Your baby is turning one. How did that happen so fast?
And just like that, your baby’s first birthday is more than a dream idea on your Pinterest. It marks twelve months of growth, long days, lots of giggles, and tiny milestones you never want to forget. Even more importantly, it celebrates one year of you being a Mama!
If you are a Texas Aggie, you need to plan a Texas A&M first birthday photo shoot! Whether you live near College Station or miles away from Aggieland, you can create meaningful, timeless Aggie first birthday photos right where you are.
As a fourth-generation Aggie, I wanted my baby’s first birthday photos to feel special, personal, and tradition-worthy. What started as a simple idea using 12th Man towels that quickly became our new favorite family tradition.
In this post, I am sharing:
- Easy Texas A&M first birthday photo shoot ideas
- Outfit inspiration for your one year old Aggie
- Location and lighting tips
- Simple tricks for happy smiles
- Ways to preserve your photos for years to come
If your baby is not one yet, save this post for later. But if your little one is almost there, let’s start planning something unforgettable.
Shop This Texas A&M First Birthday Photo Shoot
Want to recreate this look? Here’s what we used:
- 12th Man Towels
- Aggie Baby Jersey
- Baby Wrangler Jeans
- Baby Cowboy Boots
- Youth Cowboy Hat
- Small Baby Football
- Photo Blanket
- Digital Frame for Grandparents
I linked the items above to make planning simple.
Why a Texas A&M First Birthday Photo Shoot Is So Special
Like many first-time mamas, I wanted to document my baby’s growth each month. Instead of using wooden milestone signs (if I have a little girl one day, I really want to use the heart-shaped ones 💕), I created the number of his age using props from that month.
It turned out just precious! But definitely more work than I expected! This required a lot of creative juices!
I kept a running list in my phone with new ideas. However, I was stuck for what to do for month twelve. Come March, what was I going to use to create the number twelve?
As a fourth-generation Aggie, I cannot believe I missed it. The 12th man!
My sister suggested we use our old 12th Man towels to create the 12, and dress him in an Aggie jersey. It was perfect!
That simple idea became our favorite Texas A&M first birthday photo shoot. Now it is a tradition we plan to continue for generations.
How Do You Plan a Texas A&M First Birthday Photo Shoot?
To plan a Texas A&M first birthday photo shoot:
- Choose a meaningful location with soft natural light
- Pick an Aggie themed outfit such as a 12th Man jersey
- Create a simple backdrop using towels or maroon decor
- Schedule photos during your baby’s happiest time of day
- Bring snacks and small props to keep it fun
- Capture both posed photos and candid moments
Now, let’s break down each step so you can plan the perfect Aggie first birthday photos.
But first!
Save this for later:
- Take photos in portrait and video
- Maroon or 12th Man outfit
- Towels or simple backdrop
- Neutral blanket
- Small football or fun prop
- Snacks for smiles
- Plan around nap time
- Take photos in portrait and video
Stop and screenshot this list so you have it on photo day.
Choosing the Perfect Location Away from College Station
My guess is you’re just like me, an Aggie who loves College Station, but lives too far away. Don’t worry. You don’t have to be in Aggieland to have the perfect Texas A&M first birthday photo shoot.
We used my granddaddy’s home. The good news is, you do not need a professional studio. Instead, you just need good lighting and a simple setup.
To keep things simple, I recommend two backdrop options:
- A wall with indirect light
- An outdoor nature setting
If you can do both in one location, even better. With a one-year-old, simple is always best.
12th Man Backdrop
To create the number twelve, we used 12th Man towels arranged carefully so the wording showed clearly. (Texas A&M Home of the 12th Man)
For the perfect Aggie backdrop, you’ll need:12th Man towels, a wall with indirect natural lighting, strong painter’s tape, and a blanket of your choice.
**I don’t have a link to this exact blanket. I’ve owned this for 12 years, but here are a few that would look good with any Aggie Outfit you choose!**
Scout your location ahead of time. Look for soft light with no harsh shadows. Indirect light makes all the difference.
Our best photo time was at 10 am, after he was fed and happy. Golden hour is also beautiful if your little one is cheerful in the evening. It’s the perfect time for soft, dreamy lighting!
Some of my favorite photos were not perfectly posed. They were the candid ones where he explored and played.
Other Location Ideas
If you’d rather skip the 12th Man towels, and prefer a more natural look try:
- A local park
- Garden
- Lakeside
- Open field
- Your backyard
Outfit Ideas for Your One-Year-Old Aggie
Choosing the perfect outfit makes a huge difference in your Texas A&M first birthday photo shoot! Your baby should look adorable, and feel comfortable.
For our photo session we used:
- A traditional 12th Man jersey
- Classic Wrangler baby jeans
- His first pair of cowboy boots
- Cowboy hat from his first rodeo birthday party(I got him one to grow into! They make smaller ones:)
We photographed him both with and without the hat and boots. Both were precious.
If you plan to continue this tradition, consider purchasing your own jersey so your baby can pass it down one day. We chose to borrow one from a friend and I really wish we bought one so we pass it down to the next generation!
If you want to start this tradition, I linked a few of my favorite Aggie baby outfit finds below!
Tips for a Smooth and Fun First Birthday Photo Shoot
What Is the Best Time of Day for a One Year Old Photo Shoot?
The best time for a one-year-old photo shoot is during your baby’s happiest wake window and when natural light is soft. Mid-morning shade or golden hour typically provides the most flattering light while keeping your toddler comfortable and cheerful.
Consider your baby’s schedule.
When are they happiest?
When is their longest play window? Is the lighting that soft dreamy light?
Plan your Texas A&M first birthday photo shoot during that sweet spot.
Keep It Fun for Everyone
This is not about perfection. It is about capturing joy. Remember this is supposed to be fun!
I’d be the first to admit I forget it’s supposed to be fun! Normally I leave a DIY photo shoot sweating, thirsty and ready for a nap myself. IYKYK. But this time!!
We played peekaboo and sang songs. Yogurt melts worked as the perfect bribe.
One unexpected trick that always works for us is letting him sip from Mama’s cup. It makes him laugh every time. Is your baby possessive about Mama’s cup too?
Some of our best photos happened during breaks when he ran around in his cowboy hat.
Props and Details That Make Photos Pop
Props saved the day for us.
One year olds do not sit still for long. A small football gave us the cutest action shots. Playing catch created natural smiles. I linked the exact baby football we used here in case you want to recreate this look.
His birthday cowboy hat was perfect for peekaboo.
If I could do it again, I would bring an extra 12th man towel for him to wave around and play with.
Mistakes to Avoid During a One Year Old Photo Shoot
Learn from me, here are a few mistakes to avoid:
- Starting too close to nap time
- Not recruiting help! The more hands the better!
- Overcomplicating the backdrop
- Forgetting snacks or water
- Forgetting to get in a few photos myself( I really wish I remember to hop into a photo!)
Making Your Texas A&M First Birthday Photos Timeless
When planning your Texas A&M first birthday photo shoot, remember that simple always wins.
Start with a clean background, meaningful Aggie outfit, and good lighting. But don’t forget a few fun props, and snacks for smiles.
Take photos in multiple formats:
- Portrait mode
- Standard photo
- Short videos
Each format captures a different result. You will treasure them all.
Editing & Preserving Memories
You do not need complicated editing tools. A light editing goes a long way.
On your phone:
- Duplicate your favorite image.
- Open the edit feature.
- Use the auto enhance tool.
- Slightly adjust brightness and warmth if needed.
That is it.
Visual Learner? This is for you!
- Open your Photos app and duplicate the photo you want to try, and enhance it. Tap the three buttons on the top right of your screen and press duplicate.
2. On the bottom toolbar is the three bars with three little dots on them. (The orange circled icon!) This is the editing tab on the iphone.
3. Then use the auto enhance tool(the magic wand), and it lightens the photo to enhance the natural color!
That’s all you really need to do for a light touch! You can play around with the settings to blur the background more, turn it black and white or make it brighter or dimmer!
To preserve your photos:
- Print a few for your baby book
- Frame favorites around your home
- Upload them to a digital frame. We love our Skylight Frame — it makes sharing baby photos with grandparents so easy. You can send photos straight from your phone in seconds, and they appear instantly on the frame. We upload new memories weekly, and it has become my favorite baby memory gift.
- Share them in a shared family album
Do not let them live only on your phone.
A Cherished Aggie Tradition You’ll Treasure Forever
I hope this inspires you to create your own Texas A&M first birthday photo shoot tradition.
My only regret is not jumping into a few photos myself, and I will not miss that opportunity next time.
Congratulations on your little Aggie turning one. Not there yet? Save this post for later. Already passed this stage? It is never too late to start a meaningful tradition.
Try this photoshoot? I would truly love to see it! Share it with a fellow Aggie mama and keep the tradition alive.
Save this Texas A&M first birthday photo shoot idea for later.
Hey There! I’m Chelsea Salinas!
Mama to this precious boy & the Author behind the First Time Mama Blog. My purpose? To help new Mamas enter motherhood with confidence and thrive in this beautiful new season of life!
Things I’m Loving
1. My go-to Mama Mocktail
Aka my electrolytes. Paloma is my current obsession. Add Tajin on the rim if you’re feeling fancy. **chef’s kiss**
2. Blue Tansy Deodorant
My non-toxic deo that doesn’t feel like grits. I’ve had this on subscription for years now. Click here to receive $10 off when you try it!
3. Essential Oils
I was previously known on my corner of the internet as the “oils girl.” If you’re wondering, yep, still use them every single day! This is my favorite brand! (My link saves you 10% off with code SHAREYL at checkout)
4. My Tush Baby
Honestly, I packed mine for our in-between move and regret it. I miss this more than I thought I would.
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