Looking to capture that messy, joyful first birthday milestone? Finding the Best Cake Smash Photography in Calgary means looking for a studio that perfectly balances beautiful portraits with absolute chaos. As parents of sub-one-year-olds know, the first birthday is a huge deal. Maybe you want a custom studio setup with matching balloons, or perhaps you are a gift buyer trying to find a memorable experience for a friend’s baby. We explored the top options in the city to help you find the right photographer. Here are five fantastic choices that make those adorable frosting-covered smiles last a lifetime.
How Much Does Cake Smash Photography Cost in Calgary?
In Calgary, cake smash photography sessions range from $150 for basic mini shoots up to $1,500 or more for luxury custom packages.
| Package Type | Typical Cost Range |
| Budget / Mini Sessions | $150 – $250 |
| Standard All-Inclusive Packages | $350 – $550 |
| Luxury / Premium Studios | $700 – $1,500+ |
Table of Contents
1. Fernanda Bautzer Photography
Website: https://www.fernandabautzer.com/
Address: 231 Yorkville Rd SW, Calgary, AB T2X 4X3, Canada
Contact: WhatsApp | [email protected] | +14312940182
Hours: Monday-Sunday, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Booking a milestone session can feel overwhelming, but Fernanda Bautzer’s extensive background of photographing over 3,000 babies since 2010 immediately puts you at ease. When a friend recently booked their daughter’s first birthday here, I sat in on the two-hour shoot and was amazed by the seamless three-stage process. The session kicked off with clean family portraits to help the baby warm up, followed by a highly customized smash setup featuring perfectly color-coordinated balloon garlands.
After the frosting was everywhere, Fernanda wrapped things up with an adorable warm-water bubble bath splash. I love that the $468 package includes the set and 20 high-resolution images in both color and black-and-white. You get visually distinct sets of photos in one go, making it a fantastic all-in-one choice. Just be aware that final edits can take up to 30 business days after you pick your favorites.
Magical First Cake Smash Experience
I just want to say a huge THANK YOU to Fernanda for capturing my daughter’s very first cake smash! From the moment we walked in, she made my little girl feel so comfortable and loved. The setup was adorable, the photos are pure magic, and she caught every messy, giggly, cake-covered moment perfectly. I’ll cherish these memories forever. If you’re looking for someone who is patient, professional, and so amazing with babies — this is her! We will 100% be back for more milestones.
- Gagandeep Singh | Google Review
Patient and Talented with Kids
An amazing photographer.. and the BEST in town. Fer knows how to capture the perfect moments, whether a candid picture or a posed one. Her patience with kids is beyond words. This was my 2nd time with her. I got newborn session with her and now cake smash for the same child. Each and every click is beautiful. No wonder I end up buying extra pictures. Highly recommended. Thank you Fer for these photos.
- Prabhjot Kaur | Google Review
2. Danielle Durand Photography
Website: https://www.danielledurandphotography.com/
Address: 123 Tuscany Summit Heath NW, Calgary, AB T3L 0B9
Contact: [email protected] | Phone: (403) 383-5450
Hours: Monday-Sunday, 9:30 AM – 3:45 PM
Soft natural light and a relaxed environment make a massive difference when photographing unpredictable infants. Danielle Durand, an established Calgary family photographer who has worked with over 500 families since 2014, specializes in exactly this kind of calming and baby-led approach. She runs a natural-light studio in the Northwest (NW) that avoids rigid posing, letting kids explore the icing at their own pace.
If your baby needs extra time to get comfortable, Danielle just keeps snapping away at their natural reactions. Every booking includes access to a massive client closet packed with more than 50 neutral outfits, from linen rompers to delicate knits. You also get time for clean portraits beforehand.
Just keep in mind that her aesthetic leans heavily toward subtle and neutral tones. If you want a loud and highly elaborate theme, her minimalist styling might not be the right fit.
Stress-Free Cake Smash Session
Had our smash cake photoshoot with Danielle. She’s amazing with my baby girl, know how to comfort her in a new place. Everything is so well prepared and we could just simply walk-in, sit down n enjoy the photoshoot. Cake looks awesome. Will come back for another one for sure.
- Kin YUM | Google Review
Fun and Welcoming Family Experience
Danielle is amazing! From the moment we stepped into her studio she was so welcoming. She made sure my kids were comfortable before we started shooting. My daughter’s cake smash session went amazing. She helped make her smile and made the sesson very fun. We also did sibling photos and my oldest had a lot of fun! My husband and I were very happy with our experience and the photos turned out beautiful. I recommend Danielle for all your photography needs! =)
- Lisa Duong | Google Review
3. Tkshotz Photography
Website: https://www.tkshotz.com/
Address: 302 Valley Brook Cir NW, Calgary, AB T3B 5S4
Contact: [email protected]
Hours: Monday-Sunday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sometimes you just want a straightforward package where all the messy details are handled for you. Tkshotz brings a multi-award-winning reputation to their sessions, and they actually include a naked buttercream cake in their $329 base price. I recently used them for some updated headshots, and while chatting with the team, I saw one of their simple and reclaimed-wood smash setups.
If you are also hunting for Maternity Photographers in Calgary, finding a studio that handles the cake sourcing is a lifesaver. You get a one-hour slot featuring a mini sit-up portrait round before the main event, yielding 20 to 30 edited images. They even let you request specific props in advance.
However, adding family or sibling photos will cost you an extra $49. Also, their backdrop styles are largely limited to simple white or brown wood setups.
Professional and Amazing with Little Ones
Todd is an incredibly photographer. He has done our first sons cake smash and our second sons newborn photos and 1 year cake smash photos. He’s incredibly professional, made my little ones comfortable throughout, presented the most beautiful photos. I sincerely can’t say enough good things. Will absolutely recommend him and will use him for any future baby photo shoots!
- Chantel Van Steinburg | Google Review
Patient and Passionate with Children
We have used Todd for our Christmas photos with Santa for almost 6 years as well as for our Daughter’s first year cake smash. Todd has always been a pleasure to work with and the way he is with children is incredible. His patience and passion for what he does is why we will be lifetime supporters of Tkshotz Photography.
- Lindsay Thorburn | Google Review
4. Alpina Photography Inc.
Website: https://www.alpinaphotography.com/
Address: Montgomery Rd NW, Calgary, AB T3B 0S3
Contact: (403) 926-4832 | [email protected]
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM | Saturday-Sunday, 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Capturing genuine and whimsical emotion requires a great eye, and Pinar Atil, the owner, builds her entire approach around this philosophy. Alpina Photography offers incredible flexibility because they let you choose between an indoor styled setup or an outdoor session at a local park during the warmer months. Before the big day, Pinar does a phone consultation to nail down your theme and props, ensuring the icing perfectly matches the décor.
She also provides an adorable wardrobe filled with tutus and bow ties, while still capturing those precious clean family poses before the baby gets messy. If you are planning a large first birthday party and are looking into Photo Booth Rentals in Calgary, an outdoor smash session is a great kickoff to the festivities. Just note that Alpina requires the full session fee upfront at booking, and you have to bring your own cake.
Wonderful First Birthday Cake Smash
We had such a wonderful experience with Alpina Photography! Pinar is lovely and so talented! She did a 1 Year Cake Smash photoshoot for us and was so great with my daughter. The photos turned out incredible! I highly recommend her to anyone looking for any type of shoot!
- Taylor McKee | Google Review
Thoughtful Setup and Joyful Experience
We had a baby cake smash photosession, and we got a magical experience with Pinar at Alpina Photography Inc. Pinar took care of all the details and prepared decorations for the shots. We spent 1h of pure joy together with our son on his first anniversary. The photos are amazing, so we highly recommend this studio!
- Hanna Yuryk | Google Review
5. Suzie B Newborn Photography
Website: https://www.suziebnewbornphotography.ca/
Address: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Contact: [email protected]
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Saturday-Sunday, 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Families wanting to print their own physical copies later will appreciate the flexibility offered here. Suzie combines posed and candid photography to document family connections rather than relying on one stiff portrait style. Every single collection she offers includes a print release, meaning you can print your favorite digital files as many times as you want without ordering directly through the studio.
During the one-hour session, babies start with clean milestone portraits using her provided studio clothing and props. The Petit and Standard packages even allow a few family photographs to be mixed in naturally. Because she accepts a limited number of clients each month, you must book well in advance or risk missing out.
Also, if you want your photos delivered on a physical Universal Serial Bus (USB) drive with a custom case, you have to upgrade to her higher-tier collections.
Beautiful and Unhurried Cake Smash Session
We had our daughters 1st year cake smash photoshoot done about 3 years ago and we are so glad we went with Windrush! The photos came out beautifully, there wasn’t any rush, Suzie was amazing at figuring out what went well with the cake we had brought! I would recommend Windrush over and over again!
- Julian Cheney | Google Review
