master's themed first birthday
This little guy celebrated turning one with the cutest "Hole in One" golf-themed cake smash! From the coordinating backdrop and custom cake by Wesley Made Sweets to his adorable miniature Masters jacket, every detail came together perfectly. He was all smiles from start to finish, making this one of those sessions that's just impossible not to love. Thoughtful themes paired with a happy birthday boy always make for a memorable first birthday celebration.
sweet one first birthday session
Wyatt's Sweet One cake smash was such a joy to design and celebrate. From the adorable theme to her happy, smiley personality, everything came together perfectly for a beautiful first birthday session. One of my favorite parts was getting to see her again—I also photographed her newborn session, and it's always such an honor when families come back to celebrate these milestones with me. Watching my tiniest clients grow from sleepy newborns into curious, joy-filled one-year-olds never gets old.
first bow day!
First Bow Day has quickly become one of my favorite cake smash themes, and I can definitely see why it's so popular. Soft pink bows, delicate details, and a timeless color palette create the sweetest backdrop for celebrating a little girl's first birthday. It's simple, elegant, and lets your little one's personality shine. I have a feeling this is one theme I'll never get tired of creating.
simply one birthday photos
Not every family wants an elaborate birthday theme—and that's one of the things I love most about cake smash sessions. Sometimes, simple is exactly the right choice. For this sweet boy's first birthday, mom chose a classic palette of whites and blues, keeping the focus where it belonged: on her little guy. A beautiful blue ombré cake, a few balloons, and plenty of smiles came together to create a timeless first birthday gallery that will never go out of style.
holy cow, she's one cake smash
When mom and dad told me their little girl was obsessed with cows, there was only one option: a "Holy Cow, She's One!" cake smash. From the barn-inspired setup to the adorable farm animal details, this theme was so much fun to bring to life. She loved every second of it—and definitely enjoyed the cake, too! Personalized cake smash themes are such a fun way to celebrate your little one's unique personality and create memories that are just as special as they are.
one silly goose first birthday
One Silly Goose has been one of the most popular cake smash themes this year, and it's easy to see why. The soft blues, whimsical details, and playful touches photograph beautifully while keeping the focus on your birthday baby. I have a feeling this is one theme that's here to stay! Best of all, I provide everything for your little one's first birthday session—including the backdrop, outfit, and a custom cake from Wesley Made Sweets—so all you have to do is show up and enjoy celebrating your baby's big milestone.
The frosting, the giggles, the first birthday magic?
You'll want to remember that.
Harrisburg Cake Smash Photography
I specialize in cake smash photography that's fun, stress-free, and designed to celebrate your little one's biggest milestone. Serving families throughout Harrisburg and Central PA, my goal is simple: to create a first birthday experience that's as easy for parents as it is memorable for their baby.
From the custom backdrop and outfit to a beautiful cake from Wesley Made Sweets, I take care of every detail so you don't have to. All you need to do is bring your birthday boy or girl to my studio and enjoy watching them laugh, explore, and dig into their cake. Whether you choose a custom theme or a simple, timeless setup, I'll create a gallery that celebrates your baby's unique personality and this unforgettable milestone.
Take a look around, browse through my cake smash portfolio, and get inspired by the many themes we've created together. If you think we'd be a great fit, I'd love to help you celebrate your little one's first birthday. These moments only happen once, and there's no sweeter way to remember them than with a session that's full of smiles, frosting, and memories you'll treasure forever.
Not sure a cake smash is your style? That's okay! Many families choose to celebrate their baby's first birthday with a simple milestone or child portrait session instead. If you'd rather skip the cake and focus on timeless portraits of your growing little one, be sure to browse my Milestone & Child Portrait Portfolio to see another beautiful way to celebrate this special age.
I can't wait to celebrate with your family!
HARRISBURG FIRST BIRTHDAY PHOTOGRAPHER
THE CAKE SMASH EXPERIENCE
The first step is easy! Reach out through my contact form and tell me a little about your birthday boy or girl. Whether you already have a theme in mind or need a little inspiration, I'll send over all the details and help you choose the perfect session for your little one.
SAY HELLO
01.
Once you're ready to book, we'll choose a date—typically 2–3 weeks before your baby's first birthday or party—complete your contract, and pay your retainer to officially reserve your session.
RESERVE YOUR SESSION
02.
Now for the best part! We'll finalize your theme, colors, and overall vision. I take care of ordering your custom cake from Wesley Made Sweets, along with the backdrop, props, and outfit, so you don't have to worry about a thing.
03.
PLAN THE FUN
Simply arrive at the studio with your little one and let the fun begin! We'll start with classic portraits before bringing out the cake for plenty of smiles, messy fingers, and frosting-covered memories. All you have to do is enjoy watching your baby celebrate this incredible milestone.
YOUR SESSION
04.
Within a week, you'll receive your proofing gallery to choose your favorite images. Once you've made your selections, I'll hand-edit each photograph before delivering your final gallery—ready to download, print, and remember this sweet first birthday for years to come.
ENJOY YOUR MEMORIES
05.
PRICING DETAILS
SESSIONS FROM $450
Stress-Free from Start to Finish
From the custom cake and backdrop to outfits and props, I take care of every detail. You simply show up with your birthday baby and enjoy the celebration.
Made Just for Your Little One
Whether you have a Pinterest board full of ideas or no clue where to start, I'll create a custom setup that's perfect for celebrating your baby's first birthday.
Not Looking for a Cake Smash?
That's okay! If you'd rather skip the cake, I also offer simple milestone portrait sessions that focus on your baby's personality without the mess.
We found Kate shortly after we moved to the area while I was 6 months pregnant with our second. And we've been with her ever since!!! We did the full year with our second with her. We are now on number 3 and she has captured some of the most precious pictures of our family!
Kelsey S.
Kate is so amazing to work with!!! We will be using her for all of our families needs going forward!
- Alyssa M.
"Kate makes the entire experience seamless and stress-free from start to finish. She has a natural way of putting you at ease, making the shoot feel fun and relaxed rather than posed or forced. Her work truly speaks for itself. You won't be disappointed."
- Sallyann B.
Kate did an incredible job capturing our family photos. I shared my vision with her, and she went above and beyond to bring it to life. She was so patient with my kids and gave us the most beautiful golden hour session—plus a fast gallery turnaround! We’ll absolutely be using her again for future photos.
- Katie R.
"We have had family photos taken by Kate five times now and every session has been wonderful. She has a true gift with babies, patient, gentle, and always able to capture those sweet candid moments. We are always so happy with the photos we get back."
- Dana S.
"I am SO thankful I found Kate. She has done both my maternity and my daughter's newborn pictures. Life can be overwhelming days after welcoming a newborn, but Kate made the session so easy. From coming to our home to providing clothes from her client closet for the whole family, I couldn't be more thankful."
- Macie H.
FAQ
Nope! When I say we take care of it all, I mean it! Cakes are provided as part of your session cost by the amazingly talented Wesley Made Sweets. However, if you have dietary restrictions or would like a specific recipe followed, you would be responsible for providing an alternative cake.
Most milestone sessions take place in my centrally located studio just off I-83 minutes from Harrisburg. Outdoor milestone sessions can also be incredibly fun and I've got a curated list of perfect locations for all of your photography needs.
The best time to book your Harrisburg cake smash session is around 11 months so you have the photos before their first birthday!
That’s completely normal and totally expected! I’ll meet your kids right where they are, and together, we’ll find ways for them to be themselves and have fun. Sitting still and saying "cheese" isn’t my style. Instead, we’ll play games, chat about their favorite things, and capture who they truly are in this moment!
Where will my cake smash session take place?
Do I need to bring the cake to my first birthday session?
How far in advance should I book my first birthday photoshoot?
What if my kids won't sit still or listen?
My baby might hate the cake! What then?
How should I dress my baby for their milestone session?
Prior to your session we will have a consult call where we will discuss wardrobe, color preferences, and plan out your entire session. I will help guide you to choose outfits that complement your style and photograph beautifully. I have lots of adorable baby outfits in my stash that photograph beautifully.
No problem! We capture a mix of smiles, curiosity, and baby-led moments. Some babies love smashing, some just explore—it’s all adorable.
Ready to get started?
contact me to be your harrisburg cake smash photographer
My studio is located off I-83 in York Haven, PA and I travel throughout Central PA for sessions. Fill out the form below and I will be back in touch within 24 hours. Can't wait to celebrate your baby's birthday!
let's create
memories
beautiful
yay!
You're one step closer to an incredible photography experience & absolutely stunning family memories!
NOW WHAT?!
You'll receive a response back within 24 hours. If you don't see something within that time frame, be sure to check your spam!
E-mails come from kate@katemccordphotography.com if you want to add that to your address book to avoid sending me to spam.
