Cake smashes are fast becoming one of the most popular ways to celebrate little ones first birthday.  Babies love messy play and splashing in the bath and these sessions combine both.    Add in this all being capture on camera and you have the perfect memories and treasured photos to mark this big milestone.

Cake smash photoshoots include:

1. Some non messy portraits at the start

2. Cake smash – Cake and set completely personalised for your choice of theme

3. A splash in our minature roll top bath to clean up

A unique and personalised cake smash set

My cake smash sets are all individual and tailored to your choice of colour and theme.   Upon booking i’ll send out a questionnaire to get an idea of the cake smash theme you would like and then i’ll spend some time researching ideas and discussing them with you to pur together something that matches your ideas perfectly.

Once we have decided on a plan i’ll let my baker at Iced rose know and she will create a custom cake to match!   If your little one has food allergies just let me know and Hannah will make sure the cake meets your child’s needs. 

Cake smash theme ideas!

Some families opt for a theme that matches their home decor, others choose something that the child really loves and others opt for a more neutral theme!  Whatever you decide I will make it come to life!    In order to help you plan the perfect set I have put together a gallery of examples of different cake smashes  I have captured in the past!   This list is not conclusive and will be added to regularly so do pop back and take another look for inspiration at a later date if you wish. 

What to chat through your cake smash theme ideas then drop me a message via the form below and we can have a chat. 

As summer approaches and the weather gets warmer finding low cost summer holiday activities for you and your little ones is not easy, especially since schools out and it’s quite likely your going to have a couple of extra little people around the house. 

Finding summer holiday activities to keep your little ones busy and (all importantly) entertained can be a challenge and that‘s why I’ve compiled a list of cost effective, fun and family friendly activities for you to try out this summer. 

Tattershall Farm Park 

As the name suggests Tattershall Farm Park is a family friendly, farm located in Tattershall. With its beautiful animals, its soft play barn and stunning trails this farm is the perfect summer holiday day out for the whole family. 

I would suggest booking your trip to the farm in advance and with a family ticket costing just £25 this is a visit I wouldn’t recommend skipping. Don’t forget to have a go on the bouncy castle whist you’re there, you won’t want to miss it!

The park is open everyday 10am – 5pm between March and October and you can enter up to an hour before closing. Between November and February the park closes at 4pm, but the same rules apply. 

As an added bonus under 2’s go free so even the littlest little people can experience the fun for no added cost. 

 Fineshade Woods

My daughters absolutely adored ‘The Gruffalo’ growing up, it’s a real classic and will always be a family favourite in our home. I’m sure the book is just as iconic now and a perfect summer holiday activity: Fineshade woods offers a wonderful ‘Gruffalo Orienteering Course’ for just £1.50 per leaflet. 

Each set includes a certificate and a map for little ones to follow (maybe with a little help from their parents). The trail is a lot of fun – just ask my girls – and with twelve markers hidden in the woods it is sure to take a good few fun-fuelled hours. 

If the Gruffalo isn’t a family favourite there is far more to explore within the woods – ‘Forest School’ type days are one of the most popular activities on offer as they are both educational and fantastically fun! Since partnering with ‘Tinder Sticks’ Fineshade woods has opened visitors up to a far grander range of family-friendly activities and even a camping session you can book directly from their website. 

There’s nothing better than getting out in nature and I truly believe Fineshade woods is the perfect place for many summer holiday activiites this year. 

The Fun Farm and High Ropes

If you wish to stick a little closer to home, then the fun farm is always a perfect option for your little ones to enjoy a rainy day blowing off steam indoors. 

We’ve been attending the fun farm ever since my daughters were little and I must admit I was a little saddened when they both grew too tall to pay a visit to the soft play centre. 

If you have children a little older the highropes or the laser tag is a great way to keep busy especially since the highropes will take up a large portion of your afternoon. 

Speaking firsthand, the highropes experience is thrilling, and a great way to tackle certain fears. It is also monitored by staff at all times the harnesses used feel very secure – I would absolutely recommend paying them a visit. 

 Kixx Sporting Activities 

This activity is one I just know my daughters would love. Kixx offer a wide range of summer holiday activities for children varying in ages starting at 18 months and ending at 16 years. There is something for every child to enjoy. 

Kixx is a football academy for kids and aims to inspire fun and joy through sport, something I think we can all agree is a great way to keep little ones active throughout the holidays. 

With Stay and Play sessions, Summer camp days and youth sport sessions on offer I think you can agree that you cannot go wrong with a Kixx activity booked in your diary. 

I’ll link the team’s fab facebook page below and be sure to get your little people booked into their activity days whilst there are still spaces available. 

https://www.facebook.com/KixxSouthKesteven/

A Day At The Beach

Anyone who knows me knows I cannot resist a trip to the beach – especially if it’s with my girls and our dogs. Nothing beats spending quality time by the sea with the people you love most and I think you can agree. 

I know beach trips can sometimes add up and so I’ve created some advice on how to keep your visit cost effective.

Take a picnic – Rather than paying out for a seaside chippy I would suggest bringing a picnic along with you: back some sandwiches and some crisps or whatever you fancy into a cooler bag (like this one here) and bring it along to your day out.

Park a little further away and avoid parking fees – This tip may result in complaints from certain little people, but overall will leave you with a far cheaper parking fee at the end of the day and as a bonus it gets your steps in.

Avoid the arcades – I know what you’re thinking, why would I do that? But let’s just say the cost of an arcade adds up. We all know the feeling of losing out on one of those grabby machines and yet for some reason we always attempt them and if we don’t then we know the kids will want to. So my advice is to just avoid the arcades by attending an amusement free beach or keeping the arcades out of sight.

Ferry Meadows – Nene Park

Another firm summer holiday activity favourite with my 2 as they grew up and actually I have fond memories of many happy days from my own childhood, is a trip to Ferry Meadows.  Based on the outskirts of Peterborough it is a fantastic place to visit with so much to do.  There are lakes and woodland walks, boat trips, a choice fo 3 play areas, a minature train ride and a host of organised acitivies throughout the summer, ranging from Pond dipping, bug hunting and their new climbing wall!   Picnic tables and bbq stations are dotted around for your use and a large open field is great for a game of football or kite flying on a windy day.

Check out their website for a map and a full list of facilities.

Update your family photos

The summer holidays is the one time that both parents probably book some time off together to spend with the children, so now is the perfect time to book in and update your family photos.  Pictures are an important record of your family and capturing your family unit as your children grow is something you should consider doing regularly.   And dare I say it, they make perfect chrismtas gifts for grandparents too.

You can find details of my family Photography sessions here.

Those are all of my suggestions for you, from woodlands to beaches. I’m hopeful I’ve managed to find a cheap summer holiday activity to fit everyone‘s taste. 

If you do have a go at any of the above be sure to tag me in your posts on social media and most of all have the best time.

Have you got any other tips and tricks that readers might find useful?  Pop them in the comments below.

Enjoy your summer, 

Marie 

I have been a professional newborn photographer for coming up to 9 years and one question that is asked regularly is about how safe Newborn Photography is? 

Safety in Newborn Photography

Safety is a huge part of what is taught during training for Newborn photography,  Ensuring your Newborn photographer has undertaken quality training is key as there are so many safety factors that play a part during newborn sessions.

Here are some of the safely aspects I consider when working with your precious newborns.

Safe Newborn Posing

My studio has to be very warm to keep your baby sleepy and settled so it’s paramount I keep an eye on your baby.   I am constantly monitoring your baby’s temperature and skin colour for signs that they may be uncomfortable or too warm. 

Sometimes I may ask you to act as a spotter.  Depending on the pose this may mean keeping a hand on your baby or staying very close.  Sometimes the final newborn photos I produce are the result of two images being merged together in photoshop.  Whilst this generates extra editing work it means your baby is completely safe at all times and that is far more important than getting a single image in camera. 

Prop Safety for Newborn Photography

Sometimes images are not what they seem.  For example my popular swing prop!  This does not leave the floor whilst baby is posed!  Photoshop magic in post production creates the illusion  of the swing and water.

Towards the end of your Newborn Photoshoot I will wrap your baby in a swaddle.  Starting with 1 wrap and working up to 2 or 3 layers.   Once I start this process you will see me turning off the heat that I have had directed at your baby and on warm days I may pop a fan on too. 

Once your baby is wrapped I will be keeping a close eye on your baby to ensure they don’t get too warm. Changes in the colour of  their fingers and toes are a great indicator of their comfort. 

I have a range of beautiful buckets, bowls and other lovely props in the studio which I will pose your baby in.  When purchasing these I look to avoid sharp edges and things that may pose a risk to your little one.   Because of this many of the props I use are made by businesses that specialise in newborn photography props.  You will also see me hide padding under blanket around babies head to stop them moving towards edges of things like bowls.   Lots of the props I use may once again require me to call upon you to act as a spotter, particularly if your baby startles easily or is jumpy.  You may also notice me pop a weight bag in the bottom of props like buckets, this is to ensure weight is evenly distributed and the prop is firmly routed to the floor.

Safety in My Photography Studio

As well as constantly monitoring your newborn, I have to consider all aspects of safety within my studio.  For this reason I don’t allow hot drinks in the area where I work, there is bottle water provided for you and all hot drinks must remaining in the seating area. 

Overhead shots are taken with the correct lens to allow me to get the perfect image safely without the need for ladders.

All the props, blankets and wraps that have been used in a session are washed and sanitised before being used again in another session.

Newborn Photography is Perfectly Safe

I hope this blog post has helped reassure you that newborn photography is perfectly safe providing  you choose a professional, trained and experienced newborn photographer.  If you’d like to see footage of me working or what goes into setting up your session you can see more on my social media here.

Tips for Travelling with Babies

With the return of international travel, following the pandemic, and the discounted fights more and more people are opting to go abroad this year. Of course, baby’s first flight is a memorable experience for any parent, even if the risk of baby getting upset is present. 

I hope these tips will make travelling with baby a little easier, especially in the heat. 

Check with your airline & be realistic

Let’s be honest travelling with baby is never easy, my first tip is to be completely realistic and don’t expect an overly easy flight. The fact is your baby will probably struggle on the plane, especially if the flight is long. You should also check with the airline regarding if prams are available at the airport, and whether you can bring a collapsable buggy on the flight with you. 

It’s also super important to decide whether you will be flying with a baby on your lap (often for a discounted prince) or if you will buy a seat for your little one and have the baby in a car seat. Always be sure to check which car seats are best for the baby to fly in. I recommend this post on car seats to make sure you purchase the best one possible for flights. Be sure to double check that your airline allows car seats on the flight!

Be sure to have documents on hand 

It’s so important to have all your documents with you when getting ready to fly. This includes everyone’s passport, travel visas if necessary and of course tickets for the flight. If you are travelling with medication on you, be sure to have prescriptions on hand in case security asks to see them. 

Of course following the last few years PCR tests and proof of vaccinations may be needed depending on where you are flying to or from. 

Luggage 

When travelling with baby it is important, of course, be sure that you do not overpack as it’s vital that your bag is not overweight. All parents know that there is nothing worse than needing to tear into an overweight bag at check-in when you’re with your little one. 

I would be certain to purchase some small luggage scales such as these ones to ensure that you do not go over the weight limit of the luggage. Some airlines allow little ones to have their own luggage and I would recommend checking with the airline before flying. 

If you are bringing a buggy with you on the flight I would recommend investing in a protective bag for it. There is nothing worse than getting off of a plane and fi

Carry on luggage 

On top of your normal carry-ons I recommend also combining a nappy-bag along. Having your bag organised is also a huge plus, that way you know where everything is. 

I suggest using mini-packing cubes to separate everything such as nappies, clothes and bottles. If you’re not breastfeeding bring extra formula, but do check with the airline around if you can carry the water for bottles.

A small travel first aid kit would be a great idea as well. 

Keeping baby happy on the plane

When travelling with baby on a flight where she/he is likely to sleep I would recommend bringing baby in their pyjamas, I would also suggest bringing baby’s favourite toy with you as this will make the area seem comforting and familiar. If your little one uses a dummy it would be wise to bring multiple along with you, as they are easy to lose. I would also suggest purchasing a few dummy clips that will help to stop baby losing their dummy on the ground. 

Some baby’s like aeroplane rides, the rocking motion and the white noise can be incredibly soothing for some little ones. If your lucky baby will sleep the whole ride, however for some babies the plane ride will be tough. Adapting to the new environment will not be easy for some little ones so I recommend trying to keep the same routine. 

Read the same books, sing the same songs and maybe even try to be sure to travel at night as the dimmed lights will help to calm baby. 

If baby is awake the main aim will be to stop little one from crying. I would suggest bringing toys and books to keep baby occupied. The best thing to do is buy some new toys that baby has never seen before as these will keep them entertained for longer. 

I’ve included a few suggestions of toys that you could get for baby that will keep them recommended such as these finger puppets,  fidget cubes and these sensory toys which will keep baby entertained for hours.

Final Tips & Tricks 

I would recommend arriving at the airport a few hours early when travelling with baby, but not too early that you spend hours trying to entertain your little one on the floor of the airport. Check-in queues can often be long and dull – sometimes staff will allow you to check-in at business class if the queue isn’t too long. 

Most airlines will permit checking in baby in a travel buggy or car-seat. 

You may prefer to bring your pram to the door of the plane – if the airline allows this of course. They often attach a label to the buggy as they will place the buggy to the stowaway after you board.

That’s all for my advice on travelling with baby. I hope this tips and tricks help you when it comes to your next trip abroad! 

Have you got any other tips and tricks that readers might find useful?  Pop them in the comments below.

As the summer approaches and the temperature increases it’s getting tougher to keep little ones cool, especially at night. 

I’ve compiled my top 5 tips on how to keep baby cool at night as a way to hopefully help you and your little one to get a better nights sleep during a dreaded heat wave: 

1. Monitoring the temperature 

My first suggestion on how to keep babies cool is to install a thermometer into your baby’s room as a way to monitor how hot it is there. I recommend the Gro-egg thermometer as it helps to measure the room temperature accurately and efficiently.  I use a group-egg in my spalding photography studio to monitor the temperature for newborn photoshoots.   I think this is especially useful when it comes to the UK as the temperature varies so much during the night so be sure to regularly check the reading. 

2. Keeping the room cool 

Additionally, I would recommend keeping the windows open whilst partially closing the blinds or curtains (black out curtains/blinds are a bonus) as this stops the room heating up with sunlight whilst still allowing air flow throughout the room. A perfect mix to help keep baby cool in my opinion. 

I would also suggest a fan to keep cool air circulating around the room, especially if you place bottles of frozen water in fron the fan. This will help to cool the room down quicker. 

3. Dressing baby 

What your baby should wear at bedtime depends on the temperature of the room. 

It is suggested that when the temperature exceeds 27 degrees all your little one should wear (day and night) is a nappy. However, if the temperature of the room is between 24 and 27 degrees baby should wear a short sleeved vest along with a 0.5 tog sleeping bag – such as this one. 

As temperature fluctuates you may need to add or remove more layers – even if this disturbs baby’s sleep. Keeping your baby safe is this priority and so do not hesitate to disturb their rest. 

4. Before bedtime 

Before you put your baby down for the night I would recommend giving them a bath that is cooler than normal as this will help to regulate their body temperature naturally and this will be a great way to keep baby cool. 

It is also suggested that babies may also need to uptake their fluid intake during heatwaves. If your baby is over six months then it is suggested that they can have a few sips of water whilst if your little one is under six months they should not have any water. However they may need increased milk feeds.

5. Extra tips & tricks to help keep baby cool

• Keep baby’s cot away from direct sunlight;

• Try to keep baby calm as frustrated babies get hotter easier;

• keep a cool flannel to hand to dab gently onto baby’s skin as it helps to keep them cool; 

• set up for the whole night, especially if the temperature is going to drop or rise. 

I hope you found my tips for how to keep babies cool at night useful. I know keeping them cold – especially during a heat wave is no easy task so hopefully these tips and tricks gave you some guidance on how to do just that.

Have you got any other tips and tricks that readers might find useful?  Pop them in the comments below.

Afternoon Tea near Spalding

One of my favourite places to eat with my girls is Afternoon tea. We regularly enjoy spending time with them eating sandwiches and scones whilst sharing jokes and making beautiful memories with them. My oldest daughter is especially keen on spending intimate birthday celebrations alongside her family. 

I know finding spots to create these memories and eating wonderful cakes and scones is difficult so I’ve compiled a list of some of the most popular afternoon tea places within the local area and am sharing my all time favourite, go to place to enjoy afternoon tea. 

Afternoon Tea at The Chalkboard

The first place I recommend especially as a mother of a daughter who has a gluten intolerance and a milk allergy is ‘The Chalkboard’ tea room in Peterborough. Everything on the menu is completely customisable with both vegan and gluten free options available it is the perfect place if dietary restrictions or preferences are present in your family. One of the most optimal features of this tea room is the menus available on the website so you know what options you have before you go, leaving no room for disappointment or frustration. I’ve included the link to the website here, I hope you enjoy. 

Afternoon Tea at Something Special

The second tea room I recommend is Something Special in Pinchbeck, as many reviews have said the staff there are so lovely and the place itself has a homely feel. The tea room offers cakes and breakfast boxes as well as sandwiches and tea and coffee which is absolutely delicious and it is all at a great price as well. This particular tea room is incredibly popular so ensure you book in advance to secure seating. There is such a wonderful variety of treats and meals available at Something Special, I definitely recommend. 

Afternoon Tea at Lilli’s Tearoom

My third and final recommendation for you today is Lilli’s Tearoom and Cakery in Deeping, this place is my absolute favourite for afternoon tea. My daughters and I have always loved attending there, ever since it first opened. My eldest has had multiple birthday celebrations there with her closest family and staff are always helpful with accommodating allergies and dietary preferences. 

I cannot recommend Lilli’s enough, it is truly the best for afternoon tea, cakes, tea, coffee and even milkshakes. The kids menu is also highly inclusive as is the variety of milk alternatives and gluten free options available. 

Be sure to pay the wonderful owner Sarah a visit at Lilli’s and indulge in the wonderful cakes and sandwiches she has to offer. 

Do you know of any other fabulous local businesses that are a must visit for Afternoon tea?  If so drop me a message or a comment and let me know. 

Wall art

Wall art is a lovely addition to any home, it fills the room with beautiful memories and smiling faces and creates an overall atmosphere of joy. Not only does it bring all these wonderful feelings, it looks great and makes your children feel great too! How awesome?

Think about it, when your child brings you a photo of something they’ve drawn, you proudly hang it up on the fridge or on a cupboard as a way of saying you love it and you are proud of it.

In your child’s mind this computes to say that, ‘my parents love anything they hang up on the wall’ 

David Krauss, a licensed psychologist tells us that, “It is really important to show a family as a family unit. It is so helpful for children to see themselves as a valued and important part of that family unit.”

He further stated that photos on the wall help children to understand how they fit into the family and it’s story, it makes them feel as though they belong. 

This is especially true if the photo includes other members of the family. Studies show that children’s favourite photos in the home are the ones that include their family – there is no real reason for this, but it is likely due to that feeling of belonging that children love. 

In this age digital photos are becoming the norm, rather than opting to hang up prints or canvases in the home it is found that many keep the photos to themselves or share them with family over social media. It is far less common for family photos filled with grinning children and happy memories to be displayed in the home.

As a photographer, I find this fact quite upsetting as I know from my own experience that my daughters love the photos we have of all of us in the home. My youngest often comments on the photo of her doing a ‘super baby pose’ when she was much younger and that’s become something she finds a lot of joy in.

I wholeheartedly believe that photos should be displayed in the home, not only to create a beautiful atmosphere and fill a space with wonderful memories, but to boost children’s confidence.  It is for this reason that I do not offer digital only purchase options with my main packages.   All purchase options include prints to go with the digital files you purchase. I urge you to frame them and display them around your home!  

A statementl piece of wall art is also a wonderful addition to your family home.  A large family image of everyone together shows unity and love between you all.  Wall art is an investment in your family and will hang on your wall for many many years.  My fairy image of my 2 girls has hung proudly over my fire place for 7 years now and i’m sure it will be there for many many more.  To me the image is priceless and the cost minimal for all the years of enjoyment it has and will continue to give me.

Bluebell woods near me

As unbelievable as it is some days Spring is once again here and the weather’s beginning to get warmer. This time of year has always been my very favourite as the sun is shining and the flowers are blooming – Spring is such a stunning season.

Every year I take my daughters Bluebells woods near me and take photos of them surrounded by those stunning purple flowers. It’s been such an honour to watch them grow over the years. The girls always enjoy the walk to find that spot; it’s surrounded by bluebells.

Bluebells are a protected flower so if you choose to venture into the woods it is really important that you stick to the pathways and do not trample on the flowers themselves.

I understand it can sometimes be difficult to find these beautiful walks so I’ve compiled a list of beautiful bluebell woods near me in and around the Lincolnshire area:

Dole Wood

Dole wood in Bourne is a stunning woodland that is completely free to visit and has beautiful pathways which (between the months of April and July) are sprinkled with stunning bluebells.

I would definitely recommend taking a trip over to Dole wood and seeing the beauty of springtime bluebells.

The address for Dole Wood is as follows:

Obthorpe Lane

Thurlby

Bourne

Nearest postcode: PE10 0ES

Tattershall Carrs

This beautiful woodland is actually made up of two woods, both housing a variety of stunning animals. One of my favourite memories is looking out for birds and wildlife with my daughters during woodland walks.

Undoubtedly, the bluebells are absolutely stunning and the walk makes a perfect day trip. An added bonus? Dogs are allowed to join you on the walk too!

Elsea Woods

My absolute favourite place to walk through the bluebells is Elsea Woods. The walk is filled with beautiful tracks and pathways leading to meadows filled with the most beautiful wildflowers – in the past me and my girls have had picnics, sat in the sun. Not only is it a great family day out, but the walk is likely to wear out little people.

Barnsdale Woods (LE15 8AB)

Barnsdale woods is well known for its woodland walks, which are most beautiful during bluebell season.  Well worth the drive across to Rutland.  The woods can be best accessed by parking at Whitwell car park & following the footpath west towards the woods. Open every day now and is a great walk for your dogs as they can come off their leads here. It is a stunning walk and makes for lots of photo opportunities

Ferry Meadows, Nene Park in Peterborough

Ferry Meadows has its very own Bluebell wood Broadwalk. This 750 metre long stretch of decking is located near the picturesque Bluebell Wood at the northeast side of Ferry Meadows. The route provides great access to the bluebells by the river, as well as taking you closer to the wildlife on, in and around the water itself.   The open ended path, which is marked as the Riverside Walk on the Ferry Meadows Visitor Map, can be accessed from either Milton Ferry or Ham Bridge. Access from Milton Ferry Bridge takes you on a pleasant path along the river and past the willow tunnel. The route from Ham Bridge meanwhile, will take you directly towards Bluebell Wood.

I have yet to find a good Bluebell wood closer to Spalding than those listed above so if you do know of one then please do let me know.

If you, like I did, wish to capture memories of you and your children in the bluebells with a relaxed, family friendly bluebell photoshoot. You can book one of my bluebell mini sessions scheduled for the 8th of May.  These will take place in one of the bluebell woods near me, the exact location is confirmed a week before once I have been able to identify the best spot for the year.   Booking goes live on April 1st and if you join my mailing list via the form below you’ll get priority booking on the 31st March.

I hope to see you there!