Xander’s Football Cake Smash: This Little Guy Came to PLAY!

A football-themed first birthday, one giant cake, and a little guy who absolutely understood the assignment!

If there’s one thing we learned during Xander’s first birthday session, it’s that this little guy takes his cake very seriously! Between the football theme, the big birthday cake, and the frosting-covered smiles, this session was an absolute touchdown from beginning to end.

Xander came into the studio ready to celebrate his first birthday, and we were ready for all the fun! His football-themed session was the perfect fit, but the real star of the show was the cake. Once we set that beauty in front of him, there was no holding back.

A Football Cake Smash With All the Messy Fun

Have you ever seen a baby go after a birthday cake like it's the championship game? Because Xander absolutely understood the assignment!

He loved having that big cake all to himself. And when I say he loved it, I mean he went ALL IN. He demolished that cake, dove in face-first more than once, and managed to get frosting just about everywhere. I honestly don't think I've ever seen a little one get quite so enthusiastic about cake!

Of course, we wouldn't have had it any other way.

Between bites, Xander even gave us a few adorable smiles. Those little moments between the frosting-covered hands and enthusiastic cake attacks made the session even sweeter. His personality was shining through every photograph, and it was so much fun watching him enjoy every second of his big birthday celebration.

That's one of my favorite things about cake smash photography. You can plan the theme, choose the cake, and get everything ready, but you never know exactly how your little one will react. Some babies are cautious with their first taste. Others need a little encouragement. And then there's Xander, who clearly came prepared to win!

Why First Birthday Photos Are So Special

How is it possible that an entire year goes by so quickly?

It feels like just yesterday you were welcoming your tiny newborn into the world. Now, that same little person is growing, discovering new things, showing off their personality, and getting ready to celebrate their very first birthday.

Your baby's first year is filled with so many incredible milestones. From those early newborn days to the first smiles, growing curiosity, and emerging personality, there is so much worth remembering.

First birthday photography gives you a chance to pause and preserve this exciting stage before the next one begins. These portraits aren't just about celebrating another birthday. They're about remembering who your baby was at ONE.

And let's be honest: a cake smash adds a whole lot of personality to those memories!

Whether your little one loves digging into the frosting or needs a little time to warm up to the cake, every session brings something unique. The best photographs often come from letting babies explore, play, and be themselves.

Planning a Cake Smash Session in Peoria, IL?

If your little one is getting ready to celebrate their first birthday, a cake smash session is a fun way to mark the occasion.

At Pat Hermann Photography, we love creating baby milestone portraits that capture each child's personality. From themed setups to those wonderfully messy cake smash moments, the goal is to create photographs your family will love looking back on for years to come.

Thinking about a football theme like Xander's? Or maybe you have another favorite color, character, or idea in mind. Your baby's first birthday is the perfect excuse to make the celebration personal!

A little planning helps bring your vision together, but the magic happens when your baby takes center stage.

Happy First Birthday, Xander!

Happy birthday, Xander! We can't believe you're already ONE!

It has been such a pleasure photographing you throughout your first year. Watching you grow and capturing these special milestones has been such a joy, and your football cake smash was the perfect way to celebrate this big occasion.

You definitely brought your A-game to this session, little man. The cake never stood a chance!

Here's to a wonderful first birthday and many more exciting milestones ahead!

Sweet sleepy smiles, adorable bear outfits, and a moon bowl setup made Killian’s newborn session one to remember!

Some newborn sessions are just extra special, and little Killian’s session was full of those sweet moments that make newborn photography so rewarding!

Handsome Killian came into the studio ready for his close-up. He had the sweetest little face, a perfect head of hair, and the most adorable sleepy expressions. He was such a good sleeper for his session, too! And the best surprise? He even gave me a few little feeding smiles!

Catching those tiny smiles on camera is one of the best feelings ever. They happen in a blink, which makes capturing them even more special for parents to look back on as their babies grow.

Adorable Bear Outfits and a Sweet Moon Bowl Setup

Mom knew exactly what she loved for Killian’s session! She was all about the adorable bear outfits and hats, and we also included our popular moon bowl setup. These little details were such a perfect fit for him!

I love working with families to create newborn portraits that reflect the things they love most. From cozy outfits to carefully styled setups, every detail helps make a session feel special. And when you have a little guy as sweet as Killian, it doesn't take much to create photographs that parents will treasure for years to come.

Newborns change so quickly during those first few weeks. Their tiny features, sleepy stretches, and little expressions are fleeting, which is why professional newborn photography is such a wonderful way to preserve this stage.

Documenting Baby’s First Year With Our Baby Plan

The best part? Killian is also participating in our baby plan, so I’ll get to see him several more times throughout his first year!

All of our newborn photography clients have the option to participate in our baby plan. It gives families the opportunity to document their little one's growth with multiple sessions throughout the year, ending with a super-fun cake smash session.

Babies change so much between their newborn days and their first birthday. Before you know it, that tiny sleepy newborn is smiling, sitting up, showing off a growing personality, and getting ready to celebrate a very big milestone!

A baby plan is a wonderful way to preserve those changes along the way. Instead of having just newborn portraits, you'll have a collection of memories that tells the story of your baby's first year.

If you're expecting or have recently welcomed a little one, I'd love to help you plan a newborn photography session and discuss options for capturing those precious milestones.

Welcome to the World, Killian!

It was such a treat to photograph this handsome little guy! From his sweet sleepy face to those precious feeding smiles, his session was full of moments worth remembering.

Welcome to the world, Killian! I can't wait to see you again as you grow throughout your first year.

Tayte's 3 Month Session | Baby Photography in Peoria, IL

From two weeks to three months, Tayte has already changed so much! His latest milestone session shows just how quickly babies grow during their first year.

I can't believe it's already time for Tayte's 3-month baby photography session!

Tayte is part of our Baby Plan, and it feels like just yesterday that I was photographing him as a tiny 2-week-old newborn. Seeing him again at three months was such a fun reminder of just how much babies can change in such a short amount of time.

Seriously... the difference between 2 weeks and 3 months is incredible!

From Newborn to 3 Months

At three months, babies are in such an interesting stage. They're no longer newborns, but they're not quite into the super-active stage yet either.

They're starting to become much more alert and expressive. They're looking around, interacting with the people around them, and really beginning to show those little personalities that make them uniquely themselves.

And yet, they're still so tiny!

That's what makes 3-month milestone photography so special. It's a completely different stage from the newborn session, and it's one that goes by incredibly quickly.

Tayte has already changed so much since I saw him at just two weeks old, and I love that we get to document those changes along the way.

Babies Change So Quickly During the First Year

If there's one thing parents hear over and over, it's that babies grow too fast.

And it's true!

The first year is packed with so many changes. Your tiny newborn begins smiling, holding their head up, sitting, crawling, standing, and eventually celebrating that huge first birthday.

It can be difficult to realize just how quickly those changes happen when you're living through them day by day. That's why professional baby photography is such a wonderful way to preserve each stage.

When you look back at photographs from three months, six months, nine months, and one year, you can actually see the incredible transformation.

Why the Grow With Me Package Is Perfect for Baby's First Year

This is exactly why our Grow With Me package is perfect for documenting your baby's first year.

Instead of trying to squeeze all those milestones into a single session, we get to photograph your baby at several stages throughout their first year.

Each session captures something completely different.

The newborn session preserves those tiny, sleepy first days. The 3-month session captures those early expressions and growing personality. Then comes the exciting 6-month milestone, followed by more changes as your baby gets older and eventually reaches that big first birthday.

It's amazing to look back and see all those stages together.

And I'll admit, there's another selfish reason I love the Baby Plan...

I get to see these adorable little babies several times throughout their first year!

Getting to watch them grow from tiny newborns into little people with big personalities is one of my favorite parts of being a baby photographer.

Looking Forward to Tayte's 6-Month Session

I'm already looking forward to seeing Tayte again for his big 6-month session!

By then, I know he'll have changed even more. He'll likely be more expressive, more interactive, and ready to show off even more of that personality we've already started to see.

I can't wait to see just how much this little guy has grown.

Happy 3 months, Tayte! Thank you for another fun session, and I'll see you again soon!

If you're looking for a Peoria, IL baby photographer to document your baby's first year, Pat Hermann Photography's Grow With Me package provides a wonderful way to preserve these important milestones. From newborn portraits through your baby's first birthday, each session tells another part of your child's first-year story.

Baby Emily was an absolute angel during her newborn session, from her peaceful sleep to the sweetest sibling portraits with her big brother.

Baby Emily was an absolute angel for her newborn session!

She slept the entire time and barely made a peep. She clearly loved being pampered, cuddled, and loved on, which made her newborn session such a dream. When a baby is this happy and content, it gives us plenty of time to create a beautiful variety of portraits while capturing all those tiny details that make the newborn stage so special.

And Mom came prepared with a really fun color palette!

A Beautiful Color Palette for Baby Girl

Mom requested rainbow, yellow, dark purple, and grey, and what a fun combination it turned out to be!

I loved incorporating these colors throughout Emily's newborn portraits. The combination was playful and colorful while still creating beautiful images that kept the focus on sweet baby Emily.

I always enjoy when parents bring their own ideas and preferences to a session. Those little details help make each newborn session different and give us an opportunity to create photographs that feel personal to the family.

Sweet Sibling Photos With Big Brother

Of course, we couldn't let Emily's big brother miss out on the fun!

He joined us for a few photographs with his new baby sister, and these may just be some of my favorite images from the entire session.

At only two years old, getting a little one to sit still for photographs can definitely be a challenge. Anyone who has tried to photograph a toddler knows that they have their own plans! Luckily, big brother loved sitting on the bed with his baby sister, and we were able to capture some incredibly sweet sibling moments.

Getting those sibling shots always feels like a little victory—and they are so worth it.

Why Sibling Photos Are So Important

When parents bring a newborn into the studio, we aren't just photographing the new baby. We're documenting the beginning of a brand-new relationship between siblings.

Emily's big brother may not fully understand how much his world has changed yet, but these photographs will become a beautiful part of their family history.

Years from now, Mom and Dad will be able to look back at these images and remember how tiny Emily was, how little her brother was, and what it looked like when they first became a family of four.

And let's be honest—sibling portraits are almost always some of Mom and Dad's favorites!

There's just something about seeing your children together that makes a photograph so much more meaningful.

Preserving Those First Newborn Days

The newborn stage passes so quickly. Those tiny fingers, sleepy faces, delicate features, and little curled-up poses won't stay the same for long.

That's why professional newborn photography in Peoria, IL is about more than simply taking pictures of a new baby. It's about preserving the details and relationships that define those first few weeks.

Emily's session gave us the opportunity to capture her sweet personality, her beautiful little features, and those precious first moments with her big brother. These are the photographs her family will look back on as she grows, remembering exactly how tiny she was and how excited everyone was to welcome her home.

A Perfect Newborn Session

From her peaceful sleep to her colorful setups and those adorable sibling portraits, Emily's session was such a wonderful one to photograph. She truly was an absolute dream baby, and I loved getting to spend the day pampering her and capturing these special memories for her family. Thank you to Emily's family for trusting me to document such an important time.

I can't wait to see you all again and see how much these two little ones have grown! If you're looking for a Peoria, IL newborn photographer, Pat Hermann Photography specializes in personalized newborn sessions designed around your family. From beautiful color palettes and individual newborn portraits to sibling and family photographs, each session is created to preserve the moments you'll want to remember for years to come.

After a long-awaited arrival, Baby Drayce's newborn session celebrated his first days and the incredible love his parents already have for their perfect baby boy.

I was so excited to finally meet Baby Drayce for his newborn session!

His mommy and daddy had been waiting a long time to meet him, and now they finally had their perfect baby boy in their arms. Getting to photograph a little one who has been so eagerly anticipated makes a newborn session feel even more special.

Drayce was such a great little poser for me. He settled in beautifully and gave us so many sweet opportunities to capture all those tiny newborn details that change far too quickly.

A Sweet Baby Who Loved Being Swaddled

While Drayce was happy to pose for his portraits, there was one thing he definitely loved most—being swaddled!

Once he was wrapped up snug and cozy, he was one happy little guy. There is something about those perfectly wrapped newborns that makes you want to soak up every tiny detail. His little face peeking out from his swaddle was simply adorable.

These early days with a newborn are so fleeting. The tiny fingers, sleepy expressions, little lips, and curled-up poses will change before you know it. That's one of the reasons newborn photography in Peoria, IL is so meaningful. It gives families a way to preserve these details while their baby is still brand new.

Incorporating Your Story Into Newborn Photography

One of my favorite parts of Drayce's session was incorporating a special piece of his family's journey into one of their images.

Mom wanted to incorporate her IVF journey into a photograph, and I absolutely loved the idea. Newborn portraits don't always have to be about the traditional poses and setups. Sometimes the most meaningful images are the ones that tell the story of how your baby came into your family.

For Drayce's parents, his arrival represents so much more than simply becoming parents. His photograph can serve as a beautiful reminder of the journey that brought them to this moment and the incredible love they already have for their son.

That personal connection is what makes custom newborn photography so special.

Photographing the Tiny Details

During a newborn session, I love taking the time to capture all of the little things you'll want to remember.

Those tiny fingers.

Those little toes.

His sweet newborn expressions.

The way he curls up when he's comfortable.

And, of course, those adorable moments when he's wrapped up and completely content.

Right now, it can feel like you'll remember every single detail. But babies grow incredibly quickly. Those tiny features will change, and before long, you'll be looking back at photographs wondering how your baby was ever that small.

Professional newborn portraits allow you to hold onto those memories.

A Long-Awaited Baby Boy

Drayce's session was such a beautiful way to celebrate his arrival and the beginning of this new chapter for his family.

After waiting so long for him, his mommy and daddy finally get to hold their perfect baby boy—and it was an absolute honor to document those first precious days.

Thank you, Drayce, for the amazing session. You were such a sweet little model, and it was wonderful getting to capture these memories for your family.

You are so loved, little guy.

If you're searching for a Peoria, IL newborn photographer, Pat Hermann Photography creates personalized newborn sessions that capture both the tiny details and the meaningful story behind your baby's arrival. Whether you want classic newborn portraits or images that incorporate something special about your family's journey, your session can be designed to be uniquely yours.