Your Baby’s First Birthday Cake Smash & Splash Questions Answered by Woodland Hill Photography

Celebrate your baby’s first trip around the sun with cake, bubbles, and a sprinkle of magic

Your baby’s first birthday is a milestone you’ll never forget, and a Cake Smash & Splash session is the sweetest way to celebrate it.

If you’re wondering what actually happens, when to book or how messy things get (spoiler: delightfully messy!), here’s everything you need to know.

🍰 What is a Cake Smash & Splash session?

A Cake Smash & Splash is a joyful, sensory photography experience where your little one gets to explore, taste and play with their very own birthday cake.  This is followed by a warm bubble bath splash to clean up and capture those giggles.

It’s all about fun, curiosity, and letting your baby’s personality shine. Every session is designed around your colours, theme and comfort level.  It’s calm, safe and completely baby-led.

🕐 When should I book my session?

The best time to book is when your baby is around 10–11 months old, so the photos are ready to display for their first birthday.

Sessions are often booked 2 months in advance, especially around spring and autumn when slots fill quickly.

💡 Tip: If you’d love your photographs ready for the birthday party or invitations, book early, we can plan the session so you have your favourites in plenty of time.  Some parents love the cake smash to be on the actual day or a few days either side too.

🎂 Do you provide the cake and outfits?

Yes, we make things easy for you.

I provide cakes that photograph beautifully, you bring your own outfit and toys/keepsakes (perhaps their first teddy or a family heirloom blanket) to personalise the session.  We will have a planning call before the experience, it’s a time to plan and get excited.

😅 What if my baby doesn’t like getting messy?

That’s completely fine! Every baby is different.

Some dive straight in; others prefer gentle touches or using a spoon. The key is no pressure, we follow your baby’s cues, keep the mood playful, and capture authentic reactions (even those curious “what is this?” faces are adorable).

The bubble bath afterwards usually wins everyone over!

🫧 What happens during the “Splash” part?

After the cake fun, we move to a warm, bubbly mini-bath. Babies love this stage, it’s relaxing, makes for the cutest photos and means they go home squeaky-clean.

It’s also a lovely way to finish on a calm, happy note.

👨‍👩‍👧 Can parents or siblings join in?

Absolutely! We can start with a few family portraits before the cake comes out, perfect for marking this milestone together.

Siblings and parents are actively encouraged to join in with the smash.  We usually have photos at the beginning with baby and the cake but as soon as they get stuck in, it’s a wonderful way to be in the moment together.

🖼️ What happens after the session?

Once your photographs are lovingly edited, we’ll meet for your Design Consultation – either the same day or at a later date, depending on your preference.

That’s where you’ll see your gallery, choose your favourites and design beautiful wall art, albums or treasure boxes that tell your baby’s story.

🪞 Because portraits are more than pictures, they’re daily reminders of how far you’ve come as a family.

📅 How long does a Cake Smash & Splash session last?

I always allow 90 minutes.  That includes settling-in time, cake play, the splash and breaks for cuddles or feeds. There’s no rush, we keep things calm and baby-paced throughout.

🪞 At Woodland Hill Photography you’re cherished not on some sort of conveyor belt!

🎁 What should I bring with me?

You only need:

• A towel, the outfit for the smash and a spare outfit for the journey home.  You can have another outfit for the first portraits but that’s entirely up to you.

• Nappies and wipes

• A drink or snack for your little one, I have a prep guide that suggests snacks for reticent smashers!

• Any keepsake or toys you’d love to include

I provide everything else; cake, bubbles, balloons and of course the patience of someone who adores photographing little personalities!

💡 There will be surprises, I love to make things special but if I told you it wouldn’t be a surprise.

🌸 Ready to celebrate your baby’s first trip around the sun?

Let’s create a session that’s joyful, meaningful and utterly them.

✨ To learn more and make an enquiry click on the button below

Or explore more about why printed wall art means more than another toy and how to choose outfits for your Cake Smash & Splash Experience

Q: When should I book my baby’s Cake Smash & Splash session?
A: Around 10–11 months old so your photos are ready for the birthday celebration.

Q: Do you provide the cake and outfits?
A: Yes, cake provided  but you can bring your own keepsakes too.

Q: What if my baby doesn’t like getting messy?
A: Every session is baby-led; we follow their cues and still capture adorable moments.

Q: Can parents or siblings join in?
A: Definitely! It’s a family celebration!