If you've ever scrolled past a dreamy, petal-filled bath photo of a baby or toddler and thought "I need that" — this post is for you. 🌸 I’m so excited to announce that milk bath photography is now available as an add-on to our Milestone and Cake Smash sessions here at Red Balloons Photography. And honestly? It might just become your new favourite thing.
What Is a Milk Bath Session?
A milk bath session is exactly what it sounds like — a beautiful, styled bath filled with diluted white milk (don’t worry, it’s just a tiny splash for that gorgeous creamy effect!) and adorned with flowers, petals, fruit, greenery, or seasonal props. The result is soft, ethereal imagery that feels almost painterly. These sessions are gentle, playful, and incredibly magical. Babies and toddlers are naturally curious in water, which means you get authentic expressions — giggles, splashing, wide-eyed wonder — all captured in the most beautiful setting.
Why Add a Milk Bath to Your Milestone or Cake Smash Session?
Here’s the thing: your little one is already dressed up, already in a great headspace (hopefully post-nap and well-fed! 😄), and the studio is already set up. Adding a milk bath at the end of your session is a seamless way to get a completely different feel of images in the same visit. Think of it as two looks, one session. 💛
· Cake Smash sessions: Let them go wild with the cake, then rinse off in style. The milk bath cleanup is the perfect storybook ending — and the images tell the most complete story of the day. Some of my absolute favourite galleries have the cake smash images followed by the milk bath — it’s like a little narrative arc. Wild joy → soft serenity. I’m obsessed. 💗
What to Expect During a Milk Bath Session
Fun Milk Bath Themes to Inspire You
One of the best parts about milk bath sessions is how beautifully they can be customized. Here are some of my favourite theme ideas:
🌸 Garden in Bloom Soft pink, white, and lavender blooms scattered across the surface. Rose petals, ranunculus, baby’s breath. Perfect for spring babies or any little one with a floral-themed birthday party.
🍋 Lemon Squeeze Lemon slices, white florals, and eucalyptus. Bright, cheerful, and incredibly fresh-looking. This one photographs so beautifully and feels like pure sunshine.
🎂 Birthday Girl / Birthday Boy Florals in their party colours, a little birthday crown, maybe even a few sprinkles floating on the surface. The ultimate celebration look after their cake smash.
🦋 Wildflower Meadow Mixed wildflowers, dried botanicals, and greenery for a bohemian, free-spirited feel. Gorgeous for nature-loving families or outdoor-inspired nurseries.
🌙 Midnight Garden Deep purple, navy, or burgundy petals with white accents. Moody, dramatic, and absolutely stunning. Perfect for little ones born in fall or winter.
🍓 Berry Sweet Strawberries, raspberries, and soft pink petals — a playful, edible-looking theme that works beautifully for summer birthday sessions. (And yes, babies will try to eat the strawberries. It’s adorable. I let them. 😂)
🤍 Soft & Simple For families who love a clean, timeless look — just soft white petals and a few greenery stems. The focus stays entirely on your baby. Simple, elegant, forever classic.
🎃 Pumpkin Patch (Seasonal – Fall) Mini pumpkins, autumn leaves, and warm-toned florals floating around your little one. A cozy fall twist perfect for October and November birthdays.
❄️ Winter Wonderland (Seasonal – Holiday) White blooms, silver or iridescent elements, and a soft wintery feel. Beautiful for December babies or holiday milestone sessions.
🌺 Tropical Escape Hibiscus, monstera leaves, bright florals, and citrus slices. A fun, vibrant theme that’s bursting with personality — perfect for summer birthdays.
How to Add a Milk Bath to Your Session
Milk bath add-ons are $99 and include a 15-minute session with all props provided — tub, milk, florals, fruit, and any seasonal touches we've planned together. You'll receive 5 beautifully edited digital images with your full print release, capturing all that soft, dreamy magic. 🌸
If you're already booked for a Milestone or Cake Smash session, just let me know when we connect before your session and we'll get it added in! If you're planning ahead, simply mention it when you book and I'll make sure we have everything ready for your little one's big day. 💛Ready to add the magic? Book Your Session →
