Valentine’s Day is the perfect occasion to capture the sweetest portraits of your children that you can cherish forever.
1. Plan Ahead for a Stress-Free Photoshoot
Valentine’s Day photography is all about creating a fun and relaxed atmosphere. To avoid last-minute stress, plan ahead by deciding on the location, outfits, and props.
2. Choose the Right Outfits
Dress your children in outfits that reflect the Valentine’s Day theme without being overly formal or stiff. Some ideas include:
- Red, pink, and white clothing
- Heart-patterned shirts or dresses
- Coordinated sibling outfits
- Cute accessories like bows, suspenders, or headbands
3. Pick a Background that Matches or Complements the Theme
Your backdrop sets the mood for the photos. Consider these options:
- A simple white wall in your living room.
- A white or pink sheet taped to the wall.
- Decorations such as Valentine’s Day banners, balloons, and fairy lights can add interest.
While designing your set, don’t forget about the source of light. Choose an area with a large window and pick a time of the day when the sun is on an opposite side of the building to get soft, even light.
4. Decide on Poses
When posing, consider the age of the child you are photographing. Different ages will require different types of props to support them or keep them safe.
- For the youngest models, use a bassinet or a professional photography bucket with soft liners to keep the infants safe. Make sure the container is sturdy and someone is always at an arm’s reach.
- For babies up to 6 months use a fluffy blanket and lay them on their tummy, especially if they are at the age when they can comfortably push up on their hands.
- For ages 7-18 months, consider which milestone they’ve mastered most recently and use it for posing. It can be sitting up independently, standing or walking.
- For toddlers, a little stool or chair can be helpful to contain them in one spot for longer than a few seconds.
- For older kiddos, try variations of sitting on the floor, standing, twirling, jumping, and even better – ask them to come up with fun and creative poses they would like to incorporate in their photoshoot.
Don’t forget, taking photos from a child’s eye level creates a more engaging and intimate perspective. Kneel or lie down to capture their expressions at their height, making the images feel more personal and immersive.
5. Use Fun Props
Props add personality and playfulness to your photos. They also help younger models stay in one spot while they are examining the new prop, giving you a chance to snap a picture. Some creative Valentine’s Day-themed props include:
- Heart-shaped balloons
- Stuffed animals
- Soap bubbles
- Faux flowers
- Heart-shaped lollipops
Let your children interact with the props naturally to capture authentic expressions.
6. Capture Real Emotions
Direct your child in the right spot, but then help them relax and show their personalities. Encourage your kids to play, laugh, and interact with each other. Some great candid moments to capture include:
- Blowing kisses at the camera
- Giggling while playing with props
- Twirling
- Playing peek-a-boo
These natural expressions make for timeless memories.
Make Valentine’s Day photography a yearly tradition by taking pictures of your children every year. Watching them grow through these annual photos will be a cherished family tradition that you can look back on for years to come.
By following these tips, you’ll be able to capture heartfelt moments that celebrate love. If you are local to San Francisco’s East Bay Area, and would rather have a professional handle all the planning, photographing and editing for you, I’m happy to chat and help make your vision a reality. Get in touch with me here.
For these Valentine’s Day portraits I partnered with the most amazing local children’s clothing store The Little & Brave Boutique located in Brentwood and Livermore. They provided amazing Valentine’s themed dresses and outfits that were festive enough for the photoshoot, yet versatile enough to be worn year-round. Check out their latest collection here (P.S. they deliver nationwide).
Happy Valentine’s Day!
All photography in this article is by: SoPoDesigns Photography