Cake Smash Photoshoot Edinburgh: What to Expect

Q: How far in advance should I schedule?

Ideally, as soon as you know you want to do this, especially if you are aiming for a specific time of year, a milestone, or a particular day of the week. As a simple guide, around 2 to 4 weeks’ notice is ideal. Family and pet experiences tend to fill up fastest from Thursday to Saturday, while newborn and boudoir sessions are usually available Tuesday to Thursday. If you are unsure what you need, we will help you plan the best timing.

Q: Where does the experience take place, and do you come to us?

Most experiences take place in our studio near Edinburgh and East Lothian. For families and dogs, we can also use a woodland location close to the studio for something more outdoorsy and relaxed. We will help you choose the setting that best suits your family, your pet and the type of portraits you would love.

Q: What makes GWS Photography different?

Our portrait experiences are fully guided and designed to feel relaxed, natural and enjoyable. We do not expect clients to know how to pose or what to do. We guide the session so the portraits feel like you, not a stiff or forced version of you.

Q: How do we schedule a Discovery Call?

You can schedule a Discovery Call using the short form on the website. It is a quick, no-pressure chat to make sure the experience feels like the right fit. You can also phone the studio directly on 07930 166715.

Q: What happens during the Discovery Call?

We talk through what you would love, what you are unsure about, who will be involved, and what would make the session feel easy and enjoyable. We also cover location, timing, availability and any questions you have before booking.

Q: Which days do you photograph families, newborns, pets and boudoir?

Newborn baby and boudoir experiences are usually available Tuesday to Thursday. Family and pet experiences are usually available Thursday to Saturday. We keep the diary structured so each type of session gets the right time, energy and support.

Q: Do you photograph dogs and cats, and can they be included with the whole family?

Yes. Dogs and cats are very welcome, and they can be photographed on their own or with the whole family. Sessions are planned around your pet’s personality, energy and comfort, so they do not need to be perfectly trained for this to work.

Q: Is this experience suitable if we are not a picture-perfect family?

Yes. Our sessions are designed for real families, not perfect ones. If the kids are lively, someone feels self-conscious, or your dog is a bit chaotic, that is completely normal. We guide the session so it feels relaxed and genuine.

Q: We are interested in newborn photos. Who will be photographing our baby?

Leanne, our specialist baby photographer, photographs newborn sessions. She has worked with hundreds of babies and has completed baby first aid training, so your baby will be handled calmly, gently and safely throughout the experience.

Q: Is it safe to bring our baby for a newborn experience?

Yes. Newborn safety is always the priority. Sessions are slow, gentle and led by your baby’s needs. We allow time for feeding, settling and cuddles, and we guide parents through everything before and during the session.

October 20, 2026

What Happens During a Cake Smash Photoshoot in Edinburgh
What’s Included in a Cake Smash Photoshoot
What to Wear for a Cake Smash Photoshoot
- Outfits That Work Best for Babies
- What Parents and Siblings Should Wear
Cake Smash Photoshoot Ideas to Make It Personal
How Long Does a Cake Smash Photoshoot Take?
A Cake Smash Photoshoot With Siblings, Partners and Even the Dog
Booking Your Cake Smash Photoshoot
Conclusion
Frequently Asked Questions

Last Updated: 17 October 2026

What Happens During a Cake Smash Photoshoot in Edinburgh

A cake smash photoshoot is a studio session where a baby turns one, is given a decorated cake, and is photographed exploring, squashing and tasting it. At GWS Photography, we run these sessions in our East Lothian studio just outside Edinburgh, and the format is simple: the cake goes down, the baby takes over, and we photograph whatever happens next.

Nothing is staged. Some babies dive in with both hands. Others poke the icing for ten minutes before committing. Both make brilliant photographs.

Here is the usual rhythm of a session:

A few clean portraits first, while outfits and hair are still intact
The cake is brought out and the mess begins
A warm bubble bath finishes the session, with the clean-up built into the shoot

That last part matters more than most parents expect. You leave with a clean, happy baby rather than a car seat full of buttercream.

Baby covered in icing sitting by a decorated cake during a colourful cake smash photoshoot in an Edinburgh studio.

What’s Included in a Cake Smash Photoshoot

Every cake smash photoshoot we run includes the cake, the balloons, the studio set, family photographs and the bubble bath clean-up. You bring the baby and a change of clothes. We handle the rest.

Pricing for a cake smash photoshoot starts at £395. What that covers, and the finished products available afterwards, is set out on our cake smash page. If you want to know exactly what a session includes before you commit, that page is the place to check.

What to Wear for a Cake Smash Photoshoot

Wear something you do not mind getting icing on, and bring a spare outfit for the baby. That is the short answer. The longer answer depends on who is in front of the camera.

Outfits That Work Best for Babies

Simple wins. A plain vest, a nappy cover, or a small romper in a solid colour photographs well and does not compete with the cake. Avoid anything with a busy print or a slogan across the front, because it dates quickly and pulls attention away from the face.

Bring two options if you can. One outfit for the clean portraits at the start, one for the smash itself. A tiny party hat or a bow is plenty of styling. You do not need a full costume.

What Parents and Siblings Should Wear

Parents and siblings are in the photographs, so dress for a family portrait rather than a cleaning job. Plain, tonal clothing in soft neutrals or muted colours works best against our studio backdrops. Avoid matching outfits head to toe, which looks dated in photographs. Coordinating tones read better than identical shirts.

Jeans and a clean jumper are fine. The one thing to skip is anything you would be upset to find icing on.

Pro TipBring a spare top for yourself, not just for the baby. In our experience, the adult holding the baby at the end of the smash is usually wearing more cake than the baby is.

Cake Smash Photoshoot Ideas to Make It Personal

The best cake smash photoshoot ideas come from your own family rather than a props cupboard. A few that work well:

A colour theme pulled from the nursery or a favourite outfit
A pet cameo, with the dog or cat brought in for a few frames
A family outfit nod, such as everyone in denim or everyone in white
A meaningful prop, like a blanket knitted by a grandparent
A sibling moment, where big brother or sister helps with the cake

What most guides miss is that the personal touches do not need to be elaborate. A single item that means something to your family will photograph better than a room full of rented props.

How Long Does a Cake Smash Photoshoot Take?

A cake smash photoshoot typically takes around one to two hours from arrival to leaving. The smash itself is often over in fifteen minutes. The rest of the time is spent settling in, taking clean portraits, bringing in family members, and running the bubble bath.

We do not work to a timer. Babies set the pace, and a baby who needs a feed, a cuddle or a nap gets one. That is why we build in breathing room rather than booking sessions back to back.

Expect the session to feel unhurried. If your baby is having a brilliant time with the cake, we keep going. If they are done, we move on to the bath.

Key TakeawayThe cake smash is the shortest part of the session. Most of the photographs you will love come from the moments around it: the first taste, the look on a sibling’s face, and the bath at the end.

A Cake Smash Photoshoot With Siblings, Partners and Even the Dog

Siblings, partners and pets are all welcome at a cake smash photoshoot, and in our experience they make it better. A one-year-old alone in front of a camera is lovely. A one-year-old with a big sister stealing icing off the side of the cake is a photograph you will keep on the wall.

We are set up for this. Our studio handles young children who will not sit still, larger family groups, and family pets in the same session. Dogs and cats are a speciality of ours, so a dog who wants to be in every frame is not a problem. Neither is a dog who wants to be nowhere near the cake.

A common mistake is leaving siblings at home to keep things calm. In practice, the calm version is often the less interesting one. Bring them.

Watch OutIf you are bringing the dog, tell us when you book. We plan the session around animals, and knowing in advance means we can set up the room so the dog is comfortable rather than startled by balloons.

Booking Your Cake Smash Photoshoot

Book a cake smash photoshoot for around your baby’s first birthday, ideally four to six weeks ahead if you want a specific date. First birthdays cluster, and weekend slots go first. A weekday session is usually easier to secure at short notice. Securing your preferred slot early ensures a stress-free experience as you begin planning for future celebrations and explore various milestone birthday party ideas.

Before you book, decide three things: who is coming, what colours you want, and whether you want the dog in the photographs. Those three answers shape the whole session, and having them ready makes the booking conversation quick.

Our studio is a short drive from Edinburgh, East Lothian and Midlothian, and we have been photographing babies and families since 2010. If you are unsure whether your baby will cooperate, that is the most common worry we hear. A one-year-old does not need to perform. They just need to be themselves, and the cake does the rest.

Conclusion

A cake smash photoshoot is less about a perfect photograph and more about capturing a genuinely funny, messy hour of your baby’s first year. The cake, balloons, family photographs and bubble bath are all part of it, and siblings, partners and pets are welcome throughout. If you are planning a first birthday, book early, bring spare clothes, and let the mess happen.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is included in a cake smash photoshoot?

A cake smash session typically includes family photos alongside the cake smash itself, a cake for your baby & balloons, and a bubble bath clean-up afterwards so your little one leaves clean and happy. Sessions are photographed by an experienced baby photographer in a relaxed studio setting, with siblings, partners and even the family dog welcome to join. Pricing for a cake smash photoshoot starts at £395, so check the studio’s website for current package details and availability.

How long does a cake smash photoshoot take?

Most cake smash photoshoots run for around an hour to ninety minutes, though the exact duration depends on how your baby settles and how much time is needed for family photos, the smash itself and the bubble bath clean-up. A relaxed pace matters more than a strict timer, so babies who need a feed, a cuddle or a break are given the time they need. Ask your photographer about timing when you book so you can plan feeds and naps around the session.

Can siblings and parents join a cake smash photoshoot?

Yes. Family photos are part of the session, so siblings, partners and even the dog can join in. A cake smash photoshoot with siblings works well when the older child has their own moment in front of the camera before or after the baby’s smash, which keeps things calm and avoids anyone feeling left out. Let your photographer know who is coming when you book so the session is planned around your family.

What should my baby wear for a cake smash photoshoot?

Choose an outfit you do not mind getting icing on, or bring a spare change of clothes. Simple styles in soft, plain colours photograph well and keep the focus on your baby’s face. Many parents bring a second outfit for the family photos before the smash begins. Avoid anything too fussy or scratchy, and bring a favourite comforter so your baby feels settled in the studio.