Welcome
Celebrate your baby’s first birthday with a one-of-a-kind cake smash photography experience. At Cake Smash Chicago, we specialize in custom-designed photo sessions that capture your child’s personality and this unforgettable milestone. Located in Glenview, IL, we serve families throughout the Chicagoland and suburbs who are looking for high-end, stress-free photography that results in stunning memories.
Why Cake Smash Chicago?
Planning your baby’s first birthday session shouldn’t feel overwhelming — it should feel exciting. That’s exactly what we create at Cake Smash Chicago: a premium, all-inclusive experience that blends creativity, comfort, and joy from start to finish.
As a trusted Glenview baby photographer, I’ve spent years perfecting a stress-free process for busy parents who want beautiful, meaningful photos without having to lift a finger. From the moment you inquire, everything is thoughtfully handled: the theme, the backdrop, the props, the outfit — and yes, the cake. You just show up, and we take care of the rest.
What makes Cake Smash Chicago different is the attention to detail and the artistry behind every set. Whether you envision a soft, dreamy color palette or a bold and playful concept, each custom birthday photo set is designed around your child’s personality and your preferences. No two sessions are ever the same.
Families come to us because they want more than just a quick photo session — they want a moment that feels unforgettable. That’s why our sessions are carefully paced and baby-led. We take time to help your little one feel comfortable and happy in the studio so we can capture those natural giggles, curious expressions, and joyful cake-smashing moments that make your gallery shine.
If you’re looking for a luxury cake smash experience in Glenview or Chicagoland suburbs, we’d be honored to help you celebrate your little one’s first big milestone. With a signature style that blends timeless beauty and creative flair, Cake Smash Chicago offers more than pictures — we offer memories that feel like magic.
Packages
At Cake Smash Chicago, we know every family — and every baby — is unique. That’s why we offer three thoughtfully designed cake smash photography packages that allow you to choose the perfect experience for your little one’s first big milestone.
Whether you want to keep it simple or go all-out, each session includes custom design, guided posing, access to studio props, and a gallery of professionally edited images that you’ll treasure forever.
Birthday Bash
the most popular
Surprise Party
full of personality
Gathering
focused
What to Expect on Session Day
We know how much planning goes into your baby’s first year — so when you walk into our studio, we want you to feel like you can finally relax. Every baby photo session at Cake Smash Chicago is designed to be stress-free, joyful, and all about your little one.
When you arrive at our Glenview studio, your custom set will already be styled and ready. We’ll start with a few simple portraits while your baby is still clean and curious — perfect for capturing those classic expressions and sweet details before the cake makes its grand entrance.
Then comes the fun part: the smash! Whether your baby dives right in or takes a more cautious approach, we follow their lead. As an experienced first birthday cake smash photographer, I know how to gently guide the moment while capturing real smiles, tiny hands, and all those sticky-fingered cake grabs. And yes — we handle the cleanup, too.
If your session includes a family photo or bathtub add-on, we’ll ease into that at the end, once the cake fun is over and your baby’s had a little break.
You don’t need to bring much — just your baby, their outfit (if not included in your package), and any favorite comfort items. Everything else, from the cake to the props to the pacing, is taken care of.
This isn’t just a photo shoot. It’s a celebration — and we’re here to make sure it feels like one from the moment you walk in.
TESTIMONIALS
Dani Urbano
cake smash chicago customer
So grateful to have had the pleasure to work with Kate. I had the best experience for my son’s first birthday photoshoot/cake smash.
I originally found Kate on social media (instagram) and followed her for many years. I have always been obsessed with her work, but the actual experience was so special! Her website is easy to navigate from booking, looking at her work and packages to downloading the final photos at the end.
If you’re looking for someone who can make your vision come to life while adding their own artistic touch, look no further. Kate has an amazing eye for detail and creative mind. She takes the time to listen to your idea and incorporates the idea seamlessly demonstrating her genuine care for your vision. For example, my personal theme was pizza and if you look at my photos, she went above and beyond in the detail. Her creativity and customer service is unmatched. From the moment of booking to the session in person. Kate is so kind, patient and caring. She answered all of my questions, she knew exactly how to make my son feel comfortable and relaxed, and at her suite she literally has everything you need! By everything, I mean baby wipes, water, snacks and even toys to help the kids unwind when they are feeling overwhelmed. Beyond her talent, she truly is a gentle and supportive spirit and it truly shines through her work.
Location: easy to access, plenty of parking. My Apple Maps brought me to the building next door (same lot), but if you see the exterior blue sign, “Cake Smash Chicago” is on it.
I can’t recommend enough to contact Kate for your child’s milestone photoshoots, no matter what milestone it is.
** I also want to just add the smash-cake was so delicious! I am not sure if it is typical for the customers to bring it home, but I brought mine home and it was so good!
Testemonials
Jolell
cake smash chicago customer
The Best Photographer You Could Ask For!
I cannot say enough amazing things about our experience with Kate! From start to finish, she was everything we could have hoped for and more. She was punctual, professional, and incredibly talented. But beyond that, she truly cared about bringing our vision to life.
Our theme was "Halfway through the Palace" for our baby’s 6 month milestone, and she went above and beyond to make it perfect. She provided the background, the outfit, the cake and the most stress-free experience we could have imagined. She was patient, never made us feel rushed during outfit changes, and created a warm, welcoming atmosphere that made the entire shoot enjoyable.
And let’s talk about the final photos, absolute perfection! She delivered them well ahead of schedule, and they completely exceeded our expectations. Every single detail was captured beautifully, and we will cherish these photos forever.
If you're looking for a photographer who is talented, professional, and truly dedicated to making your vision a reality, look no further! You will not be disappointed. Thank you Kate for such an incredible experience!