you book.
Studio vs on-location and lifestyle options
Studio sessions are the most common choice for cake smashes. A studio gives full control over lighting, backdrops and themes, plus an easy clean-up — important when frosting is being flung about. Many of Sydney's top studios, such as those featured on this page across North Ryde, Silverwater, Strathfield and beyond, offer purpose-built setups with a wardrobe of outfits and props.
On-location or lifestyle sessions take place at a park, beach or your home for a more natural, candid feel. These suit families who want a relaxed, storytelling style. Keep in mind that outdoor cake smashes depend on weather, and home sessions mean you handle the clean-up.
How to choose a photographer in Sydney
With so many talented photographers across Sydney, here's how to narrow it down:
- Portfolio and style: Browse full galleries, not just highlight reels. Decide whether you prefer bright and colourful, soft and pastel, or dark and moody. Make sure the photographer's editing style matches your taste.
- Reviews and ratings: Consistent five-star reviews across a large number of clients — like several of the studios featured here — are a strong signal of reliability and a good experience.
- Experience with babies: Working with one-year-olds takes patience and the right temperament. An experienced child and family photographer will keep things calm and fun.
- Accreditation and insurance: Ask whether the photographer holds professional accreditation (for example through the AIPP) and carries public liability and professional indemnity insurance. This offers peace of mind, especially in a studio setting.
- What's included: Confirm the cake, outfits, props, number of edited images, and turnaround time in writing.
When to book
First-birthday dates don't move, and the best Sydney photographers book out weeks or months ahead. Aim to secure your session 4–8 weeks before your child's birthday. Booking early also gives time to coordinate outfits, theme and cake. If you'd like the photos ready in time for the birthday party, factor in editing turnaround, which is often 2–4 weeks.
Questions to ask before you book
- What's included in the package price, and what costs extra?
- Do you provide the cake and outfit, or do I bring my own?
- How many edited digital images do I receive, and what's the turnaround?
- Can I see a full sample gallery in your editing style?
- Do you offer a splash or bath finish, and is it included?
- Are you insured, and what's your policy if my baby is unsettled on the day?
- What's the rescheduling policy if bub is unwell?
With a little planning and the right photographer, a cake smash session delivers some of the most treasured photos of your child's first year — frosting and all.
Other session types in Sydney
Or read the full cake smash photography guide, or browse all Sydney photographers.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a cake smash photography session take?
Most sessions run between 45 minutes and two hours. The pace is set by your baby, so timing the session around a nap and feed helps keep them happy and engaged throughout the clean portraits, cake and splash stages.
How much does a cake smash session cost in Sydney?
As a general guide, expect roughly $200–$400 for session-only or mini packages, $400–$700 for standard packages including cake and outfit, and $700–$1,200+ for premium packages with prints or albums. These are indicative ranges only — always confirm current pricing with the photographer.
Who provides the cake and outfit?
It varies. Many Sydney studios include a cake, themed outfit and props in their package, while others ask you to supply your own. Always confirm what's included before booking so there are no surprises on the day.
When should I book a cake smash session?
Book around 4 to 8 weeks before your child's first birthday. Sydney's most popular photographers fill up quickly, and booking early allows time to plan the theme, outfit and cake, and to have edited photos ready before any birthday party.
What if my baby doesn't want to smash the cake?
That's very common and completely fine. Experienced child photographers are patient and skilled at capturing genuine reactions, even cautious ones. They'll keep the mood light and never force your baby, so you still come away with beautiful, natural images.