Cake Smash Photos & Other Messy Sessions

We believe...

First birthdays deserve to be celebrated in the most joyful, giggle-filled, frosting-covered way possible.

I'm a professional cake smash photographer, and I've designed a cake smash, paint smash, and any-kind-of-smash-experience that's playful, elevated, and completely unforgettable for both kids and parents.

We begin every session with beautiful, pre-smash family portraits. Clean outfits, sweet cuddles, and classic images you’ll proudly hang on your walls. Then… it’s time for the fun part!

There is exactly one day a year when a full-on cake fight is not only allowed, but enthusiastically encouraged, and that's your child’s birthday. As your trusted smash cake photographer, I fully support frosting-covered fingers, curious taste tests, and cakes that don’t survive the experience.

The messier it gets, the better the story!

During the cake smash photoshoot, your little one is free to explore, squish, smash, lick, and laugh. Wide eyes... frosting-covered grins... delighted squeals... these are the moments that turn into the most joyful cake smash photos imaginable.

Once your baby has made their mark on the cake, siblings and parents are welcome to jump in. Smear frosting on cheeks. Share messy hugs. Laugh through cake-covered chaos. Yes, you might leave with frosting in your hair and on your clothes... but you’ll also enjoy the most heart-melting cake smash pictures you’ve ever seen.

TINY HANDS. BIG CAKE.

Enjoy this video filled with sweet smiles, frosted fingers, and pure birthday joy from the cake smash portion of Noemi’s baby photography plan session. Her cake smash photoshoot happened at 14 months instead of 1 year, proving there’s no expiration on cake smash fun. Her family chose a beautiful outdoor location, saving the very best for last when mom, dad, and big brother jumped in for a full-on family frosting fest. This was our fourth time photographing this incredible family. Watching them grow (and get delightfully messy together) has been pure bliss. 🎂✨

Let's make a beautiful mess together. 🎂✨

CONTACT THE CAKE SMASH PHOTOGRAPHER

Paint, Powder & Other Messy Smash Sessions

Cake smash photos… been there, smashed that? Or no birthday coming up? Let’s shake things up with one of our other signature smash sessions instead. Because really… what child can resist making a glorious mess with paint, crayons, markers, and chalk? And if paint isn’t their thing, we can keep the creativity flowing with a spaghetti, watermelon, taco, or flour smash. The possibilities are playful, colorful, and endlessly fun. Let’s get creative together!

CREATIVE CHAOS, CAPTURED.

After Mr. Silver-Haired Cutie’s 18-month family photography and paint smash session (see the video), his mom couldn’t stop talking about how much fun he had. Just imagine it. No bribing. No convincing. Just pure, messy joy captured beautifully. 🎨✨

BOOK MY MESSY SESSION

We believe...

Family photos deserve more than a lonely existence on a hard drive.

Digital files are important (and we always include them with every order)!

But the real magic of photography comes alive when your cake smash pictures and family portraits are printed, displayed, and celebrated in your home.

Hanging your family portraits in Leesburg VA

Printing your family pictures in Clarksburg, MD

When your cake smash photos and family pictures live only in the cloud or on a hard drive, let’s be honest—you rarely see them. But when your walls and shelves are filled with tangible family portraits, you experience them every single day.

You pour your morning coffee and glance at the canvas wall art proudly hanging in the kitchen, remembering the day your 3-year-old discovered he loved apples.

You walk in after a long day at the office and flop onto the sofa, your eyes landing on the framed portrait from your daughter's senior year of high school, and the emotions of that moment come rushing back.

Or you pick up your folio box of matted cake smash photos from the coffee table, flip through the photographs, and marvel at how quickly time has flown.

Over and over again, you’re reminded of the laughter, love, and joy that fill your life.

Let us help you turn precious moments into art that decorates your home... and your heart.

Meet Irene

Photography didn’t just become my career; it became my calling. Somewhere along the way, I realized that creating photographs people truly love is my superpower. ...the kind you smile at every time you see them... the kind that feel like your family.

After years as a professional cake smash photographer & family photographer, I’ve learned something important. While you’re waiting for the perfect time, moments are quietly slipping by. Your children are growing and changing every single day, and this version of them (and of you) will never exist again. We can’t rewind time. We can only choose to celebrate now.

And that’s where I come in. With gentle guidance, flattering light, and a whole lot of heart, I promise to photograph your family in a way that feels natural, confident, and yes… absolutely stunning.

I believe every family deserves a portrait history. Every home deserves to be filled with images that tell a story of love. And every parent deserves to leave behind a legacy their children will treasure for generations.

Let’s create cake smash photos and family portraits you adore, feel proud to display on your walls, and cherish for the rest of your life.

TALK TO IRENE

HOW IT ALL WORKS

We're here to guide you from start to finish.

A personalized cake smash photoshoot and family portrait experience is what true luxury is all about!

Discovery Call & Booking

You'll begin with a telephone consultation with Irene to learn about your desired style and goals for your messy smash photos and family portrait session. By the end of the call, we'll know whether we're the right fit for each other and can proceed with booking your messy session!

Schedule your discovery call now.

Style & Concept Meeting

This is our time to really get to know each other, brainstorm together, and fully plan out your session. Irene will help you select the ideal location and wardrobe, and even take a look at the spaces in your home where you might like to hang one or more cake smash pictures and family portraits. This is how we're sure to come out of your session with some amazing pieces of artwork that'll look fabulous hanging on your walls. We're all about making this entire process completely stress-free!

Messy Smash & Family Portrait Session

We like to keep our smash and family photography sessions fun and relaxed. Whether outdoors or indoors at our photography studio, we'll guide you into poses and moments to help each of you look your very best in all your family photos.

Did you know we also travel for destination family portraits? Going on vacation to an amazing picturesque location? We'll go with you and capture the fun and fabulous memories for you to treasure forever.

Reveal & Ordering Appointment

This is the hardest part, but oh what excitement! You'll ooh and aah as your beautiful cake smash photos and family portraits are revealed, and Irene will be your interior designer, helping you pick the perfect frames and design the perfect groupings of portraits for your walls. We can't say it enough times - it's all about decorating your home with love!

Learn more about our complimentary interior design service, and browse options for heirloom home decor.

Time keeps moving, and these sweet moments don’t stay long.

SCHEDULE YOUR DISCOVERY CALL NOW!

WHAT OUR CLIENTS RAVE ABOUT

The sweetest praise is...

...When our families return time and time again, trusting us to capture their most important memories.

Meet a few of our beloved regulars below and follow along as we celebrate their milestones, messy moments, and joyful memories—one portrait at a time.

The Ruiz Family Through the Years

Smash Cake Photographer for Autumn family photos in Leesburg VA

Maternity photographer near me and family maternity photos Silver Spring MD

Family newborn pictures in Darnestown, MD

Family photos and graduation photographer Baltimore, MD

The McIntyre Family Through the Years

Q&A on Cake Smash Photos and Other Messy Smashes

Can we also do non-messy family portraits during a cake smash photoshoot or other messy session?: Typically, 75% of your photography session will focus on non-messy family portrait groupings and the last 25% on the messy fun, though this is flexible depending on what YOU want!
Will our cake smash photos be indoors or outdoors?: Your photography session can take place at your choice of location, either outdoors, in-home, or at our suburban Maryland photo studio.
Do I have to wait for my child's birthday for a cake smash photoshoot?: Absolutely not. While cake smash pictures are popular for birthdays, do you only eat cake one day a year? Of course not! We are happy to design a cake smash photoshoot for you at any time of the year.
Can siblings be part of the cake smash pictures too?: We love it when siblings (and adults too!) take part in cake smash photos. If it's a birthday photography session, we'll begin with just the birthday child, then add sibling(s) and parents (if desired). The more people the merrier, the messier the better!
What if my child doesn't like getting messy with food?: Not all children will enjoy getting messy with their cake. This is why we spend the first part of your session on non-cake smash photos, so regardless, your session will be a success! Alternatively, if you don't think your child will enjoy a cake smash photoshoot, then how about a paint/chalk smash, spaghetti smash, watermelon smash, taco smash, or flour smash instead? Have another messy idea? We're all ears!
Is there an age limit for cake smash pictures?: No, no, and no! While cake smash photos are especially popular for first birthdays, there's no age limit, as long as your child will enjoy it. We even saw recently a cake smash photoshoot with a woman turning 98 years old, and we thought it was absolutely awesome. If you'd like to embrace your inner child, we're 100% up for adult cake smash pictures too!
What kind of paint do you use for smash paint photography?: We use non-toxic Crayola washable fingerpaints. Alternatively, you are welcome to make and bring Greek yogurt mixed with food coloring instead.

Don't waste another moment, because moments that go by can never be recaptured.

Schedule your discovery call now!

*** After submitting the form below, use the online scheduler on the next page to pick a date/time for your discovery call! ***

We're so excited to hear from you!

Next, if you haven't already done so, click here to use our online scheduler to schedule a time for a phone consultation.

If you need immediate assistance, just give us a call at 301-892-3789 anytime. Can't wait to chat with you!

Talk to you soon!

Irene Abdou Photography, LLC

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Thank you for your interest in our photography services and next steps...

We're so excited to hear from you!

Next, if you haven't already done so, click here to use our online scheduler to schedule a time for a phone consultation.

If you need immediate assistance, just give us a call at 301-892-3789 anytime. Can't wait to chat with you!

Talk to you soon!

Irene Abdou Photography, LLC

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