Looking for some first birthday photoshoot ideas? One of my clients’ favorite things about their First Birthday Photoshoot with Rebecca Kayne Photography is getting to use a themed birthday backdrop! These may be purchased backdrops from one of my favorite vendors, such as Fancy Fabrics and Props, or it may be a background custom-created using props that fit your particular theme.

And while we’re talking cake smash sessions, having a professionally decorated cake can really add to the session! If you need a decorator, I’ve created a list of my favorite utah cake decorators here.

Choosing Your Cake Smash Theme

A themed backdrop or a balloon arch backdrop are included with every session. If you want a cake smash in the next couple of weeks, you may want to go with a pre-used cake smash theme. If you have a little bit more time before your session, we can order a backdrop specifically for your cake smash session. Whether you’re looking for a girl’s cake smash theme or a boy’s cake smash theme, keep reading for some fun cake smash theme ideas.

girls hot air balloon cake smash session blue and pink hot air balloons

1st Birthday Cake Smash Ideas: Themes Currently Available in Studio (No 4 Week Wait)

Some of my favorite first birthday photoshoot ideas come from my current inventory! I’ll continue to add to this list of photoshoot ideas as time goes on, so you can get a feel for what I have available. If you aren’t someone who plans a month or two ahead, these are perfect as they’re in stock and don’t need to be ordered 3-4 weeks out (like my custom themes).

Trip Around the World

I love it when feminine backdrops incorporate blue! This cute backdrop brings in aviation with a touch of pink, and looks so cute in the background of a cake smash with all of these pretty colors.

Winnie the Pooh Theme

This Winnie the Pooh theme is a full backdrop, bordered with some greenery. This looks adorable when baby wears matching colors in the outfit, and would be even cuter with a little Winnie the Pooh stuffy (not included)

first birthday session cake smash Winnie the Pooh backdrop

Fast One Race Car Theme

This is a great first birthday photoshoot backdrop for your baby with all the energy!

race car cake smash first birthday backdrop theme

Fairytale Castle Princess Theme

This adorable backdrop features a pink castle, and is perfect for the little birthday princess!

princess cake smash idea girl cake smash

Lemonade Stand First Birthday Photoshoot Backdrop

I can’t wait to use this new lemonade stand backdrop! I think this would look adorable with a little girl in a yellow dress.

lemonaide stand first birthday photoshoot ideas cake smash

Life is Better in the Mountains First Birthday Photoshoot Theme

This is one of my favorite first birthday photoshoot ideas for boys or girls! This fun adventure styled backdrop matches the wooden cake stand, and you can dress your baby up in overalls or casual outdoor outfits!

Utah Cake Smash Photographer outdoors first birthday session

Let Your Dreams Take Flight Cake Smash Backdrop

I love airplane themed photoshoots, and this new backdrop is so perfect for your little aviator! The cozy yellows in this backdrop feel extra dreamy.

first birthday photoshoot ideas airplane backdrop

Hard Rock Hotel Cake Smash Backdrop

This cake smash backdrop is perfect for your Little Rock and Roll star!

Rock and Roll theme for Cake Smash First birthday photoshoot themes for boys

I Love Florals Cake Smash Backdrop

This backdrop is the perfect blend of fancy, while still keeping the focus on your baby girl! I love the gold and pink mix here.

cake smash backdrop with gold hearts, balloon garland and flowers

Top One First Birthday Photoshoot Theme

Another fun aviation first birthday theme for your little flier!

fun first birthday photoshoot ideas for boys

New Years Party First Birthday Cake Smash Theme

I love this first birthday photoshoot idea for girls or boys! Dress it up in style with a pretty gown or a bow tie

first birthday photoshoot ideas for girls black and gold

Pretty in Pink First Birthday Cake Smash Backdrop

For your little princess who loves everything PINK!

pink and gold balloon arch and tinsel for baby girls first birthday

Maverick First Birthday Photoshoot Theme

I love the simplicity of this red airplane photoshoot theme for a baby’s cake smash session!

maverick airplane cake smash theme backdrop

Butterfly First Birthday Photoshoot Theme

This theme includes a balloon arch with your favorite colors, a basket with some florals, and foil lined butterflies. White wooden letters spell out the word ONE. this was one of my first birthday photoshoot ideas planned by a client, and she did a great job!

Woodlands Cake Smash Backdop

This simple woodland theme is really adorable, and perfect for more neutral cake smash sessions!

Spaced Out Cake Smash Backdrop

The perfect cake smash backdrop theme for your little astronaut! The colors in this are vibrant and fun for your little one’s first birthday photoshoot!

Happy Dude Arches Backdrop Theme

This is a great alternative to the One Happy Dude Backdrop. The colors and arches make this a really fun cake smash backdrop for little boys!

Boys Hot Air Balloon Theme

This theme comes with a cute hot air balloon made from a basket and a large white balloon on top. It includes hanging hot air balloon with stars and clouds, as well as some individual hanging clouds. White wooden letters spell out ONE. This theme is best done on a blue background with some cotton clouds along the backdrop line.

utah county cake smash session with hot air balloons

Barn Door Florals Cake Smash Theme

This fun and fancy cake smash theme is perfect for families who love florals!

floral hanging vines cake smash backdrop first birthday photoshoot themes

Floral Lace Tent Theme

This first birthday photoshoot idea is very versatile in that the color scheme can vary based on the colors chosen for the balloon arch. Lace tent is topped with cute pink florals. White wooden letters spell out ONE.

utah county first birthday photoshoot tent backdrop with lace tent and balloon arch

Mr. (or Little Miss) Onederful Theme

This first birthday photoshoot theme includes this adorable “baby grand” piano, a marquee with the phrase of your choice, and light-up letters spelling out ONE. Bow ties may be included on the background balloon arch as well.

first birthday photo session black and white with baby grand piano

Nautical First Birthday Session Theme

This nautical theme is perfect for little boys or girls! It includes a blue and tan balloon arch, this cute blue boat and white wooden anchor, and a fishing net with seashells.

nautical utah county cake smash with boat and anchor and fishing net

Purple Flower Garden Theme

This flower garden theme includes these gorgeous white vases and an aluminum pot filled with purple flowers. This is especially adorable when baby is dressed in a simple white outfit.

utah county 1st birthday photoshoot purple florals and white vases

Balloon Arch

Choose a set of colors that fits your style (usually 2-3 theme colors and some neutral supporting colors).

Boho Sunshine Theme

This backdrop is so bright and cheerful! You could pair this backdrop with a neutral colored or pink outfit. I would avoid yellow, as it may blend in with the sun right in the center.

cake smash idea girls utah county baby looking down at cake

Arches Themes with Balloon Borders and glowing ONE

Three neutral colored archways bordered by balloons with glowing “one” sign attached. Balloon colors can be customized.

Other Arch Themes Available

One large arch bordered by two smaller arches. Balloons can be framing one arch with a small balloon bundle on the other side, or completely surrounding the arches as in theme #11 (Boho Sunshine Theme). Balloon colors are customizable.

First Birthday Photoshoot Ideas: Custom Themes (Not My Photos)

I love doing custom themes! There are so many options to choose from. Feel free to send me pictures of what you have in mind and we can create your perfect backdrop! Or enjoy looking through these ideas I’ve put together. These often need to be ordered 3-4 weeks prior to your session date, so if you’re absolutely in love with one of these backgrounds, make sure you plan ahead!

First Birthday Photoshoot Ideas: Backdrops From Fancy Fabrics and Props (Not My Photos)

These backdrops are currently available through my favorite backdrop vendor, Fancy Fabric and Props. Purchasing a backdrop is usually a little bit more expensive than building a simpler one, but there are a lot of cute options available! I don’t love backdrops that are TOO busy, as I feel they take away focus from baby, but these are some 1st birthday pictorial ideas that I think would work great for a first birthday photo session.

I’m going to separate these into first birthday photoshoot ideas girl and first birthday photoshoot ideas boy- although several of these could be used for either gender. For that reason, feel free to browse through both sections. It’s my hope that this helps make your search a little bit faster and easier.

If you’re looking for other vendors, I also like Baby Dream Backdrops

First Birthday Photoshoot Ideas Girl: Backdrop Themes for Girl Cake Smash Sessions

The Golden One

Featuring beautiful neutral and golden balloons and archways, this is one of the simplistic of my first birthday photoshoot ideas for girls. It really brings the focus onto your little one. I really love this backdrop paired with a cute gold outfit! I would stay away from white since there’s already so much white in the back.

white and gold backdrop for utah county cake smash photographer

Pardon Me Peony

This more muted backdrop makes for a pretty, vintage style first birthday photoshoot idea for girls. I would pair this with a simple styled cake like this one- and something light and frilly for baby girl to wear.

first birthday photoshoot ideas for girls floral backdrop with lantern

Celestial Celebration

This is another simple backdrop, which helps bring the focus right onto baby. I love the pale pinks and the gold accents.

Blush Blossom Archway

This backdrop is ultra girly with white archways dripping floral accents. I love this feminine look and think it looks great with either a simple or a frilly outfit. You could really go anyway you like with this one.

utah county cake smash photoshoot idea archway with flowers theme

Bohemian Poise

This very cute boho backdrop is best paired with a simple natural colored outfit for baby girl, and I would do a simple cake as well. If you want something a little extra, a cake with daisies would be just perfect.

Court Side Celebration

For your little basketball star!

Tiny Flutters

Butterflies are a common request for first birthday photoshoot ideas, and this purple set is really cute with some fun accents in the background. I would pair this backdrop with a white cake with purple butterflies and flowers, and either a white or purple outfit.

Cactus Camping

I love, love, love this cake smash theme for girls. The mint and pink colors are adorable together and it’s such a unique idea.

Aurora Balloon Wall

I can’t even with this princess backdrop! I love the understated carriage in the back, and the colors are so pretty together. This to me is the perfect princess backdrop.

favorite first birthday photoshoot ideas for girls princess theme with carriage in back and colored balloons

Incredibly Glamorous

I really love gold accents and think they make photos just pop, which is why I had to add this to my list of first birthday photoshoot ideas for girls. This backdrop is perfect for girls who love sparkle!

Day of the Daisies

The yellow in this cake smash backdrop is so bright and cheerful! I would pair this with a white cake (maybe daisy accents). Really fun for summertime birthdays!

Pastel Starry Rainbow

This backdrop is such a fun way to add color to a girl’s cake smash session! The twinkle lights along the bottom add some whimsy and I love the cake this family chose.

Boho Hideaway

Another really fun boho backdrop that made it onto my list of first birthday photoshoot ideas for girls. This set does not come with the chair or macrame rug.

Glimmering Mermaid Retreat

This mermaid backdrop is the CUTEST. I would definitely lean into the purples and blues here. There are so many fun things you could do with this cake smash theme!

Balloon Barnyard

I love how this cake smash theme for girls brings in some farm fun, while keeping things super feminine. The cow print balloons are such a cute touch!

Butterfly Bouquet Bliss

Another cute butterfly cake smash theme, while this one pulls out all the stops and really has a lot going on. With all of these colors, you have a lot of flexibility as far as outfit and cake colors and style.

Onederlust

This is one of the more muted of my first birthday photoshoot ideas, with pale orange and beige tones it gives me 70s vibes.

So Sophisticated

I would absolutely pair this backdrop with either a black or white outfit for baby. And maybe even a black, white and pink cake. The roses give a touch of elegance to this first birthday photoshoot idea for girls.

First Birthday Photoshoot Ideas Gender Neutral: Backdrop Themes for Gender Neutral Cake Smash Sessions

Party Animal

I’ll be honest, the matching party hat is what really makes this theme! I love the stuffed animals in the backdrop paired with the brightly colored balloons.

Boho Glow

The colors in this are so bright and fun, while keeping things very gender neutral, which is why it made the top of my list of gender neutral first birthday photoshoot ideas. It really would work great for either boys or girls. I would stay away from whites, but tans, gold or orange fit perfectly.

gender neutral cake smash theme ideas yellow sun with yellow and orange balloons

Sweet Honey Greenhouse

This cute little greenhouse is such a fun cake smash theme idea. A cake with little honey bees would be so cute with this setup.

First Birthday Photoshoot Ideas Boy: Backdrop Themes for Boy Cake Smash Sessions

First Derby

This backdrop tops my list of first birthday photoshoot ideas for boys because I love the simplicity of the colors here, as well as the automobile theme!

Baby Blue Birthday

Sometimes simple is best, and this brings in some blue in a really understated way- bringing more attention to your little boy.

blue backdrop for first birthday photo session utah county

One Happy Dude

A great little boy cake smash backdrop for little guys with a lot of personality! I would pair this with a yellow outfit.

Bear With Me

Another outdoor theme, and I love the stars in the background of this. Especially perfect for those of us who love the mountains!

utah cake smash photographer woods backdrop

Sailing out to Sea

Of course I had to add a nautical theme to my first birthday photoshoot ideas! Honestly this is in the boys category, but I think it would be very cute for little girls as well. The backdrop has so much going on, that I would keep baby’s outfit pretty simple for this one.

ONE-derful

This boy cake smash theme really leans into the bow tie, so bring one along! Black and White is the name of the game with this setup!

Speed Racer

Although it’s close to the end of this blog post, this is one of my very favorite first birthday photoshoot ideas for boys! It’s the perfect blend of background images and they’re laid out with a nice spot for baby right in the middle. I would keep baby’s outfit simple in this one, and love the inclusion of jeans!

I’m Blue for You

The colors in this backdrop are what really make it. I love the navy blue with the green accents! This is a great backdrop for dressing up baby a little extra fancy, or keeping it simple if that’s your style.

Endzone Party

The first of my two first birthday photoshoot ideas for football fans! I can picture this being so cute with a little guy in a football jersey. Or just jeans and a white t-shirt. There are so many fun directions you could take the cake with this backdrop as well.

Zippy Little Racer

Another really cute car cake smash backdrop theme! With the bright colors of the backdrop I’d probably do a simple outfit for baby, and I’d likely include jeans with the blue jean vibe of the background. Once again, so may ways you could do the cake on this backdrop.

Touchdown Baby

I really love this first birthday photoshoot football backdrop- mainly because it looks designed with a cake smash in mind. There’s a perfect spot right in the middle for little boy to sit with his cake! This is the perfect backdrop for your little football fan.

I hope you enjoyed browsing these adorable first birthday photoshoot ideas!

As mentioned before, I’ve separated these into first birthday photoshoot ideas for girls and first birthday photoshoot ideas for boys, but many of these can be interchangeable. This was done only to keep the organization more simple for your browsing.

Reach out if you’d like to schedule a Cake Smash Session! If you’re still browsing, check out this article on my favorite Utah Cake Smash Decorators.