Somehow, twelve months have passed…
Your baby’s first birthday is one of those milestones you’ll never want to forget. A whole year of first smiles, tiny giggles, sleepy cuddles and unforgettable memories has led to this special day.
Now it’s time to celebrate with a fun Cake Smash & First Birthday Session that captures every curious expression and wonderfully messy giggle.
At Life Is Beautiful Photography, your First Birthday Session is thoughtfully planned around your little one, capturing their personality and creating photographs that preserve this special milestone for years to come.
Whether your toddler dives straight into their birthday cake or prefers to investigate every crumb first, every session is unique – celebrating exactly who they are at this wonderful age.
Somehow, twelve months have passed…
Your baby’s first birthday is one of those milestones you’ll never want to forget. A whole year of first smiles, tiny giggles, sleepy cuddles and unforgettable memories has led to this special day.
Now it’s time to celebrate with a fun Cake Smash & First Birthday Session that captures every curious expression and wonderfully messy giggle.
At Life Is Beautiful Photography, your First Birthday Session is thoughtfully planned around your little one, capturing their personality and creating photographs that preserve this special milestone for years to come.
Whether your toddler dives straight into their birthday cake or prefers to investigate every crumb first, every session is unique – celebrating exactly who they are at this wonderful age.
15+ years’ photography experience
100's of pregnancies, newborns and families photographed
Specialist maternity posing training
Specialist newborn posing training
Award-winning photographer
Professional maternity gowns
Twins Welcome
100% 5 star google reviews
Safe studio environment
Baby-led sessions
The first year has a way of passing faster than you ever imagined. Somewhere between the sleepless nights, the first smiles, the moments you never wanted to forget, tiny fingers picking up their first pieces of food, the routines you slowly built together and the little changes happening before your eyes…somehow, twelve months have passed.
Before you know it, the tiny newborn you brought home is blowing out their very first birthday candle.
A First Birthday Photography Session captures the curiosity, character and little expressions that make this stage so unforgettable. From beautiful birthday portraits to sticky fingers, cheeky grins and plenty of laughter, these photographs become treasured memories you’ll enjoy looking back on long after the cake has disappeared.
After a year of planning, preparing and caring for your little one, their first birthday should be a moment you can simply enjoy. There’s very little for you to organise.
Your session includes:
Simply bring your little one and enjoy the experience.
Cake smash sessions are usually photographed around the time of your baby’s birthday. If you’d love to share your photographs on the actual day of their birthday, I recommend booking your session around 4 – 6 weeks beforehand. Otherwise, we can arrange your session at a time that works best for you around this stage.
Before your appointment, we’ll chat about your preferred colours and styling ideas to create a setup that’s perfect for your little one.
Choose from an array of background colours, balloon garlands or bunting to create a beautiful setup that complements your chosen colour palette.
Every session includes a handmade birthday cake from my trusted supplier. If your child has any allergies or dietary requirements, simply let me know when booking.
We’ll begin with classic birthday portraits before introducing the cake. This gives us time to create timeless birthday portraits before everything becomes wonderfully messy. Parents and siblings are welcome to join in too.
Now comes everyone’s favourite part. Whether your little one eagerly dives into the cake, cautiously pokes the icing or decides they’d rather play with a balloon than eat, every reaction is worth remembering.
Some babies make a spectacular mess, some hardly touch the cake.
Both create beautiful memories, and I’ll capture the smiles, the laughter and the little reactions that make their session completely unique.
Around 1 – 2 weeks after your session, you’ll be invited back to the studio for your viewing appointment.
This is often my favourite part of the whole experience, watching parents laugh, smile and relive every little moment as their gallery appears on the big screen. Take your time, enjoy every image and we’ll chat through the portrait collections and wall art options that would look beautiful in your home.
These photographs capture your little one at such a special age, full of curiosity, character and those little expressions you know and love. A beautiful way to remember their first birthday and the happiness that surrounded this special milestone.
Before Their Story Turns the Page…
Their first birthday marks the end of one beautiful chapter and the beginning of another.
Let’s preserve the smiles, the laughter and every wonderfully messy moment before they race off into toddlerhood.
Because one day these photographs won’t simply remind you what they looked like.
They’ll remind you exactly who they were, exactly how it felt to hold them at this age, and just how much life changed in the space of one extraordinary year.
A non-refundable Creative Fee of £99 secures your Cake Smash Session and is deducted from the collection you choose after viewing your gallery.
It includes:
Please note: Your £99 Creative Fee does not include digital images, prints or wall art. These are purchased separately at your viewing appointment.
Choosing your collection is something you can decide after seeing your photographs at the viewing stage. Take your time, enjoy your gallery and select the option that feels right for you.
Looking for ideas?
Browse the galleries below for inspiration and discover different colour schemes, styling ideas and setups before choosing the look that feels perfect for your little one’s celebration.
Every child approaches their Cake Smash differently and that’s exactly what makes every gallery unique.
Your baby’s first birthday deserves more than a quick snapshot. It deserves to be remembered in a way that celebrates who they are today and everything this extraordinary first year has been. Through timeless photographs that capture their personality and preserve this remarkable milestone, you’ll have memories your family will treasure for years to come.
15+ Years of Experience
Creating relaxed, enjoyable photography experiences for babies and families.
A Calm, Child-Led Approach
Every session works around your little one, allowing plenty of time for cuddles and breaks whenever needed.
Beautiful Styling
Timeless backgrounds, carefully selected props and setups designed to keep the focus on your child.
Transparent Pricing
No hidden costs and no pressure – Take all the time you need viewing your gallery before deciding on the collection that’s right for you.
Quality That Lasts
Beautifully crafted photographs and heirloom artwork designed to be enjoyed for generations.
These aren’t simply photographs.
They’re memories of one of your family’s happiest milestones.
You can read more about me on the Meet Your Photographer page.
Cake Smash Sessions can be booked around your baby’s first birthday, whether you’d like to capture this special milestone before or shortly after their big day. If you’re hoping to use the photographs for birthday invitations, party decorations or celebration displays, I’d suggest booking around 4 – 6 weeks beforehand to allow plenty of time for planning, printing and organising everything.
Yes. Every Cake Smash Session includes a handmade birthday cake from my trusted supplier, and you’ll be able to take it home with you afterwards. Although it may look a little different after their cake smash adventure, it’s still perfectly delicious for the family to enjoy!
Gluten free and egg free options are available, and I’m happy to discuss any dietary requirements before your session. Please let me know when booking so suitable arrangements can be made for the cake and your little one.
You’re welcome to choose from the outfits in my studio collection or bring something special from home that reflects their personality. We’ll chat through styling ideas before your session and create a look that feels perfect for them.
Absolutely. We begin with birthday portraits, and parents and siblings are welcome to join for a few special family photographs before the cake smash begins.
Not every baby loves getting messy, and that’s perfectly Ok. Some dive straight in, some carefully explore every crumb and some are much more interested in the balloons or decorations. There’s no right or wrong way to enjoy a Cake Smash Session, and I’ll capture all those wonderful little reactions along the way.
If you have a special cake in mind, please feel free to chat with me before your session. Otherwise, your handmade birthday cake from my trusted supplier is included as part of your Cake Smash Experience, ready for all the exploring, squishing and celebrating.
I don’t offer splash sessions after Cake Smash Sessions, as I prefer to focus on creating a beautiful collection of first birthday photographs rather than extending the session into another activity. This allows us to capture the portraits, personality and cake smash moments that make this milestone so memorable.
Around 1 to 2 weeks afterwards, you’ll return to the studio for your viewing appointment. This is your chance to relax, enjoy your finished images on the big screen and choose the collection that feels right for your family.
If there’s anything you’d like to ask before booking, I’d love to hear from you.
Whether you’re wondering about availability, what to expect or how to prepare for your session, I’m always happy to help.
Your baby’s first birthday is a once-in-a-lifetime milestone.
Let’s capture the laughter, the sticky fingers, the cheeky smiles and all the little moments you’ll wish you could relive one day.
I’d love to welcome you to my Little Bealings studio and create beautiful photographs your family will treasure for years to come.
Choose a gift certificate in the value that suits you, allowing the recipient to put it towards the cake smash photography experience or collection that’s right for them. Presented as a download and easy to redeem, it’s a meaningful gift that helps preserve this moment in time.
My welcoming studio in Little Bealings is easily accessible for families looking for Cake Smash and First Birthday Photography in Ipswich and across Suffolk.
I regularly welcome families from:
Ipswich, Woodbridge, Kesgrave, Martlesham, Felixstowe, Framlingham, Stowmarket, Hadleigh, Needham Market, Eye, Debenham, Saxmundham, Bury St Edmunds, Colchester, Diss, Sudbury, and other areas across Suffolk.
If you’re looking for a trusted Cake Smash Photographer in Ipswich, 1st Birthday Photography in Suffolk, or a fun, relaxed photography experience near Little Bealings, I’d love to welcome you and your family.
My welcoming studio in Little Bealings is easily accessible for families looking for Cake Smash and First Birthday Photography in Ipswich and across Suffolk.
I regularly welcome families from:
Ipswich, Woodbridge, Kesgrave, Martlesham, Felixstowe, Framlingham, Stowmarket, Hadleigh, Needham Market, Eye, Debenham, Saxmundham, Bury St Edmunds, Colchester, Diss, Sudbury, and other areas across Suffolk.
If you’re looking for a trusted Cake Smash Photographer in Ipswich, 1st Birthday Photography in Suffolk, or a fun, relaxed photography experience near Little Bealings, I’d love to welcome you and your family.
Their first birthday marks the end of one beautiful chapter and the beginning of another.
Let’s preserve the smiles, the laughter and every wonderfully messy moment before they race off into toddlerhood.
Because one day these photographs won’t simply remind you what they looked like.
They’ll remind you exactly who they were, exactly how it felt to hold them at this age, and just how much life changed in the space of one extraordinary year.
Complete the enquiry form below to book your newborn session and begin your photographic journey with Life Is Beautiful Photography.
You will automatically be subscribed to Life Is Beautiful Photography’s Newsletter.
You can unsubscribe at any time. We hate spam as much as you do.
Newborn Photographer of the Year 2026 – Georgina Paunovic
During the awards process they invited over 90,000 businesses and corporate professionals, magazine contributors and their subscribers to nominate companies & individuals based on factors such as quality of service, innovation, experience, sustainability and other areas.
Additionally, their research team has put forward a selection of firms which they felt are deserving of recognition.
Newborn Photographer of the Year 2024/25 – Georgina Paunovic
During the awards process they invited over 90,000 businesses and corporate professionals, magazine contributors and their subscribers to nominate companies & individuals based on factors such as quality of service, innovation, experience, sustainability and other areas.
Additionally, their research team has put forward a selection of firms which they felt are deserving of recognition.
Winner of the Best Newborn Photographer – Ipswich
The Quality Business Awards recognises businesses that achieve an average quality score of 95% or greater over the previous 12 months.
Maternity & Newborn Photographer of the year 2023
The UK Enterprise Awards celebrates small and medium sized enterprises consisting of localised businesses.
Maternity Photographer of the year 2023
The Prestige Awards celebrates small and medium sized enterprises consisting of localised businesses.
Honourable mention in the Baby & Sitter category at the Babies & Photographers Association Awards 2022
Babies & Photographers Association is an online community of photographers from all around the world.
The BPA Photo Awards Jury includes the world’s best photographers, educators and speakers. The jury will evaluate your photos according to the following criteria:
Honourable mention in the Family category at the Babies & Photographers Association Awards 2022
Babies & Photographers Association is an online community of photographers from all around the world.
The BPA Photo Awards Jury includes the world’s best photographers, educators and speakers. The jury will evaluate your photos according to the following criteria:
