Families from Rochester Hills, Troy, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, and throughout Metro Detroit work with Kate at El & Em Photography for a calm, beautifully guided family photography experience.
Milestone and cake smash sessions celebrate your baby’s first year and the personality that begins to shine during these early stages. At El & Em Photography, sessions are designed to feel relaxed and natural while we capture this special milestone for your family.
Milestone and cake smash sessions include:
studio session in Rochester Hills
baby portraits and milestone moments
cake smash portraits (for first birthday sessions)
parent and baby portraits
access to the online viewing gallery
professionally edited digital images available for purchase
Sessions are baby-led and allow time for breaks so your child can feel comfortable and relaxed throughout the experience.
Milestone sessions capture the exciting stages of your baby’s first year as they begin developing new expressions, movement, and personality.
These sessions are often photographed at key stages such as:
3–4 months (first smiles and tummy time)
6–8 months (sitting and personality)
9–10 months (curiosity and interaction)
Milestone sessions are simple, baby-focused sessions designed to highlight your child’s expressions and natural development.
Cake smash sessions celebrate your baby’s first birthday with playful and joyful photographs.
Sessions typically begin with simple portraits before introducing the birthday cake. Babies explore the cake naturally while we capture genuine reactions and expressions.
The focus is on keeping the experience relaxed and baby-led so we can capture authentic moments and your child’s unique personality.
A $150 Session Fee reserves your milestone session and includes the planning and creative experience of your portrait session.
Your session fee includes:
Pre-session consultation and planning
Styling guidance for baby and parents
Access to my studio client wardrobe
A fully customized 1 hour milestone photography session
Private in-home or online image reveal & ordering appointment
Collections begin at $400, with most families choosing to invest $600–$900 depending on the images and artwork they select. There are no preset packages — you simply select the images and artwork that feel most meaningful for your family.
A $100 non-refundable retainer is required to reserve your cake smash session date. The remaining balance is due on the day of your session.
1 hour studio session — baby only
My signature white cake smash setup
Access to my client wardrobe
A handcrafted cake from RH Homebaked Goods (Rochester)
10 professionally edited images of your choice, selected from your gallery
In-person or online reveal and order appointment
Includes everything from the Signature Cake Smash, plus your choice of a themed or styled cake smash setup, and a custom designed cake from RH Homebaked Goods (Rochester).
I take care of the styling, flow, and creative direction — so you can simply enjoy this stage without overthinking the details.
Related Services
Milestone sessions can be scheduled throughout your baby’s first year as they reach new developmental stages.
Cake smash sessions are typically photographed 3–6 weeks before your baby’s first birthday so images are ready to celebrate the milestone.
Early booking is recommended.
Your baby’s first year passes quickly, and milestone and cake smash sessions allow you to preserve these moments as your child grows.
From first smiles to first birthday celebrations, I would love to help document this special season for your family.
