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Timeless, maternity, baby and cake smash photography, covering Andover, Basingstoke, Newbury, Salisbury, Tidworth, Stockbridge, Southampton and surrounding areas of Hampshire, Wiltshire, Berkshire

Cake Smash photography Hampshire

First birthdays deserve a little cake

A cake smash photoshoot is a lovely way to celebrate your baby's first birthday - and there's much more to the session than cake flying around the studio.

Your shoot starts with simple portraits of your baby and some family photographs before we bring out the cake. Then comes the cake smash itself, followed by a warm splash bath to finish.

Sessions take place at my garden studio in Anna Valley, near Andover in Hampshire. I provide the cake, outfits, props and bath, so you don't need to arrive carrying half a birthday party with you.

EXPLORE CAKE SMASH SESSIONS
First birthday cake smash portrait of a baby girl sitting beside a floral cake, photographed in a soft, neutral style at a Hampshire cake smash photography studio.

What happens during a cake smash photoshoot?

Cake smash sessions last around an hour and are split into several parts, giving you much more variety than photographs of your baby sitting beside a cake.

Family photographs

I always include the opportunity for some family photographs at the beginning of the session.

You might not feel particularly enthusiastic about getting in front of the camera, but these are often some of the photographs that become more valuable with time.

Your baby will one day be able to look back and see exactly who was there celebrating this little milestone with them.

Baby portraits

We capture some simple portraits before the cake appears. I keep these natural and fairly minimal so the focus stays on your baby.

The cake smash

Then it's time for the cake.

Some babies enthusiastically demolish it. Some investigate it very carefully.

Some are considerably more interested in crawling away.

There is no right way to cake smash. I let your baby lead the session and photograph whatever unfolds.

The splash bath

We finish with a warm splash bath, which is usually both a practical clean-up operation and another opportunity for lovely photographs.

For many babies, this ends up being their favourite part.
Framed multi-image wall art featuring photographs from a baby’s first birthday cake smash session
One-year-old baby sitting on a pale backdrop beside a white balloon, photographed during a first birthday cake smash photoshoot near Andover, Hampshire.

Everything you need is provided

You don't need to source a cake, buy a special outfit or arrive with a boot full of props.

Your cake smash session includes:

- a professionally made cake
- outfits from my studio collection
- simple props and set styling
- portraits before the cake smash
- family photographs
- the cake smash itself
- a warm splash bath afterwards

My style is natural and fairly minimal, with neutral colours and simple textures rather than elaborate themed sets.

If you have something particular in mind for your baby's session, you're very welcome to talk to me about it before your shoot.

"Helen has made our dreams come true by capturing our gorgeous little girl at one years old - I am absolutely over the moon with the quality of the photos, Helen's patience and skill to get (and keep) my daughter's attention, and the viewing session had me welling up - just beautiful! Can't thank you enough Helen xx"
Liz Hinde
Read my 5* reviews on Google

A first birthday photoshoot that's about more than cake

Your baby's first birthday marks the end of a rather extraordinary year.

They may have gone from a tiny newborn curled against you to a little person crawling, standing, laughing and developing some very definite opinions.

That's why I don't treat cake smash sessions simply as photographs of babies covered in icing.

The portraits and family photographs at the beginning of your shoot capture your baby at this particular stage too - their expressions, little features and personality before everything gets wonderfully sticky.

The result is a gallery that tells a little more of the story of their first birthday.

Natural family photography in Hampshire showing parents laughing and playing with their toddler in a relaxed studio photoshoot near Andover.
Smiling one-year-old girl standing beside her birthday cake during a cake smash photoshoot in a Hampshire photography studio near Andover.

Natural cake smash photography in Hampshire

My approach to cake smash photography is simple, relaxed and baby-led.

I don't expect babies to perform for the camera and I certainly don't expect every one-year-old to sit obediently beside a cake.

If they crawl away, we follow them. If they need a cuddle, we stop. If they decide the wooden spoon is vastly more interesting than the cake, the wooden spoon gets its moment.

I've been photographing babies since 2017 and my garden studio is designed to be warm, comfortable and relaxed for little ones and their families.

The studio is in Anna Valley, near Andover, and I welcome families from across Hampshire and the surrounding areas.

Visit My Hampshire Studio

When should I book a cake smash photoshoot?

I recommend having your cake smash session when your baby is around 11 months old if you'd like the finished photographs ready to share or display for their first birthday.

You don't have to wait until their actual birthday.

Booking a little earlier also gives us more flexibility when choosing your session date and allows time for your photographs to be edited and ordered.

If your baby has already turned one, don't worry - we can still celebrate.

Enquire About a Cake Smash
Baby girl sitting in a vintage bath surrounded by bubbles during a cake smash and splash photoshoot in Hampshire near Andover.

Cake Smash Photography Prices

Session fee - £95

Your £95 session fee secures your booking and covers the photography session itself.

For cake smash sessions, the £95 session fee is deducted from the price of the collection you choose after your shoot.

You don't need to decide which collection you would like until you have seen your beautifully edited photographs.

Baby girl enjoying her first birthday cake smash with pink cake

The Platinum Collection

The full story, preserved beautifully.

Includes:
• Full gallery of 20+ hand-edited digital images in high resolution, supplied by digital download
• Matching set of 5x7" professional prints
• £100 wall art credit to use towards framed prints or larger statement pieces
• Complimentary wall art design service
• £50 voucher towards your next session, valid for 12 months
£495 ⭐ Most Popular
Smiling baby sitting beside ONE letters before a first birthday cake smash

The Gold Collection

Ten moments to keep, share and display.

Includes:
• 10 hand-edited digital images in high resolution, supplied by digital download
• Matching set of 5x7" professional prints
• £50 wall art credit to use towards framed prints or larger statement pieces
£395
Baby boy holding a ONE cake topper during his first birthday cake smash

The Silver Collection

A small collection of your favourites.

Includes:
• 5 hand-edited digital images in high resolution, supplied by digital download
£295
Your cake, outfits, props and splash bath are provided as part of your session.

Wall art credit can be used towards framed prints, canvases, acrylic or aluminium prints and must be used at your viewing appointment.

Turn your photographs into something for your home

Your photographs don't have to live permanently on your phone or computer.

I offer a range of professionally made frames, canvases and albums, which you can see when you return to the studio for your viewing and ordering appointment.

I'll help you choose something that suits both your photographs and your home, with no obligation to purchase artwork.

View Wall Art & Albums
Framed multi-image cake smash collage featuring a baby’s first birthday portraits, professionally displayed as wall art above a sofa in a neutral family living room, photographed by a Hampshire baby photographer.
Baby celebrating their first birthday with a cake smash

Cake Smash Photography Across Hampshire

My cake smash studio is in Anna Valley, just outside Andover, and families travel to me from across Hampshire, Wiltshire, Berkshire and Surrey.

If you're looking for cake smash photography closer to your area, you can also find more local information for families travelling from Andover, Basingstoke, Winchester, Salisbury and surrounding areas.

Enquire About a Cake Smash

Preparing for your baby's cake smash

Wondering what to bring, what your baby should wear or how to prepare for the session? 

I've put together a simple guide covering everything you need to know before your cake smash photoshoot.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR A CAKE SMASH
Twin babies enjoying their first birthday cake smash together

FAQs

Your questions answered

Your session includes simple baby portraits, family photographs, the cake smash and a warm splash bath afterwards. I also provide the cake, outfits, props and simple set styling.

The session fee is £95. After your shoot, you choose from collections starting at £295 for five digital images. For cake smash sessions, your £95 session fee is deducted from the collection price.

No. I provide the cake for your cake smash session, so you don't need to organise one yourself.
If your baby has allergies or particular dietary requirements, please let me know before booking so we can discuss what is suitable.

I usually recommend photographing your baby at around 11 months if you'd like the finished photographs ready for their first birthday. Sessions can also take place around or after their first birthday.

That's absolutely fine.
Some babies dive straight in while others barely touch it. Your baby doesn't need to eat or destroy the cake for us to create lovely photographs.
The session is led by them, and we simply photograph their reactions and personality as they explore.

Yes. I encourage parents and siblings to join in for some family photographs before the cake smash begins.

Yes. I have a selection of outfits available at the studio, although you're also welcome to bring something of your own.

My garden studio is in Anna Valley, near Andover in Hampshire, with easy access from towns including Basingstoke, Winchester, Salisbury and Newbury.

Laughing baby girl smashing her birthday cake during a first birthday cake smash photoshoot in a Hampshire studio near Andover.

GET IN TOUCH WITH HELEN

Your Forever Family Photographer

I help busy parents like you to create timeless, natural, printed photographs of your family for your beautiful home, taking away the hassle of choosing and ordering quality prints, artwork for your wall or quality albums, all the while ensuring the whole family has a memorable experience.

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