Cake smash sessions with Karissa Leigh Designs in Tampa are $225 or $395. The Milestone Mini is $225 for 30 minutes and 15 edited images, and you bring the cake. The full Cake Smash Session is $395 for one hour and 30 hand edited images, with a custom cake, a balloon arch, and coordinated props all included.
Tampa Cake Smash Sessions at a Glance
Both sessions can be photographed in the studio or outdoors, and both come with an online gallery and print release. Here is how they compare.
| Session | Price | Time | Edited Images | What Is Included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milestone Mini | $225 | 30 minutes | 15 | Studio or outdoor, online gallery with print release. Cake not included, so you bring your own |
| Cake Smash Session | $395, was $450 | 1 hour | 30 hand edited | A custom cake, balloon arch, and coordinated props, studio or outdoor, option to purchase more images or the complete curated gallery |
Prices shown before sales tax. You can see every Tampa session on the investment page.
What Changes the Price
A few things separate the two sessions.
The Cake
This is the biggest difference. With the Milestone Mini you bring your own cake, and a small, simple one works best for little hands. The full session includes a custom cake, so the only thing you need to bring is your baby and a change of clothes.
Session Length
One year olds keep their own schedule. Thirty minutes is enough for a few portraits and a quick smash. An hour leaves room for a slow start, a snack, an outfit change, and the few minutes many babies need before they decide the frosting is theirs.
Styling and Setup
The full session includes a balloon arch and coordinated props, set up and waiting when you arrive. Choose a theme or keep it neutral. Tampa Cake Smash Photography: What to Expect walks through how the session unfolds.
Number of Edited Images
The Milestone Mini includes 15 edited images, and the full session includes 30 hand edited images. After the full session you can purchase more images, or the complete curated gallery, once you have seen everything.
Prints and Albums
A first birthday photo tends to end up on a wall. If you are picturing a framed print in the nursery or a first year album, tell Karissa before your session so she can plan framing around the prints you actually want.
When to Book
Plan the session within a week or two of the first birthday, on either side. That keeps the photos true to the age on the cake topper, and it leaves the party itself free for family. Booking a few weeks ahead gives you time to choose a theme and settle on a date that fits nap time.
If your baby is not quite one, a sitter session captures the months when they first sit up on their own, usually between 6 and 15 months. The Sitter Mini is $225 for 30 minutes and 15 edited images, and the Sitter Full Hour is $390 for one hour and 30 hand edited images.
For the whole first year, the Legacy First Year collection is $1,500. It includes a newborn session of up to four hours, a 3 month session, a 6 month session, and a one hour cake smash, with all edited images from every session. The Bump to Baby Collection is $1,400 and begins even earlier, with maternity portraits.
Questions Parents Ask About Cost
Do cake smash prices include sales tax?
No. Cake smash sessions are priced before Florida sales tax.
Is the cake included?
With the full Cake Smash Session, yes. A custom cake is included, along with the balloon arch and props. With the Milestone Mini, the cake is not included, so you bring your own.
Can I buy more images after the session?
Yes. After the full Cake Smash Session you can purchase additional images, or the complete curated gallery, once you see everything Karissa has edited.
When should we schedule the session?
Within a week or two of the first birthday, on either side, so the photos match the age on the cake topper.
How do I choose the right session?
Start with two questions. Which photo would you be heartbroken not to have? And where will these photos live: a framed print in the nursery, a first year album, or the thank you cards after the party? Your answers point to how much time and how many images you need.
If you are comparing photographers, Karissa is happy to talk through which session fits your little one before you decide. When is the big first birthday?
