What to Expect at a Cake Smash Photography Session in London
A cake smash session is more than just a baby with a cake. Here is exactly what happens from the moment you arrive to the moment your baby is wrapped in a warm towel at the end. Most parents arrive at a cake smash session with a vague idea of what is going to happen. A baby. A cake. Some photos. The reality is a much fuller, more layered experience than that, and families often tell me afterwards that it was completely different to what they were expecting. In the best possible way. Here is exactly what a cake smash session looks like from start to finish. It starts with family portraits Before anyone goes near a cake, we begin with beautiful family portraits. Everyone together, then smaller pairings, then individual shots of your little one. This part of the session gives your baby time to warm up to the environment and to me, and it ensures you walk away with images that capture your whole family, not just one moment. This is also the part where siblings, grandparents, and yes, well-behaved pets are included. These portraits are often the ones families treasure most. Then the cake appears Every cake is handmade and personalised specifically for your session. When the cake is placed in front of your baby, I let them lead entirely. Some little ones dive straight in. Others sit very still and stare at it with great suspicion. Both are completely normal, and both make for wonderful photographs. Nothing is ever forced. If your baby needs time to explore at their own pace, we give them that time. Parents are encouraged to get involved, showing their little one that it is safe to touch and taste. It almost always works. The moments of hesitation, curiosity, and then delight are often the most photographed of the whole session. The bath splash finale After the cake comes the bath. Your baby is gently cleaned off in a warm, beautifully styled bath, and this becomes its own separate set of photographs. Splashing, laughing, rubber ducks, pure joy. These images are consistently among the most beloved from any session. Many families tell me they had no idea the bath photos were included, and that they ended up being their favourites. The whole session takes around one hour The pace is always relaxed and baby-led. I take breaks when needed, let things breathe, and never rush. By the end, most babies have had a full experience and fall asleep on the way home. Your viewing session Within around five days of your shoot, your images are edited and ready to view at a private Zoom viewing. This is where you see your photographs for the first time, choose your favourites, and decide which images and products you would like. Evening appointments are available to work around your schedule.