Your baby’s first birthday is such a huge milestone and what better way to celebrate it than with a cake smash session? These sessions are all about fun, personality and capturing your little one’s curiosity as they explore new textures (and usually sugar!) for the first time.
Simple Setups, Big Fun
I like to keep things clean and timeless. Most cake smashes take place in my home studio in Hamworthy, Dorset, where I create simple setups with soft colours and minimal props. The focus is always on your baby, their laughter, their expressions, their personality. While I don’t do big themed setups, I’m always happy to include little touches that make your session personal, whether that’s a favourite toy, a subtle colour theme or something unique you’d like to bring along.
The Cake
Every cake smash includes a homemade cake baked by me with love and care. I cater for all allergies and intolerances, so please make sure to let me know when booking if your little one has any special dietary needs. You can request colour themes or simple details like sprinkles, pastel rainbows or even a chocolate cake instead of vanilla. My only rule? Keep it simple so the focus stays on your little one’s reactions and those gorgeous messy smiles.
What to Wear
You’re more than welcome to bring your own outfits but I also have a large wardrobe at the studio full of beautiful pieces you can use. You’ll probably recognise some from my website or socials! We usually start with one outfit for portraits (before the cake), then change into a different outfit for the cake smash itself. Don’t worry about the mess, everything in the studio wardrobe is washable and well loved. If you’d like to bring something specific, just ask me beforehand as I’m happy to check what I have so you don’t buy something you’ll only use once.
The Session Flow
We usually begin with a few simple portraits - balloons, toys, cuddles and smiles - before we introduce the cake. Every baby reacts differently and that’s what makes each session special. Some dive straight in, others are more curious at first and that’s perfectly okay. I go at your little one’s pace and capture their genuine reactions along the way.
After the Cake - The Splash
Once we’re done with the cake, it’s bath time! I have two adorable mini tubs available and you can choose your favourite for the splash portion. It’s a fun, gentle way to wrap up the session and helps your little one head home clean and happy. Some families prefer to skip the bath and that’s totally fine - just note that the session price stays the same either way. The only price difference comes if you decide not to include a cake at all, in which case I’d recommend booking a mini birthday session instead.
Booking Your Session
If you’d like your photos ready in time for your baby’s first birthday, please book a few weeks in advance. Editing takes time, I put a lot of care into every image to make sure they’re perfect for you. We’ll discuss colours, any themes and the cake details after you’ve booked, so everything’s ready on the day.
Final thoughts
These sessions are some of my favourites because they’re filled with laughter, personality and joy. No two are ever the same and that’s what makes them so special. Whether your little one loves the cake, smashes it slowly or just gives it a curious poke, every moment is worth capturing. I can’t wait to create these memories for you and celebrate this milestone together.
