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 Penney family experience with Phoebe Berridge Photography

Why was having professional photographs important to you?

Professional photographs was hugely important to me, these moments go by so quickly that you have to capture them when you still can. I will put my hands up and admit I’m not the best photographer and I would have hugely regretted if I hadn’t had professional photographs taken of our daughter when we had the chance to do so. 

Tell us about your experience with Phoebe Berridge Photography? 

Phoebe has a lovely studio space with different back drops and it’s beautifully organised with lots of different outfits and head bands. Phoebe herself is very warm and welcoming and clearly comfortable dealing with babies. Phoebe is incredibly patient and even when you think “oh no my baby is a nightmare, we’ll never get any pictures” - Phoebe has managed to capture some really good ones!

What does it mean to you to have meaningful memories?

It means everything to me to have some meaningful memories in the form of beautiful photographs of our daughter. Having struggled to become parents, we count our blessings to have our one child and we want to remember every little moment forever. 

What do you love about your images?

I love the personality that is captured in the photographs, cheeky smiles and poses. They’re such high quality and we enjoy looking at them on our walls and in our photo album. 

How important for you was it to trust your photographer?

Very important, you’re trusting the photographer with your baby - including newborn babies. Having had photographs taken once, I have been back another two times so far to have further sessions and look forward to the next one. 

What did you trust about Phoebe Berridge Photography?

Phoebe’s warm personality. The professional service including invoicing and booking system.

What would you tell others about Phoebe Berridge Photography?

I’d tell others to get booked in, early! We didn’t get newborn photos done as we had the Bounty photographer in the hospital but I wish we had, and am just thankful that Phoebe has the patience to do sessions for babies between newborn and sitting. It’s well worth the money, the pictures will last a lifetime. 

The Cooper family experience with Phoebe Berridge Photography

Why was having professional photographs important to you?

 Having professional photographs was important to me as they capture so much more than I would be able to myself. It is a special experience to have newborn photos taken.

Tell us about your experience with Phoebe Berridge Photography? 

My experience with Phoebe was amazing. I couldn't fault phoebe and she couldn't do anymore for you. She is amazing at her job and so gentle and trusting with your little one.

What does it mean to you to have meaningful memories?

Having the photos done for me was so I can treasure those memories from when she was newborn and how tiny she was. Also to have perfect pictures around our home.

What do you love about your images?

I love everything about our images. I love how flawless they are but at the same time how natural they look. I love the colours and the fact there is a lot of choice and different set ups for the photos too.

How important for you was it to trust your photographer?

It was especially important to me to be able to trust my photographer because of having my baby premature and being very small, having to leave her in hospital was very hard so i needed somebody I could trust to be able to give my baby over to somebody else again after that.

What did you trust about Phoebe Berridge Photography?

Phoebe was very trustworthy, welcoming and gentle. She is a natural with babies and she took her time. She didn't rush the process. She enjoyed having cuddles with baby rather than just doing pictures and that be the experience over.

What would you tell others about Phoebe Berridge Photography?

I am constantly recommending phoebe berridge photography to my friends/family when they ask who did our newborn photos. Word of mouth goes a long way.

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!