colchester cake smash photography
One whole year of growing, changing and stealing your heart.
Let's celebrate it properly!
Whether they dive straight in or eye it suspiciously from a distance, first birthday sessions are always an adventure! Sessions are kept simple in my bright white studio, with birthday props, a studio wardrobe and a wooden cake option for anyone who'd rather skip the mess. Real cake smashes finish with a bathtub splash to clean up before the journey home.
Every cake smash ends with a bubble bath in the studio. It makes for some of the sweetest images of the whole session, and means nobody travels home sticky.
Expect rubber ducks, bubbles and plenty of splashing!
Part three: splash
Here comes the best bit. I'll bring out the cake and let baby take the lead, the reactions are always priceless. Some babies dive straight in and others need some encouragement!
A wooden cake is always available if you'd prefer to keep things clean.
Part two : cake smash
We kick off with studio play and birthday portraits. Baby gets to explore the toys, wear their special outfit and have some lovely photos with the family too. I have a variety of birthday specific props and toys to use.
Part one: play
The Garden Studio
A cosy, purpose-built garden studio in Lawford, Essex. Designed entirely around babies and the families who love them.
SESSION FEE
£245
10 Digital Images Included
- 1 hour session at my garden studio in Manningtree.
- Private online gallery of 50+ carefully edited images
- 10 digital images to download and keep
- Welcome guide and styling advice sent ahead of your session
- Gallery delivered within 7 days
FULL GALLERY UPGRADE
Every edited image from your session, plus ten favourite prints to frame at home
Available to add any time after your session, no pressure to decide on the day
+ £150
Sessions secured with a £100 deposit · Gift vouchers available
A three part session in my Manningtree studio. Siblings and partners are always welcome.
INVESTMENT
Cake Smash Sessions
Prints, wall art and additional digital images available to purchase via your online gallery.
Session balance of £145 due on the day.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Cakes must be provided by parents/carers because of allergies and intolerances. A simple naked cake or victoria sponge works best, or even just a cupcake! If you'd prefer to avoid the mess I do have a wooden cake we can use instead.
For the play session any outfit goes, I'd advise sticking to soft pastels, denim or neutrals but a fun party outfit looks great here. For the cake smash a simple baby grow is great as it will get very sticky. Cake smash sessions always end with a bubbly bath so baby doesn't go home sticky!
I allow around 1 hour for cake smash sessions. We'll have a 25 minute play session, 25 minutes cake smashing and then 10 minutes in bath!
Photos are ready to view 7 days after the session so factor in this timing if you'd like them in time for baby's birthday. I would always advise booking at around 11-11.5 months ideally so they are ready for you to share on the day.
Yes, during the play session at the start I include all family members so you'll all have an opportunity for photos with the birthday boy or girl.