What’s better than celebrating your baby turning ONE? Celebrating it with with a puppy + cake smash session!! It’s the most fun to enjoy the occasion with their best (furry) friend by their side!
When this sweet family reached out asking if they could bring their dog to their baby’s milestone session at my Occoquan studio, my answer was an immediate YES. If you’ve followed me for a while, you know I absolutely love when families bring their dogs along. We all know that your fur babies are a part of the family too!
In fact, this family also brought their doggy along for their newborn session too! I had to include a side by side at the end of this blog, so you can see how much both baby & fur baby have grown together!!
For this puppy + cake smash session, we kept things neutral and timeless.
I pulled outfits straight from my client closet for this family, to match the backdrops and sets we decided on for their session. A neutral linen dress for mom, and coordinating khakis and a crisp white shirt for their little guy. Their sweet pup’s reddish-brown coat popped perfectly against the soft backdrop too. And together they looked so effortlessly put together without being too “matchy-matchy.” I pride myself on styling my families and getting this look! So if you’re wanting photos that look like my portfolio, just know the client closet will be available to you too!
We kicked things off with some sweet family portraits and doggy snuggles before moving into the milestone setups. For the birthday boy, I provided a classic white collared romper and pulled out some of my favorite props. The classic oversized “ONE” letters, neutral toys, and white balloons to keep everything clean and cohesive. The family brought along a simple white birthday cake, and from there, it was time to party!
The baby dove right into his cake with curious little hands, as one year olds love to do!
And of course, his furry best friend wasn’t far behind. Honestly, the photos of them sharing cake are some of my favorites. Sticky fingers, frosting-covered paws, and a whole lot of laughter from mom and dad on the sidelines. These are the kind of real, joy-filled memories that make milestone sessions so special.
Cake smashes don’t have to be over-the-top to be meaningful. With a few classic details and the people (and pups!) you love most, you’ll walk away with a gallery that’s timeless, playful, and true to your family’s story.
So, if you’ve been wondering if you can book a puppy + cake smash session, let this be your sign. YES, please! My Occoquan studio is dog-friendly, kid-friendly, and always set up to capture your family’s biggest milestones in a way that feels natural, fun, and stress-free.
Ready to plan your little one’s milestone session? Let’s make it one to remember: dog kisses and all. Click here to get in touch!
