Cake Smash & Splash Guide

 

A fun way to celebrate your baby’s first birthday!

You’ve survived the sleepless nights, countless nappies and a whole year of adjusting to life as a mummy or daddy—so this milestone deserves to be celebrated!

All you need to do is arrive with your beautiful baby and enjoy the experience. I’ll create a gorgeous set-up for your little one, provide a cute cake-smash outfit and have a delicious cake ready to be thoroughly enjoyed—and hopefully completely demolished!

After all the smashing comes the splashing, with a bubbly bath in my miniature roll-top tub. This not only creates adorable photographs but also means your baby won’t be sticky for the journey home.

Best of all, once the fun is over, I clean up the mess!

 

What is a cake smash?

A cake smash is a little like baby sensory—but instead of playing with paints or play dough, your baby is presented with a delicious and delightfully messy birthday cake!

Every baby reacts differently. Some dive straight in with both hands, while others take their time and delicately nibble their way through it. However your baby approaches it, their personality will shine through and we’ll capture lots of lovely expressions along the way.

The most important thing is that you and your baby have a wonderful time celebrating this very special milestone. We’ll sing, play, laugh and make a glorious mess while I capture all those smiles, giggles and little details for you to treasure forever.

 

What should I expect during the session?

My sessions are relaxed and baby-led—more like a fun playdate than a formal photoshoot.

When you arrive, we’ll have a little chat and give your baby time to settle into the studio. There’s never any rush, and we’ll allow plenty of time to keep everyone feeling happy and comfortable.

If siblings are joining us, please don’t worry about high spirits or whether they’ll cooperate! Follow my lead and we’ll keep everything lighthearted and fun.

Your session will be divided into three parts:

1. Portraits and family photographs

We’ll begin with some timeless portraits of your baby wearing a favourite outfit you’ve brought from home.

Your baby can then enjoy exploring the beautiful wooden toys in my studio while I capture their natural smiles, expressions and growing personality.

Parents and siblings are very welcome to join in during this part of the session, so please think carefully about what everyone will wear.

2. The cake smash

Next, it’s time for the cake!

This is usually the messiest—and often the funniest—part of the session. Some babies enthusiastically get stuck in, while others need a little encouragement and prefer to investigate the cake slowly. Both reactions are completely normal and make for beautiful photographs.

Any cake remaining at the end of the session will be boxed up for you to take home and enjoy later.

3. Splash time

The grand finale is a bubbly splash in my miniature roll-top bath.

Babies usually love this part, and it gives us another opportunity to capture lots of joyful photographs as they splash about with bubbles and rubber ducks. It also helps wash away the cake before you head home!

 

When should I book my baby’s cake smash?

Your cake smash can take place shortly before your baby’s first birthday or as part of the birthday celebrations themselves.

If you would like to receive the photographs in time to share them on your baby’s actual birthday, I recommend arranging the session at least two to three weeks beforehand.

Cake smash sessions can book up in advance, so please get in touch as early as possible to secure your preferred date.

 

What should we wear?

I will provide a cute outfit for your baby to wear during the cake-smash part of the session. Please bring a favourite outfit from home for their individual portraits at the beginning.

For family photographs, simple clothing in soft, neutral or mid-tone colours works beautifully. Cream, white, beige, oatmeal, soft pink and light grey are all lovely choices.

For dads, I recommend jeans or chinos with a plain white, tan or oatmeal T-shirt, or a relaxed button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled up and worn untucked.

Please avoid large logos, bold patterns, pictures and very bright colours, as these can distract from your baby.

There’s no need to go overboard with hair and make-up, but a few finishing touches can help you feel your best. Your hands may also appear in the photographs, so please remember to remove any chipped nail varnish.

 

What should I bring?

Although I provide everything needed for the cake smash itself, it’s helpful to bring:

Your baby’s favourite outfit for their first portraits
Spare nappies
A dummy, if your baby uses one
Bottles or drinks as needed
A small savoury snack, as a break from the sugary cake
Comfortable clothes for your baby to travel home in
A change of clothes for both you and your baby
Anything your baby finds especially comforting
Drinks, dry snacks and something entertaining for older siblings

I keep towels, tissues, muslins and sensitive water wipes in the studio, but cake has a remarkable ability to travel—so a change of clothes for you is always a sensible precaution!

 

What if my baby cries?

Babies cry—it’s completely normal and nothing to worry or feel embarrassed about.

I’m a mum myself and have photographed many babies over the years, so I have plenty of patience and a few tried-and-tested techniques to help your little one feel comfortable.

We’ll take breaks whenever they’re needed and always follow your baby’s lead. The more relaxed we are, the more likely your baby is to feel safe and settled too.

 

What if my baby doesn’t want to eat the cake?

Please don’t worry! Not every baby enjoys getting messy or wants to eat the cake, particularly if it’s an unfamiliar experience.

Some babies dive straight in, while others gently touch the icing or need a little encouragement from Mum or Dad. Their reaction—whatever it may be—is part of their personality and part of the memory we’re capturing.

There are lots of little tricks we can use to encourage them, and beautiful photographs can still be created even if they don’t demolish the cake!

 

What if my baby is too unsettled to continue?

I have a very successful record of creating a lovely variety of photographs, even when babies are feeling a little unsure or unsettled.

However, I strongly believe in baby-led sessions. If your baby becomes very upset and it’s clear that continuing isn’t in their best interests, we can discuss rearranging the session for another date. We all have off days—even babies!

If the session needs to be rearranged and a fresh cake must be purchased, I’ll let you know about any additional cake cost beforehand.

 

Can parents and siblings be included?

Absolutely! I’m very happy to photograph your baby with their parents and siblings—in fact, I encourage families to be part of the experience.

Unfortunately, pets cannot be included in cake smash sessions because food is involved.

 

How many photographs will I receive?

I may take anywhere between 50 and 200 photographs during your session.

Afterwards, I carefully select the strongest images, removing any duplicates, test shots, blurred photographs or photographs with closed eyes. The final images are then professionally edited in my signature style.

You will receive a minimum of 25 beautifully edited digital images. These will first be presented in a private, password-protected online gallery for you to view. Once everything has been finalised, you will also receive your images on a beautiful personalised USB, sent to you by Royal Mail.

 

Is retouching included?

Yes. Gentle retouching is included where appropriate.

I’m happy to soften temporary blemishes, scratches, spots or marks that wouldn’t normally be there, while ensuring your baby still looks completely natural and like themselves.

 

When will my photographs be ready?

Your edited images will usually be ready to view in your private, password-protected online gallery within approximately two weeks of your session.

Once your gallery has been finalised, your personalised USB will be prepared and posted to you.

If you need one or two photographs sooner for your baby’s birthday, invitations or another special occasion, please let me know. Where possible, I’ll be happy to provide a small preview.

If you’re happy for me to share a sneak peek on social media, I may also be able to post one within 24–48 hours of your session.

Additional products

You’re welcome to order additional prints, wall art or other products after viewing your gallery.

Payment will be required before your order is placed. Bespoke artwork is generally ready to collect within approximately three weeks, although exact timescales may vary depending on the product ordered.

One final little note…

Please try to relax and enjoy the experience. Babies and children often respond to the energy around them, so the calmer and more comfortable you feel, the more likely they are to feel the same.

Cake smash sessions are meant to be fun, joyful and a little bit chaotic—there is absolutely no pressure for your baby to behave or perform in a particular way.

If there’s anything you’d like to discuss before your session, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. I’m always happy to help and make sure you feel completely prepared.

I can’t wait to celebrate this very special milestone with you and your little one!