First Birthday Photos Without a Cake Smash | Meet My 1st Birthday Sessions

Your baby's first birthday is a pretty big milestone.

Somehow, the tiny newborn you brought home feels like they were here five minutes ago and suddenly you're planning their first birthday.

For lots of families, a Cake Smash is the perfect way to celebrate. They're fun, messy and full of personality and I absolutely love photographing them.

But what if a Cake Smash just isn't really you?

Maybe you'd prefer something simpler and more timeless, without the cake, balloons and mess. Something that focuses completely on your little one and the personality they've developed over their first year.

That's exactly why I've introduced My 1st Birthday Sessions at Phoebe Berridge Photography.

They're not quite a baby anymore…

…but they're not quite a toddler either.

And that's what makes turning one such a lovely age to photograph.

By their first birthday, so much of their personality has appeared. The expressions you instantly recognise, clapping, pointing, waving, crawling at approximately 100mph — and maybe even those first wobbly steps.

A My 1st Birthday Session isn't just about documenting the fact they're turning one.

It's about capturing who they are at one.

A first birthday photoshoot without the cake

My 1st Birthday Sessions are a portrait-led alternative to a traditional Cake Smash.

There's no real cake required. Instead, we'll create a small selection of simple, timeless setups that keep the focus on your little one.

We'll follow their lead throughout the session too.

If they're sitting, we'll photograph them sitting. If they're proudly standing, we'll capture it. And if they've recently discovered walking and have absolutely no intention of staying where I put them… I'll follow them. 😂

There's no milestone checklist they need to have completed before they come. We're simply photographing your baby exactly as they are right now.

Cake Smash or My 1st Birthday?

Don't worry —Cake Smashes aren't going anywhere!

My 1st Birthday Sessions simply give you another option for celebrating the same milestone.

Cake Smash Sessions are fun, messy and playful, with portraits, the cake smash itself and a splash afterwards.

My 1st Birthday Sessions are simpler and more portrait-led, with timeless styling and the focus firmly on your baby.

Neither is better it's simply about choosing which feels most like you and your family.

What should they wear?

Simple outfits photograph beautifully for these sessions.

Think neutral colours, soft textures, knitted rompers, dungarees, simple dresses, bloomers and little cardigans.

You don't necessarily need to buy something new either. An outfit you already love seeing them in can make the photographs even more meaningful when you look back at them.

And you won't be left to work it all out yourself we'll discuss styling before your session.

Parents and siblings can also be included, because although we're celebrating your baby's first birthday, some of the loveliest photographs are often the ones that show their relationship with the people they love most.

Why photograph their first birthday?

If you had newborn photographs, take a second to think about just how different that tiny baby is now.

In twelve months they've gone from sleepy newborn cuddles to smiles, giggles, movement and a whole personality of their own.

It's one of the biggest periods of change they'll ever go through.

The birthday decorations will come down, the presents will eventually disappear into the toy box and the party will probably pass in a slightly chaotic blur.

But the photographs are the bit you get to keep.

My 1st Birthday Photography in Bedfordshire

My 1st Birthday Sessions take place at my home studio in Ickwell, Bedfordshire, welcoming families from Bedfordshire and the surrounding Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire areas.

I'm currently running an introductory offer on My 1st Birthday Sessions from September–December 2026, so if your little one's first birthday is coming up, now is a lovely time to book.

Whether you're looking for an alternative to a traditional Cake Smash or simply want some beautiful portraits to remember exactly who they were at one, I'd love to welcome you into the studio.

And if you're firmly Team Cake Smash?

Don't worry. I've still got the cake ready. 🎂

Phoebe x

Phoebe Berridge Photography
Newborn, baby, maternity & family photographer
Ickwell, Bedfordshire

The Thompson family experience with Phoebe Berridge Photography

I first met the Thompson family in 2016 when they had their first child. It has been a pleasure to capture both their little ones and follow their journey. I look forward to seeing them early next year for a cake smash session.

Why was having professional photographs important to you?

Children grow up way too fast & they change so quickly, so I wanted to capture their current personality in photos!

Tell us about your experience with Phoebe Berridge Photography? 

Phoebe was brilliant, so calm around the children & understands the difficulties in getting them to have photos on demand. 

What does it mean to you to have meaningful memories?

Photo memories are super important & stay with you forever! I want to look back and remember exactly how my children were cheeky & didn’t really want a photo but somehow ended up looking innocent and gorgeous! 

What do you love about your images?

 I love how you captured their personality’s, cheeky little faces and the love they have for each other. 

How important for you was it to trust your photographer?

Trust is key with photographers especially at a time where social distancing is still in place, Phoebe was professional and everything was cleaned to the inch of its life. While we were in the session I honestly forgot there was even a virus in the world. 

What did you trust about Phoebe Berridge Photography?

Knowing how good Phoebe is with newborn babies gave me great confidence, she is kind hearted and it shows in her work, attitude and feelings towards the children. 

What would you tell others about Phoebe Berridge Photography?

I would say 100% go see Phoebe - she cares for your children exactly how you would want them to be cared for, has the patience of a saint and knows how to get the children to interact in the correct ways!

The Northwood Family experience with Phoebe Berridge Photography

Why was having professional photographs important to you?

I feel professional photos have a unique touch to them, they mean so much more knowing every little feature is captured and can stay with you to cherish forever. The quality of the photos are incredible compared to any I can take on my phone.

Tell us about your experience with Phoebe Berridge Photography? 

Amazing from start to finish. Excellent communication, professional throughout, friendly and trustworthy. All images weve had have been absolutely perfect. Phoebe was brilliant at creating the image in my head with adding fruit to the milk bath session and was full of ideas to help make it happen the way we wanted. 

What does it mean to you to have meaningful memories?

Meaningful memories is important to me, especially with babies and children they grow so quickly. Its so easy to forget how small they were, and how there personality has changed. Having pictures captures that and it brings back the memories.

What do you love about your images?

Absolutely loved our milk bath images, the colours, the innocence and capturing her explore, even the photos show a glimpse of her personality while she was playing with the milk and fruit, they were just perfect.

  How important for you was it to trust your photographer?

It's definitely important to trust your photographer. To ensure your child is safe, that the water isnt too hot, they're not going to fall, get too hot or too cold, to make sure they comfortable and happy. Phoebe did an amazing job at all the above and more. 

What did you trust about Phoebe Berridge Photography?

Phoebe has always been so friendly and bubbly around my kids, her instinct on when little one needed a break, on how to make her smile. I trusted that the images would be perfect after the shoots weve had before with Phoebe Berridge photography

What would you tell others about Phoebe Berridge Photography?

I would a million percent recommend Phoebe to others. If your thinking about it, do it. Her work is amazing!

The Sizer/Turner family experience with Phoebe Berridge Photography

Why was having professional photographs important to you?

Because I honestly think I’ll only have one baby, so needed to capture it all, beginning to end- which I did through your amazing photography. 

Tell us about your experience with Phoebe Berridge Photography? 

Outstanding from start to finish, my baby girl was tiny and I stressed about anyone holding her. But she was such a pro and professional put me and Dolly at ease. 

What does it mean to you to have meaningful memories?

Everything, she’s changing so fast I needed to capture her beautiful new born stage and be able to share them with family.

What do you love about your images?

The happiness that radiates through Dolly, she was so at ease and handled with love. 

How important for you was it to trust your photographer?

With such a small baby, my doubts were put to rest when phoebe explained her skills and courses she had been on. 

What did you trust about Phoebe Berridge Photography?

Her abilities to capture the moment perfectly, from seeing her other work. 

What would you tell others about Phoebe Berridge Photography?

Of her outstanding skills in photography, and how enjoyable the whole experience was.

Why to book a baby's first photo-shoot?

Watching your baby grow is such an incredible experience. But it happens so quickly. It probably feels like just yesterday you found out you were carrying this bundle of joy. There is so much to organize before baby arrives and sometimes photographs aren’t on that list of things to remember.

Having newborn photographs there is such a short window for this most photographers including myself will only do them within the first 14 days of birth. As this is when baby is most sleepy, calm and relaxed.

Which is why in 2018 we introduced my baby’s first photo-shoot ideal for all babies 5 weeks to 12 months old. Meaning you never need to worry it’s to late to capture beautiful images of your baby. 

Each of our my baby’s first photo-shoot sessions are different, this comes down to their age and what baby is able to do. But none the less they are all still amazing and leave with beautiful images which is my true aim.

Your baby will change every day from the moment they are born, cherish every second of that and capture it as often as possible with images you can share with them later in life and look back on for the rest of yours. It’s a beautiful thing watching your baby grow, change and laugh.

So if you’ve missed out on newborn images or you haven’t yet got round to book your baby in for images do so today and I promise you wont be disappointed.