Kat and Baby Maverick: From Cake Smash Star to Proud Big Sister

When Kat got in touch as one of my monthly newborn competition winners, her name sounded really familiar.

It soon clicked. She’d been a client a few years back, when she came to my home studio on the Derbyshire/Staffordshire border for a cake smash session to celebrate her little girl’s first birthday. Suddenly it all came flooding back.

The star of the cake smash

Her little girl is still one of the best cake smash babies I’ve ever photographed in the studio. She was absolutely full of character and joy, grabbing handfuls of cake, face-planting it, and giving us those wonderful belly laughs that only one-year-olds can do. She was the star of the show!

If you’re ever on the fence about celebrating your baby’s first birthday this way, a cake smash is a truly wonderful way to capture that milestone.

A proud big sister and a dapper little chap

Fast forward to last week, and Kat came back to my home studio, travelling over from her new home in Derby. I knew as soon as she walked through the door it was going to be a lovely shoot, because the proud big sister had come along to show off their gorgeous baby boy.

They arrived with their hair beautifully curled and wearing the cutest matching mum and daughter outfits. And baby Maverick? Well, he was an absolutely dapper little chap.

Honest chats about parenting

During the shoot we played, had lots of fun, and also took some time to chat about parenting and really reflect on Kat’s journey as a mum.

My studio is a private, relaxed space, and I love that I can chat with my clients about every part of parenting.

When you have a baby, it can feel like everyone becomes an expert, with their own opinions, ideas and suggestions. But do you know what? Yes, it’s great to have a village, but I’m also a firm believer in doing what’s right for you and your baby.

I’m always up for a wonderful, honest conversation about parenting, especially after raising three little boys of my own. But honestly, you do you. Aren’t we all just winging it a little anyway?

A new photographer in the making

After three hours of baby whispering, gently wrapping and posing her baby brother, big sister had been watching me very closely. And she decided it was time for her to take over!

She dressed the studio dolly in my outfits, positioned it just so, grabbed the toy camera from the studio toy box and snap, snap, like a pro. She practically nudged me out of the way to get her shot!

Memories that don’t stay on the camera roll

A week later, Kat came back to the studio with her own mum to view the gallery. She knew just how precious these photographs were, not only for the baby whispering magic with her new little boy, but because she got to be in the photos with both of her children too.

Unsurprisingly, she loved the gallery so much she bought every image, so now it’s time for me to order her keepsake accordion mini book and prints. Because who wants their memories stuck on a camera roll anyway?

If you’re thinking about a newborn shoot, try to book in before your baby arrives. I only photograph one session a day, so spaces go quickly. You’ll find all my packages and prices on my newborn session page, or just drop me a message.