Cake Smash photography: A fun way to end your baby’s first birthday photoshoot experience

Many parents choose to book a first birthday photoshoot experience with me because they recognise that their baby turning one is a big reason to celebrate! A whole twelve months has passed and what a year it’s been!

In that time, your child has transformed from a tiny curled up newborn to a larger-than-life little person with a unique personality – it’s truly incredible! Because of this rapid growth, capturing beautiful photographs around the time of your baby’s first birthday is very popular.

When you book a family or baby photoshoot, you and your little one get to enjoy a fun relaxed photoshoot in my studio. You also come away with precious portraits for you to enjoy now and in the future.

Your session can even include cake smash photography if you wish. It’s a brilliant (and messy!) way to mark the occasion! Keep reading to find out more as, in this blog, I’m revealing everything you need to know about the cake smash element of my first birthday photoshoots.

 The cake smash name refers to the fact that they can literally ‘smash’ the cake if they want to – whether with their hands or, if they prefer not to get their hands messy, a wooden spoon.

This makes for some seriously fun photos and usually leads to delighted giggles and squeals from the child!

Who are cake smash sessions for?

A cake smash photoshoot is ideal for a soon-to-be one-year-old baby, or a child who has recently turned one.

They aren’t only a first birthday photoshoot though. I can include a cake smash into your baby’s portrait session even if they are a little older than one year – please just ask.

Why book a cake smash photoshoot?

I don’t offer a cake smash photoshoot as a stand-alone shoot, but I’m always happy to include it in my studio portrait sessions if it’s something you like the idea of. 

There’s lots to love about cake smash photography!

• Most babies love the chance to smash up a cake, and I get to capture their cheeky smiles in as they dig in!
• Your child’s cake smash pictures are additional images which add variety to your portrait gallery. All your baby portraits would be great in a first birthday photo album or on the walls of your baby’s nursery at home and elsewhere around your house.
• Plus, they are ideal for printing and sharing – perhaps on birthday invitations or first birthday photo thank you cards as well. 

The styling of your baby’s photoshoot

The styling of your baby’s first birthday photoshoot is completely up to you. Everything about your studio portrait session is bespoke, and that applies to the cake smash at the end too.

It’s probably worth me mentioning that my signature style is simple, tasteful and unfussy. When I photograph your child, my objective is to create timeless baby photographs as well as some of the whole family, so I don’t use lots of accessories, fussy backdrops or create elaborate cakes.

I’ll capture portraits of your baby, and you together, against a couple of different backgrounds and in different outfits. I keep things simple because I believe that the focus of the photos should always be your child and on you as a family.   

What makes a good cake smash outfit?

Often in baby and cake smash photoshoots the baby doesn’t wear a lot, although if you have an adorable outfit that you’d love your child to wear, then please do bring this along with you.

Before the shoot itself, we will chat through get together to discuss all aspects of the shoot including cake smash outfit ideas. I can tell you what outfits I already have (which you are welcome to use). You can then decide whether to buy an additional outfit or not.

My outfits are all washable and have been chosen because they look great in photos. Parents of boys tend to favour my textured dungarees and girls often wear cute frilly pants over their nappy.

What should you bring to a cake smash photoshoot?

You won’t need to bring much with you to your baby’s first birthday photoshoot. The main thing really, aside from your baby essentials (nappies etc.), is spare clothes.

Please bear in mind that if you decide on including cake smash photography into your baby’s portrait session, they do get messy! Cake is likely to go everywhere – it can end up in your child’s mouth, hair, between fingers and toes…everywhere! Some children even face-plant the cake, so it can get up noses as well. But, if you can't put your head in a cake on your first birthday though, when can you?!

For this reason, bring some spare clothes for your baby and perhaps some spare trousers and a top for yourself as well. I encourage parents to be hands-on in this type of session, and so you may well get cake on you at the end!

In terms of the mess, don’t worry though – we clear up our little one up before you leave, and the cleaning of the studio is all part of the service.

I actually have an adorable mini tin bath so your child can have a warm bath to get cleaned up after the cake smashing fun. This splash time becomes an extension of the photoshoot as well, so is an opportunity for an even greater variety of baby photos. 

Is the cake smash cake included?

Yes, if you opt to include cake smash photography into your baby’s studio session, the cake we’ll use in the session is included in the price. This saves you the hassle of having to make or buy one yourself.  Of course, should your child have any allergy requirements then please let me know well in advance.

After the session, there is usually much of the cake left and you’re welcome to take this home with you. 

What if my child doesn’t ‘smash’ the cake?

Some babies aren’t as keen as others on getting messy, which is fine! Even if your child is reluctant to smash their first birthday cake, we can still get some great portraits.

The bonus of having a more reluctant cake smasher is that there’ll be more cake left for you to take home and enjoy later! 

How can you book your baby's first birthday photoshoot with me?

There are a couple of options available to you if you’re interested in booking a photoshoot for an older baby or for their first birthday photoshoot specifically.

My studio portrait sessions for babies are done here in my studio in Boston Spa near Leeds and are just £50. Afterwards we will look through the photographs together and you can decide whether you would like to choose some stunning products including bespoke framed prints and wall art, or if you are interested in digital files, they are £325 for the full collection of images. 

Another popular alternative is to invest in my First Year Collection, which is a chance to have three baby photoshoots with me in your baby’s first year. Families who book this package tend to opt for:

·        a newborn photoshoot (in the first weeks after birth),

·        followed by a sitter session (done when the baby is around 6-8 months old),

·        and then a first birthday photoshoot (including cake smash photography if you wish).

All sessions can be booked by getting in touch with me or by calling me on 07762 111 818 - ask any questions you like, I am here to help.

If you’re based in or around Leeds, York or Harrogate and a baby portrait session is something you’re keen to book – including cake smash photography - then I look forward to hearing from you.



Andrea