First Birthday Cake Smash & Tub Splash Photo Shoot | Sarah Fisher Photography

Absolutely. I’m very happy to include parents and siblings in a few photos at the start of your session before the cake comes out. After that, you can relax, enjoy the moment and watch the fun unfold.

Yes – twins are very welcome to share a cake smash and tub splash session, and the price stays the same. I’ve photographed twins with one shared cake and with individual cakes, and in my experience a shared cake usually works best. It keeps things simple and stops the constant swapping because they always want whatever the other one has! But whichever option you prefer is absolutely fine – we can tailor the session to suit your little duo.

Yes – you’re very welcome to bring your own props and accessories to personalise your session. Whether it’s a special toy, a birthday item or something meaningful to your family, we can include it in your photos. I’ll blend anything you bring with my studio props so everything works together beautifully.

Yes, absolutely. You can celebrate your baby’s first birthday with both a cake smash and a tub splash in the same session, or you can choose to do just one — it’s entirely up to you. Most families like to include both because the tub splash is a lovely way to finish, and it means you get a beautiful variety of photos from one visit.

Yes, you’re very welcome to choose the colours or overall style for your session. The day before your shoot, I’ll send you an options form where you can select the colours you’d like, and you’re welcome to bring small personal touches if you want to make the set feel more “you.”

I keep the setups clean and simple so your baby stays the focus, but there’s lots of room for personal preference. If you’re unsure what works well, I’m always happy to guide you.

Yes – I use a bubble machine during tub splash sessions, and it produces plenty of bubbles without anyone needing to blow them by hand. Bubbles are a brilliant way to keep little ones engaged in the bath and they always add a lovely sense of fun to the photos.

Yes — I have a clear stand, a wooden stand and a log-slice style stand, all perfect for round cakes of around 8–10 inches. You’re also welcome to bring your own if you prefer, although a stand isn’t essential.

It’s worth knowing that cakes are more likely to get tipped onto the floor when they’re on a raised stand (the log slice is the exception as it sits low). This can be cute and chaotic in photos, but it depends on the look you’re after. I’m happy to chat through what will work best for your session.

While I don’t provide the cake itself, you’re very welcome to bring any allergy-friendly or dairy-free option that suits your child’s needs. Many parents choose cakes made without dairy, eggs, gluten or nuts, and they work just as well for a cake smash — it’s all about texture rather than taste.

If your little one has allergies, you know best what’s safe for them, and you can choose a baker who specialises in free-from cakes or make your own at home. As long as the icing is soft enough for little fingers to play with, it will photograph beautifully.

If you’d like advice on what type of cake works well for smashing (free-from or otherwise), I’m always happy to guide you.

I don’t provide the cake, as it’s impossible to meet everyone’s design preferences and to safely manage different allergy needs. Most families choose to bring a cake from their favourite baker, but supermarket cakes can work brilliantly too – just make sure the icing is soft enough for little hands to squish.

If you’re making your own, I recommend fresh cream or buttercream icing for the best “smashability.”

You don’t need to do much to prepare, but a few small things can make the session run really smoothly. Make sure your baby arrives well-rested and has had a good meal beforehand – hungry or overtired little ones can find the session overwhelming.

If you’re unsure how they’ll react to icing, you can let them try a tiny fingertip of buttercream at home beforehand, just so the texture isn’t a surprise. A comfy outfit and a relaxed morning also help enormously.

Other than that, there’s nothing special you need to do – I guide everything gently on the day.

I book the studio for an hour for a cake smash and tub splash session, but most sessions take around 45 minutes. If we’re starting with a clean portrait before the cake comes out, and then moving on to the tub splash, that timing works really well.

We keep things flowing at a comfortable pace – little ones have short attention spans at this age, so the session is designed to keep them happy and engaged without overwhelming them.

Cake smashes are meant to be messy – that’s half the fun!  However it does vary by baby and most don’t get too sticky actually.  Either way,  I set everything up in a way that contains the chaos, and once the session is over, I take care of all the clean-up. You don’t need to wipe down the floor, wash anything or help tidy.

Most families head home with a clean, happy baby thanks to the tub splash at the end, and I handle the rest. You can simply enjoy the experience without worrying about the mess.

A cake smash and tub splash session (you’re welcome to do both within the same appointment) is £95 and includes three of your favourite digital images.

After your session, you’ll receive a private online gallery where you can choose your favourites in your own time. There’s no in-person viewing or sales appointment – everything is done online, and you can order additional images directly from your gallery if you wish.

Lots of parents prefer to avoid sugar for a first birthday session, and that’s completely fine. Babies rarely eat much of the cake during a smash – it’s mostly about exploring the textures – but you’re very welcome to bring a sugar-free option. Some families choose a naturally sweetened sponge or use fresh cream with fruit such as blueberries or strawberries instead of icing. These alternatives photograph beautifully and have been really popular.

Whatever you decide, we can adapt the session so it suits your family’s preferences.

For a cake smash session, you’ll need to bring your baby’s cake, the outfit you’d like them to wear for the smash, and a towel if you’re adding the tub splash at the end. I provide the set, props and bubbles, and you’ll get access to my Cake Smash Client Hub as soon as you book, which walks you through everything step by step. There’s also a detailed guide on my blog with extra tips if you’d like more ideas before your session.

What to Bring to my Cake Smash

A cake smash session is a fun, relaxed way to celebrate your baby turning one, and I guide you through the whole experience from start to finish. Once you book, you’ll get access to my Client Hub where you can find all the planning advice you need. The day before your session, I’ll send you an options form so you can choose the colours and style you’d like for your photos – and you’re always welcome to bring along any personal bits to make it uniquely yours.

When you arrive at the studio, we start with family photos (and siblings too) while everyone is clean and happy. Then it’s onto the main event – the cake smash – where your little one can explore, taste and play at their own pace. Afterwards comes the tub splash, which is a lovely chance to capture fresh, smiley images while they have a warm bubble bath and get cleaned up.

Your edited photos will be ready in an online gallery around two weeks later. You can enjoy your three included images and, if you’d like to, order more from your gallery.

Not all babies want to dive straight into the cake, and that’s completely normal. Some don’t like getting their hands messy or simply need a little time to warm up. You don’t need dramatic cake destruction to get lovely photos – gentle interaction works just as well.

I always start with patience and let your baby explore at their own pace. I also have tiny wooden spoons in the studio, which are brilliant for babies who prefer not to touch the icing. If needed, we can hide a few familiar snacks behind the cake to encourage them to reach in, or at least look like they’re getting involved. However your baby approaches it, we’ll get sweet, relaxed images that suit their personality

A cake smash photo shoot is a fun way to celebrate your baby turning one. You simply place a birthday cake in front of your little one and let them explore, taste, squish and play. It’s all about capturing their natural reactions – whether that’s big smiles, tiny finger dips or full-on cake chaos.

The photos are bright, joyful and full of personality, making it a lovely way to mark the end of your baby’s first year. Every baby approaches a cake smash differently, and that’s part of the magic – I simply follow their lead and photograph the fun as it unfolds.

A tub splash photo shoot is a fun, bubbly mini-bath session that works beautifully on its own or as the perfect follow-on to a cake smash. You choose one of my miniature tubs – the tin tub, the claw-foot bath or the clear tub for milk bath images – and I fill it with warm, bubbly water so your little one can splash and play.

If you’ve just had a cake smash, it’s a lovely way for your baby to get clean while we capture fresh, happy photos. The result is a set of bright, joyful images that babies always love.

I have a growing range of props and accessories for first birthday sessions, including large wooden number ones for the clean portraits, a selection of tub splash accessories, and lots of bunting you’re welcome to borrow. I’m always adding new items to the studio, so if you have something specific in mind, feel free to get in touch and I’ll let you know what’s currently available.

It’s completely up to you, but it’s worth choosing something you don’t mind getting messy. Cake smash outfits tend to get covered in icing – especially if the icing is a darker colour – so it’s best to avoid anything precious. Some parents prefer their little ones to be fully dressed (I always recommend bare feet), some choose trousers or a pettiskirt, and others go for a simple nappy with a nappy cover.

There are lots of specially designed cake smash outfits available now, and places like auction sites, Facebook Marketplace and Etsy often have lovely options. Whatever you choose, aim for something comfortable that suits your baby’s personality.

A 6–8 inch cake is perfect for a cake smash session. Babies don’t usually eat very much of it – the fun is in exploring, squishing and tasting – so there’s no need to go larger unless you want leftovers to take home. The design and style are completely up to you, and anything in this size range works brilliantly in the studio.

I have three miniature baths you can choose from for your tub splash: a vintage-style tin tub, a modern miniature claw-foot bath, and a clear tub that’s perfect for milk bath photos. You’re welcome to pick your favourite on the day, and you can see examples of all three in my cake smash posts on the blog.

You can choose any cake you like – some families order a professionally made one, others prefer a homemade cake or something simple from the supermarket. The main thing to look for is soft icing. Buttercream or fresh cream icing works brilliantly because it’s easy for little hands to squish and explore. Royal icing is much firmer, so babies often find it harder to break into.

For the cleanest, most flattering photos, I recommend avoiding very dark cakes. Decorations are completely up to you – from simple cake toppers to colourful sprinkles or fresh fruit. Whatever suits your style will look lovely in the photos.

I always do my best to fit in last-minute requests, but the studio can get busy – especially for Saturday appointments. You can book up to three months ahead, and I recommend securing your date early to make sure you get the time that suits you.

If you’d like your photos ready for your little one’s actual birthday, it’s best to book the session for a couple of weeks beforehand so I have time to prepare, edit and upload your gallery.