Shay's Cake Smash & Splash | Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire Cake Smash Photographer

When I receive a message about your little ones Cake Smash, I literally get SO excited. It’s so much fun to be part of your little ones 1st birthday and it really does mean the world to me that you choose me to capture such an amazing milestone! 1st birthdays should really be celebrated in style, I mean it is the first one!

Cake Smash & Splashes are so much fun, you’ve probably heard me say that a thousand times on Instagram, Facebook and blogs how much I love them. There is nothing more fun than a squishy baby, cake and a splash bath.

Little Shay came in for his Cake Smash & Splash just before Christmas 2020 and luckily we managed to squeeze in his session on the day Tier 4 was announced, meaning all non essential businesses had to close that evening. So we really were in luck! I always start off with taking some portraits. This gives your little ones time to feel comfortable in my studio and around me. Shay came straight in and he was so ready to get started. We had so many smilies and giggles and Shay’s Mummy & Daddy were just so great at making him laugh!

When you come in for your Cake Smash, I always pick out some outfits that I think will work well for the portraits. I have a forever growing collection of baby clothes which are all so beautiful. I really do take my time finding lovely pieces to add to the wardrobe and they’re always available for your little ones to use during the session. The wardrobe has a selection of chunky knits, rompers, dresses, tops etc. All freshly washed after each session and ready for you to use. There’s lots to choose from but of course you’re welcome to bring your own outfit. I would always suggest anything white, grey or beige. Nothing with logos, a mixture of colours or harsh patterns! As you can see from the images, Shay’s Mummy bought along a super gorgeous plain white baby grow with ONE written on the front and it really looked so good in the images!

In the studio, there’s plenty of beautiful wooden toys which are laid out for your little ones to play with and they work so well in your images. With them being wooden, they don’t steal the show! They’re simple and natural and your little one’s love them. I do also have a rocking horse which works SO perfectly for capturing up close portraits. We used the rocking horse first and as you can see from the images, I caught Shay in the most perfect lighting. Those big blue eyes lit up and caught on camera so beautifully. Even though he may not be smiling, I love getting that curious look. When they stare straight into the lens, it really does create such beautiful images of your babies!

Shay was so excited to see his cake, he absolutely loved squishing his hands into the buttercream and nibbling away! I love to see how your little ones react to their cake smash. They are all honestly so different. Each child reacts in a different way and it’s so funny to see. Some take their time at getting used to the idea of touching it and might need a little encouragement (perks for parents as you get to taste it to show your child that they’re allowed to eat it!). Cake Smashes are such a good feel and taste exercise and it really does help with your child’s sensory development. Getting to touch and taste (and of course smash!). My buttercream cakes are from a local Hemel Hempstead baker (Creation Cakes By Linda) and are freshly made to order. Linda is an incredible baker and so talented, so please do check out her page!

After the smashing is done and your little one has had enough of the cake, out comes the most gorgeous little tub! Shay was so happy when he saw the bubbles going in as well as the big collection of beautiful bath toys I have, he couldn’t wait to hop on in and splash about. Shay’s Mummy and Daddy said how much he loved to be in the bath so this was definitely a win win. My studio literally becomes a water park, but it’s so funny to see. Having a little splash after the shoot means you can wash off all the cake from your little one, meaning they don’t go home all sticky and it’s a great chance to capture some more SUPER cute pics. I actually think it’s my favourite part of the shoot. Once they’re out of the tub, a super soft fluffy towel is ready and waiting.

Once they’re all dry, had a little snack/drink/cuddle break, the last part of the session is the dressing gown bit. Babies in a dressing gown is just the cutest thing in the world. I have the most beautiful one from The Little White Company, it’s so soft and has tiny little ears on the hood. Shay loved having another play with all the wooden toys whilst I snapped away.

And that’s that! Any left over cake gets boxed up and given back to you if you so wish. A lot of the time, little ones just play with the icing and nibble at the sponge so there’s usually plenty of leftovers. Perfect for when you’re sitting down with a cuppa and fancy a slice.

I can’t wait for all the upcoming cake smashes once I can reopen after lockdown. If you’d like to book in your Cake Smash & Splash, then please do click HERE to get in touch.