Las Vegas Milestone & Cake smash Photography
One Year In, and So Much Personality. Let’s Document It.
Twelve months ago, they were brand new. Now? There’s a belly laugh. Wobbly stands. Very strong opinions about snacks. One-year-olds are tiny people with big personalities, and photographing them is honestly one of my favorite things. I’m Danielle, a Las Vegas baby photographer offering milestone sessions for the big first birthday: cake smashes for the bold, sweet portraits for the gentle, and plenty of room for whatever your baby decides to do that day. And if those newborn photos never happened? That’s okay. Life with a baby is a lot. This is the perfect moment to jump in.
“Danielle was creative, helpful, and had amazing ideas! I am so happy we went with her as our photographer. She made me feel comfortable and I was genuinely smiling throughout the shoot. She is professional and so personable that you feel like you are working with a friend.”
- Samantha
How it works
Booking your Las Vegas milestone or cake smash photos should be the easy part, so I’ve made sure it is.
Step 1 — Schedule Your Quick Chat No lengthy contact forms or days of waiting on an email reply. Just grab a time that works for you and let’s talk. This free 20-minute call is where we get to know each other, I walk you through my process and pricing, and you can ask me anything. Easy, low pressure, no commitment.
Step 2 — Get Everything in Writing After our call I’ll send you a recap email with everything we covered, because some of us need to hear it and see it before it really clicks. No judgment, same here. You’ll have everything you need to make a confident decision.
Step 3 — Lock It In Ready to book? Inside that same email you’ll find my availability calendar, photo agreement, and a secure payment link, all in one place. Pick your date, sign, pay, and you’re officially on my calendar.
Step 4 — The Fun Part Starts Once you’re booked I’ll send over your personalized style guide and a questionnaire so I can get to know you before we even meet. By the time session day arrives, it’ll feel like we’re old friends.
What to Expect Investment-Wise
Great senior photos are an investment, and I want to make sure every dollar feels worth it.
Here’s how it breaks down: a $200 session fee locks in your date and covers everything I do behind the scenes to make your session amazing. After your session, you’ll choose from three collection options $450, $650, or $850, each including digital images and print credit for my online store. Most clients invest between $650 and $1,050 total.
Every collection includes print credit because I truly believe your photos deserve to live somewhere you can actually see them, not just buried in a folder on your phone.
Not sure which collection is right for you? We’ll go over all of it together on our quick chat so nothing feels like a surprise.
About
I’ve been a photographer for over 10 years, but honestly? My favorite part of the job has never changed: getting to know the people in front of my camera and capturing exactly who they are right now. And at one year old, “right now” changes by the week. That’s exactly what makes these sessions so special.
Milestone sessions are all about following your baby’s lead. Maybe they dive into the cake with both hands. Maybe they poke it once and burst into tears. Maybe they skip the cake entirely and just want to show off their new standing skills. All of it is perfect, because all of it is them. My job is to keep things relaxed, keep things moving at your baby’s pace, and catch the personality that’s been growing all year. You just show up and enjoy watching them shine. I’ll handle the rest.
“I cannot recommend Danielle Hiltner Photography enough! She is so easy to work with! Danielle is kind and puts everyone at ease around her so that she can really capture the personality of whoever she is photographing! Danielle has taken loads of photos for us over the years and will always be our go-to!”
- Holly
FAQs
When should I schedule my baby’s milestone session?
I recommend booking the session for two to three weeks before their first birthday. That way you’ll have photos back in time to use for birthday invitations, party decorations, or thank-you cards. That said, there’s no wrong timing. A few weeks after the birthday works just as beautifully, especially if things are busy. We’re celebrating the milestone, not the exact date.
Do you provide the cake for the cake smash?
The cake comes from you, and here’s why that’s a good thing: you know your baby. You pick the flavor, you know the allergies, and you can match the colors to the party theme if you’d like.
What should my baby wear?
For portraits, soft and simple wins: neutral or muted tones, minimal patterns, nothing that competes with that sweet face. For the cake smash portion, think about something you don’t mind getting messy. A simple outfit, a diaper cover, or a cute birthday romper all work great. And bring a backup outfit or two! Between the cake and the general reality of being one, a spare is never wasted.
What if my baby doesn’t like the cake?
It happens more than you’d think! My best tip: let your baby try cake (or at least frosting) once before the session so the big day isn’t their first encounter with this strange, squishy thing. A little familiarity goes a long way. And if cake just isn’t their thing? I’ve got tricks!