The sweetest first birthday sessions create a little world of their own, and this recent Willy Wonka inspired “Smash and Splash” was unforgettable! This little one’s celebration here at The Pod Photography felt like opening the doors to a world of pure imagination. Our Hollywood set design team dreamed up a full Willy Wonka inspired experience that blended imaginative set design with joyful family moments. The result was a session rich with color and sweetness, shaped by the subtle magic that emerges when preparation and play all meet in the same place.
Designing a Modern Chocolate Factory Set
Our Cake Smash sets are always custom designed, but this one by The Pod Photography’s Hollywood team is one of our favorites. We pulled inspiration from the original Gene Wilder Willy Wonka film and gave it a vibrant, modern twist. The Hollywood team crafted a world that felt bright and full of life, whimsical yet refined in all the right ways. The green hills, candy gardens, and chocolate river were handcrafted to be completely immersive once photographed.
The question we hear most often about our set design is how we bring these worlds to life, and the truth is that the secret lies in the details. The oversized candy pieces were arranged one by one to guide the eye the lollipop fields were designed to feel endless, and the colors were chosen to flatter the birthday boy while still looking rich on camera. One of the most fun additions was the set of REAL five-pound gummy bears that we incorporated as part of the environment. They brought a sculptural element to the scene and helped anchor the world visually, almost as if little man had wandered into his own candy kingdom.
When the birthday boy stepped in wearing his custom Wonka inspired outfit, everything came together. He lit up the set with his smile while he explored the space with genuine curiosity. That is what gives us expressions that feel authentic and full of wonder, and that is always the goal: a world so well-crafted that the child feels naturally drawn into play.
Although this was a first birthday session, the world we created was too fun to resist. Big sister took one look at Wonkaland and knew she needed a turn, and we were more than happy to make that happen.
A Cake Worthy of a Candy Factory
Every First Birthday Cake Smash session needs a cake that feels like part of the story, and for that we partnered with Jamaica Crist of LA’s Top Tier Treats. Instead of creating something obvious or overly literal, she designed a cake that felt like it belonged in our modern candy factory. The colors were playful without being overwhelming, the textures photographed beautifully, and the whole piece tied seamlessly into the world around it.
What we love most about Jamaica’s work is her instinct for balance. Her cakes look artistic, but they are also made for little hands to explore. The frosting is soft, the ingredients are gentle, and the designs hold up through every enthusiastic grab. This cake did exactly what it needed to do: it invited the birthday boy to dig in while still looking polished from the first photo to the very last crumb.
A Splash Scene Straight From Wonka’s World
After the Smash comes the Splash! For this second part of the session, The Pod Photography’s Hollywood team imagined what Willy Wonka’s bathroom might look like. The concept grew into a playful wallpaper pattern inspired by Snozzberries from the film, paired with a golden tub surrounded by fruit and color.
Instead of thinking of it as a bath, we treat these Splash moments as a scene – a small world unto itself. What we created here was a little pocket of imagination where the child can move and splash about with genuine joy. And the birthday boy absolutely loved it. His laughter filled the studio as he splashed and held pieces of fleshly sliced organic fruit, delighting in every moment.
These sets look whimsical, but behind the scenes they require careful planning. Every fruit piece, every color, every texture is placed to complement the child, create depth, and photograph beautifully. It is this level of detail that defines The Pod Photography and our talented Hollywood team. We never settle for simple.
Timeless Family Portraits to Complete the Day
And to cap off the session, after diving into all the Wonka fun, we ended with a family session on a clean blue backdrop. This little one absolutely adores his big sister, and their connection was easy to capture. The simplicity of the backdrop allowed their expressions to shine, and it gave the family a set of portraits that will look beautiful for decades.
Whenever we have family sessions like this, The Pod Photography team moves at the child’s pace. Our photographers guide the experience so that everyone feels relaxed, supported, and seen. When you look at their family photos, the comfort is unmistakable. The smiles are genuine. The love is effortless. That is what happens when a team understands how to bring out the best in every age and every personality.
Create Your Own Magical Experience
If your child has a favorite movie theme, or if you simply want a first birthday session that feels imaginative and elevated, our team is ready to design something extraordinary for you. Whether you are in Hollywood or Greater Los Angeles, call The Pod Photography at 310-391-4500 or book your session online today and begin planning an unforgettable first birthday and family session of your own.