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.

Zelda's first birthday cake smash was a little bit magical, a whole lot of fun, and completely customized around one very special family favorite.

There is something so special about photographing a baby throughout their first year and then reaching that big one-year milestone. It feels like just yesterday they were tiny enough to curl up in your arms, and suddenly they're standing, smiling, exploring, and celebrating their very first birthday!

Zelda has been part of the Baby Plan at Pat Hermann Photography, and I honestly can't believe it was already time for her big one-year cake smash session. Watching my Baby Plan families grow throughout the year is one of my favorite parts of what I do. Each session captures another little piece of their personality, and by the time we reach that first birthday, it is so much fun to see just how much they've changed.

And for Zelda's first birthday, we had the perfect theme.

Legend of Zelda!

Mom is a huge Legend of Zelda fan, which gives you a pretty good hint about where this sweet girl's name came from. 😉 I have been a big fan myself since childhood, so needless to say, I was VERY excited about this session!

Creating a One-of-a-Kind Cake Smash Session

One of my favorite things about baby photography is that a session doesn't have to look like anyone else's. Your baby has their own personality, your family has its own interests, and those details can become part of the photographs.

For Zelda's first birthday photography session, we created custom sets inspired by the Legend of Zelda theme. Every detail was planned specifically for her, making the session feel personal rather than like a standard cake smash setup.

And I think we absolutely nailed it!

Creating one-of-a-kind sets for my clients is one of the most fulfilling parts of being a photographer. I love taking an idea that is meaningful to a family and turning it into something they can actually see and enjoy in their photographs.

Pat Hermann Photography offers fully customized cake smash sessions, so families can choose a theme that fits their child, whether that's a favorite character, hobby, sport, color palette, or something completely unique.

Celebrating One Year of Baby's Firsts

The first year goes by unbelievably fast.

During those twelve months, your baby changes from a sleepy newborn into a little person with a personality all their own. There are first smiles, first laughs, sitting up, crawling, standing, and eventually that exciting first birthday.

That's why I love the Baby Plan. Instead of trying to capture everything in one session, we get to document your baby's growth along the way.

By the time we reach the one-year cake smash, we've already watched them grow through several important stages. The final session becomes more than just a birthday portrait session. It becomes the celebration at the end of an entire first-year story.

Zelda's Big Birthday Celebration

Zelda did amazing, as always, and she looked like an absolute little princess throughout her session.

Of course, the cake smash itself was a big part of the fun, but the custom sets gave us so many opportunities to capture her personality and create photographs that her family will look back on years from now.

These are the kinds of images that become more meaningful as children grow.

Someday, Zelda won't remember her first birthday or the details of this particular celebration. But her family will have these photographs to show her. They'll be able to tell her about the little girl she was at one year old, the things her family loved, and the special thought that went into celebrating her first birthday.

That's what makes this kind of baby photography in Peoria, IL so meaningful to me.

Why I Love Creating Custom Baby Photography

I never want a session to feel like we're simply checking a box and taking a few pictures.

I want to create something that belongs to your family.

Maybe your child has a favorite book. Maybe you're obsessed with a particular movie or video game. Maybe your little one loves dinosaurs, trucks, flowers, sports, or something completely unexpected. Those little details are what make your family yours, and they can make a portrait session so much more memorable.

When I create a custom set, I think about all of those details. I want the final images to feel intentional, creative, and personal.

Most importantly, I want you to look at them years from now and immediately remember this exact stage of your child's life.

A First Birthday You'll Always Remember

Zelda's session was such a fun one to create, and I'm so thankful to her family for trusting me with such a special milestone.

From her Baby Plan sessions throughout the year to her custom first birthday cake smash, it has been so much fun watching this sweet girl grow.

Happy birthday, big girl!

I can't believe you're already one!

And yes, I'm already looking forward to seeing what comes next.

If you're looking for a Peoria, IL baby photographer to document your child's first year, Pat Hermann Photography offers milestone and cake smash photography with custom styling designed around your family. First birthday sessions can be customized to create a truly one-of-a-kind experience and portraits you'll treasure for years to come.

From serious little expressions to sweet smiles, Sabrina's 9-month milestone session was full of personality—and a reminder of just how quickly the first year flies by.

There is something so special about watching babies grow throughout their first year, and Sabrina's 9-month milestone session was another wonderful reminder of just how quickly time passes. It feels like just yesterday we were celebrating her earlier milestones, and now she's already sitting confidently, showing off her adorable personality, and getting ready for the final stretch before her first birthday.

As part of our Baby Plan, I've had the privilege of seeing Sabrina and her family several times over the past year. One of the best parts of these sessions is getting to watch each baby's unique personality begin to shine. Every visit is a little different, and every stage brings something new to capture.

For this session, Sabrina decided she was going to keep things serious for a while. She gave me those big, thoughtful eyes and perfectly posed expressions that honestly looked like she'd been practicing for a modeling portfolio. She had the "smolder" mastered from the moment we started!

Of course, I wasn't giving up that easily. After a little patience, a few silly noises, and probably looking just a bit ridiculous behind the camera, she finally rewarded me with a handful of beautiful smiles. Those moments are always worth the effort because they're completely genuine—and they're the expressions parents love to remember.

Nine months is such a fun age to photograph. Babies are usually sitting independently, full of curiosity, and their personalities are becoming more obvious every day. Whether they're all smiles, full of serious concentration, or somewhere in between, every expression tells part of their story.

It was also wonderful seeing Sabrina's family again. One of my favorite parts of the Baby Plan is building relationships with families throughout their baby's first year. Watching these little ones grow while getting to know their parents makes every session feel personal, and it's incredibly rewarding to document these memories as they unfold.

Now, the countdown is officially on for Sabrina's one-year milestone session. It's hard to believe we're already almost there! I know she'll have changed so much by then, and I can't wait to celebrate such a big milestone with her and her family.

Happy 9 months, sweet Sabrina! Thank you for keeping me on my toes, making me work for those smiles, and reminding everyone that serious faces can be just as adorable.

If you're looking for 9-month milestone photography in Peoria, IL, or you're interested in documenting your baby's entire first year, the Baby Plan at Pat Hermann Photography is a wonderful way to preserve every stage before it becomes a memory. The first year truly goes by in the blink of an eye, and these milestones are worth remembering forever.

Newborn sessions are always so special, and sweet little Kyndal’s session was one to remember. At just 2 weeks old, she was an absolute dream to photograph.

Kyndal came in with the fullest, darkest head of hair and the cutest little lips—it didn’t take long for everyone in the studio to fall in love. She was incredibly calm and such a great sleeper, which made her session flow so smoothly. While she snoozed away, we were able to capture a beautiful variety of setups and looks, giving her gallery so much softness and variety.

It’s always amazing when a newborn settles in so comfortably, and Kyndal truly seemed right at home. She was already a natural little model, making it easy to create those timeless, peaceful images that parents love to look back on.

Kyndal is also part of our baby plan, which means we’ll have the joy of seeing her grow throughout her first year. These plans are one of our most popular options—and for good reason. They allow families to beautifully document each stage, from those sleepy newborn days all the way to their first birthday.

We’re already looking forward to seeing Kyndal again and capturing all the milestones ahead!

Beautiful Juniper came into the studio ready to rock her newborn session — and she absolutely did! From the moment she arrived at Pat Hermann Photography, she was an absolute dream to photograph. With the best chubby cheeks and a full head of dark hair, she is truly such a stunning baby girl.

Juniper was such a good little sleeper for me, settling into each pose so peacefully. And as if that wasn’t enough, she even gifted us a few sweet newborn smiles! Capturing those tiny smiles on camera is one of the best feelings ever. They’re fleeting, magical little moments that parents will treasure forever.

Every newborn session is designed to highlight just how tiny and perfect your baby is in those first few weeks. The soft details, delicate features, and cozy poses all come together to create timeless portraits that freeze this stage in time. Babies are only this little for such a short while, which makes documenting these days so incredibly important.

I’m especially excited that Juniper is part of our Baby Plan! That means I’ll get to see her several more times throughout her first year as she grows and changes. Our Baby Plan includes multiple milestone sessions, ending with a super fun cake smash celebration. It’s such a wonderful way to document your baby’s first year — from sleepy newborn snuggles to sitting, crawling, standing, and that big first birthday celebration.

Welcome to the world, sweet Juniper. You are so very loved, and I can’t wait to watch you grow this year! 💕