Nina-Rae’s Cake Smash
First Birthday Cake Smash Dinas Powys – Nina-Rae’s Pink & Gold Celebration
First Birthday Cake Smash Dinas Powys – what better way to celebrate turning one than with a beautiful pink and gold birthday photoshoot?
I recently had the pleasure of welcoming gorgeous little Nina-Rae to my Shutter Hire photography studio in Dinas Powys, Vale of Glamorgan, for her first birthday cake smash.
With fluffy white clouds, delicate gold stars, pretty pink decorations and the most beautiful birthday cake, Nina-Rae’s session was full of adorable expressions, curiosity and a little bit of cake-covered chaos!
And can we just take a moment to appreciate those gorgeous curls? 💕
A Dreamy Pink and Gold Cake Smash Theme
For Nina-Rae’s first birthday photoshoot, we went for a soft, dreamy theme featuring white clouds, gold stars and delicate pastel pink decorations.
The backdrop created a beautiful, light and airy setting, while the pink and white birthday cake complemented the colours perfectly.
I love how this particular setup photographs. The neutral tones keep everything looking timeless, while the gold stars and pink accents add just the right amount of birthday magic.
Nina-Rae arrived looking absolutely adorable in her floral dress, which worked beautifully with the backdrop.
Before introducing the cake, we captured some lovely portraits of her standing beside her birthday cake, giving us a chance to document those gorgeous little expressions before the messy fun began.
If you’re planning your own baby’s first birthday, take a look at my Cake Smash Photoshoot Ideas Guide for more inspiration on choosing colours, themes and decorations.
Beautiful First Birthday Portraits Before the Cake Smash
One of my favourite parts of any cake smash session is capturing those lovely clean portraits before the cake gets demolished!
At one year old, babies are developing their own personalities, and it’s wonderful to capture their expressions and curiosity at this stage.
Nina-Rae gave us some gorgeous photographs in her floral dress, surrounded by fluffy clouds and twinkling gold stars.
We also captured some lovely portraits of her wearing a little pink birthday crown and a white outfit featuring the word ‘one’ in gold lettering.
These photographs are perfect for birthday invitations, framed prints and keepsakes for grandparents.
Every baby is different, which is why my cake smash sessions are relaxed and child-led. There’s no pressure to smile or pose perfectly – sometimes the most beautiful photographs come from those little moments of curiosity.
If you’ve never booked a session before, my guide on What to Expect at a Cake Smash Photoshoot explains how everything works.
Let the Cake Smashing Begin!
Once we’d captured Nina-Rae’s birthday portraits, it was time for the main event – the cake!
Her beautiful pink and white cake was the perfect finishing touch to the setup, and she was soon investigating what all the excitement was about.
Armed with a wooden spoon and plenty of curiosity, Nina-Rae explored her cake in her own adorable way.
One of the things I love most about cake smash photography is that you never quite know how a little one will react.
Some babies dive straight in and demolish the cake within minutes, while others prefer to carefully investigate the icing before deciding whether they want to get messy.
Nina-Rae gave us some wonderfully curious expressions, and by the end, her beautiful cake had definitely seen better days!
Those little icing-covered fingers, serious expressions and moments of discovery are exactly what make first birthday photographs so special.
And if you’re worried your baby might not want to smash their cake, don’t be! I’ve written a helpful blog about What Happens If Your Baby Doesn’t Smash the Cake.
Why I Love Photographing First Birthdays in Dinas Powys
Your baby’s first birthday is such an incredible milestone.
In just twelve months, they’ve gone from a tiny newborn to a little person with their own personality, expressions and interests.
A cake smash photoshoot is a wonderful way to celebrate everything they’ve achieved during that first year.
My dedicated photography studio in Dinas Powys, Vale of Glamorgan, provides a comfortable, welcoming environment where little ones can explore, play and enjoy their birthday experience at their own pace.
I regularly welcome families from Cardiff, Penarth, Barry, Sully and across the Vale of Glamorgan.
Having a dedicated studio also means everything can be prepared before you arrive, from the themed backdrop and props to the birthday cake and outfits, depending on your chosen package.
No two cake smash sessions are ever quite the same, and that’s what makes them so enjoyable to photograph.
More Cake Smash Inspiration from Shutter Hire
If you’re planning your baby’s first birthday photoshoot, you might enjoy seeing some of the other beautiful cake smash sessions I’ve photographed at my Dinas Powys studio.
Elisa’s First Birthday Cake Smash – A lovely example of a real cake smash session, from those first birthday portraits through to the messy cake and bubble bath photographs.
Malik’s Baby Boy Cake Smash – A fun first birthday celebration showing how different themes and colours can create a completely different look.
You can also explore my Shutter Hire Photography Blog for more real client sessions, photography inspiration and helpful advice.
Planning a First Birthday Cake Smash in Dinas Powys?
If your little one is approaching their first birthday, I’d love to help you create a beautiful set of photographs to celebrate.
At Shutter Hire, I offer a range of cake smash experiences, from simple birthday sessions to packages featuring a birthday cake, themed outfits, props and a splash bath to finish.
With over 26 themed backdrops available, there’s plenty of choice whether you love soft pastels, colourful birthday celebrations or something a little different.
My studio is conveniently located in Dinas Powys, near Cardiff, and welcomes families from across South Wales.
I recommend booking your session in advance, especially if you’d like your finished photographs ready in time for your baby’s birthday.
You can find full details of my packages, pricing and availability on my Cake Smash Photography Cardiff page.
Happy First Birthday, Nina-Rae! 💕
It was such a pleasure capturing Nina-Rae’s first birthday celebration.
From her gorgeous curls and little princess crown to those wonderfully curious expressions as she explored her cake, this was such a lovely session to photograph.
Thank you to Nina-Rae’s family for choosing Shutter Hire to capture such a special milestone.
These are the little moments that deserve to be remembered.
If you’re planning your own baby’s first birthday, I’d love to welcome you to my studio in Dinas Powys and help create some beautiful memories of your own.













