Where Big Personalities Meet a Calm, Confident Studio Experience
Styled to look magical. Designed to feel secure. Dundonald, Belfast.
This is more than just a photoshoot. This is celebrating a whole year of love, laughter and little milestones.
Can you believe you’re already planning your little baba’s FIRST birthday? It probably feels like only yesterday you were bringing them home, getting to know their tiny features and wondering how someone so small could change your world so completely.
Now, those newborn cuddles have turned into cheeky smiles, curious little hands and a growing personality that’s becoming more obvious by the day. And before you know it, you’ll be celebrating their very first trip around the sun.
A cake smash is about so much more than cake and balloons. It’s about capturing their personality as it is right now — the curious looks, messy little fingers, giggles, surprised expressions and even those moments when they decide the cake isn’t quite for them! There’s no pressure for your baby to perform or make a mess. We simply follow their lead and capture the magic as it unfolds.
This is where I come in.
With a selection of sixteen thoughtfully styled themes to choose from, your session is planned to celebrate your little one in a way that feels special to your family. In my cosy Dundonald home studio, I’ll guide you through the experience, from those beautiful portraits at the start to the fun of the cake smash itself, so you can relax and enjoy watching your baby explore.
I recommend booking your cake smash session when your little one is around 6–7 months old. This gives us time to plan your chosen theme and secure a date around their first birthday, without leaving everything until the last minute.
Whether they’re diving straight into the icing or giving it a very cautious poke, every little reaction is part of their story. And if they’re not quite sure what to make of the cake? That’s perfectly okay too. The best photographs come from letting your baby be themselves.
Because first birthdays come around only once. The decorations will eventually come down, the cake will be eaten, and those tiny first-birthday outfits will become keepsakes in a drawer. But your photographs will remain — reminding you of the little person they were at one, long after they’ve grown into the next chapter.
Let’s celebrate their first trip around the sun, one little messy moment at a time.
Every baby is different, and every session is too. Your gallery will be shaped around your little one, with a mix of timeless portraits and the little moments you’ll never want to forget.
Let’s have one less thing to think about.
Between watching your little one grow, keeping up with their ever-changing milestones and sizes and somehow planning a first birthday party, there’s already so much to think about!
Your baby’s first birthday photos shouldn’t be one of them.
When your little one reaches around 6–7 months old, it’s the perfect time to get in touch and start planning their cake smash session. We’ll choose a theme you love, find a date around their first birthday and get everything organised in advance — so when the big day arrives, all you need to do is enjoy watching your little baba have fun.
Here’s how it works:
Get in touch when your baby is 6–7 months old — tell me their date of birth and I’ll check availability for 3-4 weeks prior to their first birthday. (So that you get your favourite images in time for their birthday!)
Secure your booking — a £107 session booking fee reserves your session date and time. (Weekend availability limited)
Choose your theme — we’ll plan a beautifully styled setup to celebrate your little one’s first birthday. Letting me know of any food or skin allergies for the cake baker and bubble bath (which is included)
Enjoy your session — I’ll guide you through the portraits and cake smash, capturing all those little expressions, giggles and messy moments along the way.
Choose your favourite photographs — view your finished gallery 1–2 weeks later in the studio and choose the collection that’s right for you.
Digital Bundles
Collections start at £399, with options to suit how you’d love to preserve your little one’s first birthday memories.
All-Inclusive Collections
Prefer to have everything taken care of in one package? Explore my all-inclusive collection options and choose the one that’s right for your family.
Happy Parents
⭐️“Couldn’t recommend Jade enough. After doing my own research and looking at Jade’s portfolio I was more than happy to choose her for our daughter’s first birthday cake smash and I was not disappointed. The end results are more than I could have hoped for it actually brought tears to my eyes. Thank you so much for capturing such special photos of our daughter.” — Ellen
HOW YOUR CAKE SMASH SESSION WORKS
01 The Best Time To Book
The ideal time to book your cake smash session is once your little one reaches 7 months old. Cake smash sessions are best photographed three weeks before baba’s birthday so that you get your favourite digital images in time to show off on the big day itself!
02 Preparing for your session
Don’t worry — I’ll guide you with styling advice before your session so you can feel prepared and confident.
I generally recommend neutral, complementary tones and simple clothing. Soft creams, beiges, whites and muted colours photograph beautifully, while avoiding large logos or busy patterns helps keep the images timeless.
The most important thing is that you feel comfortable. I’ll help you choose outfits that work beautifully together and I’ll have lots of outfits for baby to choose from you can use from the studio wardrobe.
03 What if my baby is unsettled on the day?
Don’t worry — not every baby arrives ready to dive straight into a cake, and that’s absolutely okay!
Some little ones are full of curiosity, while others need a little time to warm up to their surroundings. Teething and tiredness can play big part in their days and I’ll always give top tips in preparing.
My sessions are relaxed and baby-led, allowing your little one time to settle in, have a cuddle and explore at their own pace.
There’s no pressure for your baby to smile on cue, dig into the cake or make a big mess. I’ll gently guide you throughout the session, capturing their little expressions and personality as they naturally unfold.
04 Arriving At The Studio
When you arrive at my cosy home studio in Dundonald, everything will be ready and waiting for you. With private parking right outside and refreshments available throughout your visit, all you need to do is settle in and relax for your 1hr session.
The studio has been designed with families in mind, creating a welcoming environment for small baba’s.
05 A Fun-filled Session
Every session is guided entirely by your baby’s needs.
There’s never any pressure to make your baby pose or smile in a particular way. Hilarious expressions, little splashes and natural moments can be just as precious, and your baby’s comfort always comes first.
The most important thing is that both you all enjoy a fun experience.
06 Parent & Sibling Portraits
While your youngest will be the star of the show, these sessions are also about celebrating your growing family. You’ve ALL made it a year! Parent, sibling and family photographs are always encouraged and often become some of the most treasured images from your gallery.
Whether you’re feeling worried your sibling or baby won’t cooperate, please don’t stress. I’ll gently guide you throughout and keep everything fun and natural to get the best results. This often eases the youngest on set because they’re on set having fun with who they trust and love most. You.
07 After Your Session
After your session, I carefully select and hand-edit the very best images in my signature style. Every photograph receives individual attention to ensure your final gallery is timeless, beautiful and ready to be enjoyed for years to come.
This editing process takes place behind the scenes, allowing me to perfect every detail before you see your finished portraits.
08 Seeing Your Images For The First Time
Around two weeks after your session, you’ll be invited back to the studio for your personalised viewing appointment.
This is often one of the most emotional parts of the experience as you see your baby’s finished portraits for the very first time. Together we’ll view your gallery, revisit those precious moments from your session and choose the images and artwork you’d love to enjoy in your home.
It’s a special moment that many families remember just as fondly as the session itself.
09 Digital Images, Wall Art & Albums
Your first birthday photographs deserve more than a place on your phone. Alongside digital collections, I offer beautiful wall art, handcrafted albums and keepsakes designed to become part of your home and family story.
During your viewing appointment, I’ll guide you through all available options and help you choose the collection that best suits your family. There is absolutely no pressure—simply choose what you love.
Book Your Cake Smash Photoshoot Today
Your little one only turns ONE once. From those cheeky smiles and curious little expressions to the icing-covered fingers and unforgettable first birthday giggles, let’s capture the little personality you’ve fallen in love with.
I’m currently accepting bookings for sessions up until January 2027, before my own maternity leave happens from February to July.
Cake Smash Bookings have already begun being taken for August 2027 – On my return weekend availability will drop to one weekend a month only.
Simply fill out the form, and I’ll be in touch within 48hrs to help you plan your newborn photoshoot.
I recommend booking 2–3 months in advance to secure your preferred date. Most parents schedule their cake smash for 2–4 weeks before baby’s first birthday so you have your photos in time for the big day.
Yes! I’ll organise a beautiful themed cake to match your chosen colours or style. Just let me know your preferences, and any allergies, and I’ll take care of it.
Absolutely. I like to start with classic family photos, and first-birthday portraits, before the cake smash. You’ll get a full gallery of memories to treasure!
That’s perfectly normal! Sessions are completely baby-led with no rush or pressure. We go at your little one’s pace to make sure they’re comfortable and happy. Including family photos at the beginning also shows your baby that there’s nothing to be afraid of, and helps to start the session gently.
My home studio is in Dundonald, just outside Belfast. It’s easy to reach from Bangor, Holywood, Newtownards and surrounding areas in Northern Ireland.
Just bring yourselves and your baby! I provide the cake, outfits, props, and everything you need. If you want to bring any special items, or their first birthday outfit, then I’d love to include that too!
Most cake smash sessions last around an hour. We allow plenty of time for your little one to settle, family portraits, cake fun, and splashy tub time without feeling rushed.
Yes! I also offer newborn, sitter sessions, family portraits and more. I’d love to help you capture every stage of your baby’s journey.
