Photographing toddlers can be fun yet challenging. Children of this age aren’t always comfortable around the camera. They may get cranky mid-shoot and don’t always listen to instructions. Plus, they are busy having too much fun to pose for the camera. In this situation, having a long list of photoshoot ideas can be very helpful. Here are a few toddler photoshoot ideas to get you started.
8 Best Toddler Photoshoot Ideas
Reading a Book
Your child may already have a favorite bedtime book, making it a perfect prop and theme for a toddler photoshoot. You can get your baby to pose on a chair indoors or on a picnic blanket in the garden with a few stuffed toys and a book. Let them pose with a book and the toys to create a scene where it looks like your toddler is reading to the toys.
Dance-Off!
When you’re taking impromptu photographs, sometimes the best prop is the one that acts in the background—music. Play a happy tune that gets your toddler moving. Adding confetti can make the photographs even more dynamic. Choosing the right outfit is as important as the music. If you’re photographing a young girl, dress her up in a dress with a flared skirt. Boys look cute in a pair of dungarees.
Spring Blossom
You can plan out many fun and easy toddler photoshoot ideas in the garden. Take photographs of your little one exploring nature, like blowing on dandelions or playing with fallen leaves. While it’s not ideal for children to pick flowers, you can still create magical frames by tossing dried petals into the air around your baby. Click away as these petals rain down, capturing the joy on their face. Alternatively, you can shower your toddler with fall leaves instead of petals. Better still, give your child the flowers/ leaves in their hand and let them throw them up. Make sure you’re using a fast shutter speed to get the right picture.
Unwrapping Gifts
Kids of all ages enjoy opening gifts. This is a great theme for birthday photoshoots or festive occasions like Christmas and Diwali. Dress your toddler up in their festive best and give them a big box to unwrap. Adding a few extra gift-wrapped boxes in the background adds to the cuteness of the frame. You could also string up a few fairy lights in the backdrop to create a festive atmosphere.
Splish Splash
Toddlers love splashing about in water. It’s a great idea to capture photographs as your toddler plays with water. You could fill up an inflatable pool in the backyard or simply turn on the hose. Let your toddler take control of the hose and click a series of photographs with a fast shutter speed. And here’s a fun idea: set your camera on a tripod, set the timer, and hop into the frame with them! This way, you’ll capture those genuine, spontaneous smiles and giggles that make these moments so special.
Renovation Time
Renovation-themed toddler photoshoot ideas may seem messy, but they’re a lot of fun. It doesn’t take a lot of prep work; all you really need is a couple of paint cans and a paint brush. Dress your kid up in dungarees or a white T-shirt and shorts, and let them stand as though they were painting the wall. To make the set-up easier to clean up, replace the paint cans with a few tubes of acrylic paint.
Fishing in the Lake
Take pictures of your toddler fishing, and you won’t have to fish for compliments! If you’ve got a lake or river nearby, even better. Just set your toddler up on a crate by the water’s edge. Of course, safety comes first, so keep a close eye on them at all times. Don’t worry if you don’t have a fancy fishing set – a long stick and a metal bucket will do the trick just fine. And when you’re editing the photos later, don’t forget to crop out the end of the stick for a cleaner look.
Little Chefs
Sit your toddler on the kitchen slab with a pile of flour and get ready to capture your kitchen’s cutest (and messiest) chef on film. Dressed in an apron and a chef’s hat, your baby can enjoy himself getting flour all over him as you click photographs perfectly suited to a Mother’s Day card.
Summing it UP
Other popular toddler photoshoot ideas at home include photographing your child with the family pet, recreating scenes from a fairytale, playing with their toys, eating a bowl of noodles, and picnics in the garden. Irrespective of the theme you choose, remember to be patient and let the child do what he or she is most comfortable with. Plan the photoshoot at a time when they are likely to be alert – after a nap is ideal. Also, make sure they’ve had a snack or a meal beforehand. So, let’s start taking a few fun photographs!