Often, when parents book another session for their baby’s first birthday, they wonder what would be an appropriate manner to celebrate and to record their baby’s new milestone. I love simple portraits, because babies have so much personality that they don’t need anything else. But one of my good friend over in the US who is an amazing newborn and baby photographer introduced me to cake smashes and I realise how much fun baby could have during her first birthday photo session.

All of my cake smash sessions are bespoke. I always discuss a theme or colour with parents in advance of the session so we can tailor it to the family’s tastes, wishes or story. When Harper’s mum contacted me, she told me that Harper was a Rainbow Baby.  Rainbow Babies, if you’ve never heard the expression before, is a way to describe a baby being born after a miscarriage, still birth or infant loss. The term refers to the fact that a rainbow appears only after the rain. In this case, the “rain” or “storm” is the grief of losing a child. A rainbow doesn’t negate the effects of the storm, but does bring light to the dark and is a symbol of hope.

Marina Feldman – Bath Bristol Newborn Photographer

My fabulous baker Sarah got on the case to make us a wonderful rainbow cake and I got thinking about how I could incorporate a rainbow theme in the set up. I wanted the rain and the storm to be part of the set up whilst still keeping it fun and bright. The idea of the clouds and heart shaped rainbow droplets came to me.

Marina Feldman – Bath Bristol Cake Smash Photographer

Those who know me will tell you that I am not the most crafty person but I’m proud to say that I hand made the whole set up myself. I was pretty please with it, until the night prior to the cake smash and my 6 year old pointing out that there was no purple in my rainbow colours. Trust children to notice these things 😉

Marina Feldman – Bath Bristol Newborn Photographer

Harper absolutely loved her Bath cake smash photo session. The minute I handed her the spoon she knew what she had to do, and she absolutely loved the icing!

Marina Feldman – Bath Bristol Cake Smash Photographer

Marina Feldman – Bath Bristol Newborn Photographer

Marina Feldman – Bath Bristol Newborn Photographer

Marina Feldman – Bath Bristol Newborn Photographer

Marina Feldman – Bath Bristol Newborn Photographer

Marina Feldman – Bath Bristol Cake Smash Photographer

Marina Feldman – Bath Bristol Cake Smash Photographer

Marina Feldman – Bath Bristol Cake Smash Photographer

Marina Feldman – Bath Bristol Cake Smash Photographer

Marina Feldman – Bath Bristol Newborn Photographer

Cake smashes can be messy and baby wipes struggle with cleaning icing off babies. This is why, as part of my cake smashes session is bath time. In this adorable prop bath, baby can not only splash and have fun whilst I capture some more smiles, but she is getting all cleaned at the same time!

Marina Feldman – Bath Bristol Cake Smash Photographer

Marina Feldman – Bath Bristol Cake Smash Photographer

Whilst I would normally start with the portrait session, Harper went straight for the cake so we did her portraits right at the end. Happy birthday Harper!

Marina Feldman – Bath Bristol Newborn Photographer

Marina Feldman – Bath Bristol Cake Smash Photographer

It’s never too early to book your newborn photography session. Most mums to be contact me at the beginning of the second trimester to ensure their place is reserved in order to capture those cute, sleepy newborn poses during the first couple of weeks of them being born.

Marina Feldman is Bath newborn baby photographer based and covers Bath, Somerset and covers Bath, Bristol and the South West of England.