You don’t need a closet full of hand-picked props {what, just me?} to add a little pop to your pictures. Everyday household items work just as well! Best part: You probably have most of them in your home right now.
1. Bubbles: Bubbles not only make a great prop and add a little something to your picture, they also keep your child’s attention! Have Dad stand off-camera and blow bubbles. You’ll be able to capture the pure joy every child is overcome with when they see bubbles. Have a bubble machine? Even better! No one gets light-headed from all the bubble blowing.
2. Baskets: Who doesn’t like a baby in a basket? I know I do! This works well for babies who are learning to sit unassisted. Get that baby off the floor and prop them up in a basket! Baskets work for older kids too. If you have a larger basket, flip it upside down and use it as a stool. If you are shooting outdoors, it will blend into the scenery.
3. Picture Frame: This is a growing trend in photography and I love it! Sure you are framing your picture when you take the shot, but frames add an extra highlight and makes for a great picture. Use a frame 11×14 or larger. Anything smaller and it looks odd in the picture.
4. Balloons: You don’t need a party to throw balloons in the mix. One of my most popular maternity pictures featured balloons. It was the family’s creative way of announcing the gender of the new arrival! Balloons also can help younger children get excited and smile a lot. It can also be a distraction, so make sure you pull out the balloons at a well-timed moment.
5. Chair: So simple, but they can add so much. Bonus if you can get your little one to actually sit and not try to get up! Also, small garden benches work well.
I LOVE this picture frame idea! The bubbles are also a great idea, I think my boys might actually let me take their picture if there were bubbles involved. Thanks for the great ideas!
I love the picture frame too! I am using it this weekend again in a family session and can’t wait. I always bust out the bubbles when I need to get my boys attention!
Yes, alot of us don’t realize all the props that we have around our houses….I saw the picture frame idea used at a wedding it was fun and cute. I’ve used the basket and boppy pillow myself. =)
Those photos are FABULOUS! Love the props.
Thanks, Jessica. My favorite is the baby in the basket. It doesn’t get any cuter than that!
i thought the frames were a neat idea until everyone started doing it. now its just …. tired (just my humble opinion)
My sister just got married and they had the photo guy who brings a bucket of fancy dress stuff and a camera with him, he had a similar picture frame and we ended up carrying it round all night, it really is a great idea!