50 Adorable First Birthday Photoshoot Ideas

Looking for some first birthday photoshoot ideas? One of my client’s 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 a Cake Smash Theme

A themed backdrop or a balloon arch backdrop are included with every session. If you’re wanting 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.

1st Birthday Pictorial Ideas: Pre-Used Themes

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)

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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!

6. 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)

7. 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.

8. Balloon Arch

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

9. Fairytale Castle Princess Theme

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

First Birthday Photoshoot Ideas: Theme Inspiration (Not My Photos)

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!

10. Airplane Theme

I’ve had my eye on this adorable airplane prop for a while, and just need an excuse to buy it! If you’re interested in an airplane theme, this one will take a little advance notice but would totally be worth the wait. I even have this adorable aviator hat that would fit just perfectly.

11. Forest/Wild One First Birthday Photoshoot Theme

The lions mane in this shoot MAKES IT. So Adorable! I would look for one on Etsy. I love the wooden cake stand as well, and the greenery mixed throughout the balloons.

12. Baby’s Breath Balloon Arch

I love how simple and yet beautiful this 1st birthday pictorial idea is, with an elegant balloon arch mixed through with pieces of baby’s breath florals. Balloon arches are highly customizable. I usually do a theme color or two mixed with some neutrals.

13. Hanging Floral Arch Theme

This is another simple, yet beautiful backdrop theme for a first birthday session. Hanging florals suspended by twine along a white background. This is one of those first birthday photoshoot ideas that’s perfect for the minimalist mama.

14. Neutral Arches with Balloon Borders

Three neutral colored archways bordered by balloons and florals, with glowing “one” sign attached. (I actually do have a cute claw footed tub for splash sessions, so while this tub isn’t included with the backdrop we can totally get this kind of photo).

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.

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

19. 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.

20. 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.

21. Trip Around the World

I love it when feminine backdrops incorporate blue! This cute backdrop brings in aviation with a touch of pink, and is one I would love to add to my collection!

22. 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.

23. 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.

24. 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.

25. 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!

26. 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!

27. 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.

28. 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.

29. 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!

30. 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!

31. 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.

32. 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.

33. 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

34. 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.

35. 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.

36. New Years Cheers

This cake smash theme just screams classy to me. It would be extra adorable paired with my white baby piano prop.

37. 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

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.