Cake Smash Photography Orpington | Ashleigh Shea Photography

The Messiest Session We Do — And Absolutely Worth Every Crumb

I'll be honest with you: cake smash sessions are my favourite kind of chaos.

There's something about watching a one-year-old encounter a cake for the very first time — the confusion, the cautious first touch, the absolute moment they realise this is both allowed and delicious — that never gets old. I've photographed hundreds of cake smashes here in Orpington and across the Bromley area, and every single one makes me smile.

If you're planning your baby's first birthday and wondering whether a cake smash session is worth it — it is. Here's everything you need to know.

What actually happens at a cake smash session?

We start clean. Honestly, that bit is important — the contrast is half the magic. Your baby comes in looking gorgeous in their birthday outfit, and we capture those sweet, posed portraits first while they're still pristine and cooperative.

Then the cake arrives.

From that point, I can promise you nothing and guarantee everything will be perfect. Some babies dive straight in with both fists. Some prod it suspiciously for a good five minutes. Some cry, some laugh, some do both simultaneously. Whatever happens, it's real, it's theirs, and it makes for the most wonderful photographs.

We finish with a bubble bath splash — a lovely, playful palate cleanser that gives us some of the most joyful images of the whole session.

What do I need to bring?

Not much — that's the beauty of it. I take care of the cake (bespoke to your chosen theme or colours), the setup, the decorations and the backdrop. You bring your baby, a change of clothes for afterwards, and maybe a snack for the journey home.

If you have a theme in mind — a colour, a character, a vibe — just let me know when you book and I'll make it happen. We've done everything from classic pastel florals to dinosaurs to full-on disco pink, and I'm always up for something new.

When should I book?

Ideally four to six weeks before your little one's birthday, to make sure we get the date you want. Sessions fill up quickly around popular birthday months, so if you're thinking about it — don't leave it too long.

The Orpington studio is easy to reach from across the Bromley borough, including Bromley, Chislehurst, Petts Wood, Beckenham and the surrounding areas.

First birthdays only come once

That's the thing, isn't it. They're only one for a year — and only one for the first time once. Cake smash photography in Orpington is one of the loveliest ways I know to mark it.

Come and make a mess with us.

Book your cake smash session here