What is a cake smash?

When I mention I am photographing a cake smash the next question is often is - What is a cake smash?

Basically it is a photo shoot to celebrate baby’s first birthday that involves a cake and baby getting messy. It started off in America and then it came here and families in the UK are loving this new celebration photo shoot.

At my studio in Berkshire It is an opportunity to capture baby on their 1st birthday (sometimes second birthday if they missed their first birthday shoot), the first photos are taken in a favourite outfit. Sometimes baby might be standing or even walking so we capture whichever stage of development baby is at. Maybe a few photos with parents too and then baby is dressed in his/hers next outfit (sometimes a vest) or an outfit where parents are prepared for baby to get messy.