Turning one is a big milestone, and a First Birthday session should feel joyful, simple, and suited to your growing family. This Pocket Guide covers everything, from when to book to outfit ideas, props, and keeping your little one relaxed and smiling.

a header image for my first birthday photography pocket guide

First birthday photography is a way to capture that milestone with images you’ll treasure, whether that’s cake smashing, tub splashing, or simply capturing portraits. I specialise in safe, studio-based birthday sessions in Crawley Down, West Sussex (in between Crawley and East Grinstead), with over 20 years’ experience working with babies and families.

From when to book and what to bring, to how I keep your little one safe and comfortable, you’ll find the answers here, short, simple, and easy to dip into whenever you need them.

Here are the most common questions I’m asked about first birthday sessions:

If you’d like your child’s birthday photos to be ready for the big day, then I recommend booking your session at least two weeks before so I have time to get everything ready for you to view in your online gallery.

Most families book the session for when their baby is around 11–13 months old. Some like to do it just before the big day so they can use the images at their party, while others wait until after and treat it as a fun celebration once the dust has settled.

A first birthday session usually includes a mix of milestone portraits, the cake smash itself, and sometimes a splash in the bath afterwards if you’d like. It’s all very relaxed and led by your child, with plenty of time for cuddles and breaks.

It’s £95, which includes the session and your three favourite digital images. You’ll be able to view all of your images and order any more that you’d like from your private online gallery.  It’s £15 for a single digital image, £50 for five images or £195 to download everything in your gallery.

Yes, parents provide the cake. This makes sure it’s something your little one can safely enjoy and avoids any worries about allergies. I’m happy to give you some tips for cakes that photograph well (and smash beautifully!).

Outfits are totally up to you – some families love a special birthday romper, tutu or nappy cover, while others keep it simple with a vest. I can help guide you on what works well with your chosen colours and theme.

Absolutely! While the focus is on your little one, I can include some family portraits or sibling shots as part of the session. It’s a lovely way to mark this milestone together.

It can definitely get a little messy – but that’s part of the fun! I provide wipes and towels for clean-up, and if you’d like to add a splash session at the end, it’s a great way to finish with some bubbly, giggly photos while your baby gets squeaky clean.

It’s more common than you think! Some babies prefer to poke at the icing rather than eat it, and that’s absolutely fine – we still capture lots of expressions, curiosity, and fun. The photos tell the story either way.

First birthday sessions are usually around 45 minutes to an hour. It’s enough time to get a lovely variety of images without overwhelming your little one.

Your final gallery will be ready to view online around two weeks after your session. From there, you can choose your three favourites to download that are included in your session fee, and there’s always the option to add extras if you’d like.  It’s all done online – there’s never any sales meeting to attend.

The Short Answer

Best Age for Session11-13 months
Session Length1 hour
What’s Included 3 digital images
Price £95
Where My Crawley Down Studio, West Sussex
BookingI recommend booking a few weeks before your baby’s first birthday to secure your preferred date.

How Much Does a First Birthday Session Cost?

Session fee (inc three digital images) – £95

Single digital image – £15

Five digital images – £50

All digital images – £195

What’s Next?

If you’re ready to plan your first birthday session, here are some helpful links:

Can’t find what you’re looking for? I’m always here to help, just get in touch.

Why Choose Me as your  First Birthday Photographer?

  • Over 20 years experience
  • Full time, professional photographer
  • Specialist studio with lots of themes, props and accessories
  • Hundreds of families photographed
  • Baby-led approach

Feeling a little nervous about booking?

That is completely normal. Most families arrive with at least one quiet worry, and almost all of them say afterwards that it was nothing like they expected.

If you are feeling unsure, this page covers the concerns I hear most often and why they usually turn out to be smaller than they seemed.

Nervous about booking a photo session?

Gallery Images

My style is flexible, natural and unposed, or styled with props and themes. Whether you’d like simple milestone shots, a cake smash, a tub splash or a mix of all of those, I’ll create images that feel right for you.

a little boy claps his hands together a she sits behind his cake a first birthday photo shoot.
twins - the girl with her face buried in the cake and the boy taking a more cautious approach
A little boy stands in front of some balloons with his birthday cake at a professional first birthday photo shoot
a little boy sits in a white rolltop bath holding a giant yellow duck at a first birthday photo shoot
a little girl in a bathtub with a boho styled backdrop
A little girl sits in a dress with hearts on it in front of a bunch of balloons with a cake in front of her at her first birthday photo shoot in West Sussex
Cake Smash Photo Shoots East Grinstead
a smiling little boy in a jungle themed cake smash photo shoot
Cake Smash Photo Shoots in East Grinstead West Sussex
Cake Smash Photo Shoots in East Grinstead West Sussex
Cake Smash Photo Shoots in East Grinstead West Sussex
a little girl peeks over the edge of a rolltop bath with flowers in front of it

Where is Your Studio?

My studio is warm, private, and designed with families in mind, easy to find, peaceful, and calm for a relaxed first birthday session. It’s based in the heart of West Sussex, in Crawley Down just outside East Grinstead, and within easy reach of the M25 so convenient for visitors from all over Kent, Surrey and Sussex. I have plenty of easy parking and we’re in a quiet neighbourhood so we can enjoy relaxation and privacy during your studio visit.

Your Baby’s First Birthday Photo Guide

Planning your baby’s first birthday photos can feel like a lot at first, but it doesn’t have to be.  Whether you’re thinking about a cake smash, a simple portrait session, or something more styled, this guide brings together everything you need to plan a relaxed, enjoyable experience from start to finish.   If you’re not sure where to start, I’m always happy to guide you.

Start Here

If you’re just getting your bearings, these will help you understand what to expect:

• What happens during a cake smash photo shoot
• Cake smash FAQs
• Feeling nervous about booking a photo shoot

Planning Your Cake Smash

Once you’re ready to start planning, these will help you make the key decisions:

• How to choose the perfect cake smash cake
• Cake smash outfit ideas for babies
• Cake smash theme ideas for first birthdays
• Cake smash decoration ideas

More First Birthday Ideas

If you’re still deciding what kind of session feels right:

First Birthday Photo Shoots in East Grinstead

Celebrate your baby’s first birthday with a relaxed session tailored to you. A First Birthday Shoot can include simple portraits, a cake smash, a fun tub splash, and family or sibling photos, with three digital images included for £95. It’s a lovely way to mark the milestone and capture your baby’s personality at one.