Needs ideas for 'props' to use in professional baby pics

[mandymac]

We are having some studio photos of dd (5 months) done on Saturday by a friend who is setting up a photography business. He has asked us to bring some props and I'm really stumped for ideas. I would like some fairly funky, quirky shots of dd, any ideas for good accessories/props? - Do I do an Anne Geddes and put her in a giant flowerpot with some kind of petal shaped headwear?

bubble machine?

She is a bit young for many posed shots. Can she sit unsupported ? Bubbles , with perhaps a cushion under fabric behind her or to support her upper body and head as she lies on her tummy sound great.Othersiwe lots of soft fabrics, small wicker chair, favourite traditional toys - like wooden ones or small ball - which she may reach for.

Message withdrawn

I think all props are naff I'm afraid.
A baby is beautiful enough.

When the hospital photographer came round she thought I was bonkers as I turned my nose up at her little selection of polyester outfits (18 hour boy togged up as a sailor??? Puh-leeeeeze!)
Had them done in their little vests.

Scrumptious!

we have a photo of DS sitting in a victorian china wash bowl looks soooo cute

bumping for any more ideas (bubbles is winning at the moment if I can find any without venturing to Toys are us [shudder]).

Thanks for the suggestions so far

um

how about something adult sized so that you'll always be able to tell from the photo how small she really was?

a pair of shoes? a hat? oh I dunno I have a loathing of posed shots in the main

I think it could be nice if you took a roll of lining paper and some poster paints and (if she can sit) sit her on the paper and just let her play and see what happens

or you could artfully dab her face with the right kind of paint

you could do the same with some bowls of bubbly water ..

how about a baby bath?

a favourite toy? a ragged old teddy bear

how about a huge big stockpot?

when we moved house DS was 4 months old and we held him a cardboard box filled with his toys to make the photo for the front of our moving card .. he looked fab but it was a specific reason

A nice soft fluffy blanket ?
Personally I'm a fan of the 'minimal' shot ie baby + one building block etc

Some bright coloured balls (you know the ones you get in ball pits) make a great picture especially if you have white background.

Other ideas:

Balloons (again bright colour/white background
Bubble machine is another good
A favourite toy that makes her giggle even if its chewed - It will bring happy memories in the future for you all to look back on.

I would try to go for as plain and simple as possible as often the ones that are character shots don't look as nice as you expect. I used to take photos of infants and they would always choose the tacky feather boa and necklace shot and it just looks awful!

I hope you have a lovely time and that the photos come out as well as you expect -

Jules

Thanks, great ideas! Twiglett you were on a roll there!

I've got a wicker washing basket with some of her favourite toys in (and we could always pop her in it) bubbles and her bumbo as she looks quite cute in that. Balloons are a good idea, I will have to see if we can grab some on the way over there. I'll post a pic if they are any good.

Now if she will just go for a nap, so she doesn't look like she's been out on the razz for 3 days, all will be well .

We had one done of dd when she was about 4 months. We laid a big white feather boa on a cushion and laid dd on top of that with just her nappy on.

The pictures great, she has little feathers surrounding her it looks lovely.

have you got a traditional nappy or frilly over pants - looks good with feathers, white towel or voile

dd just had a disposable on but we covered it up with a bit of white cloth.
You can't see it on the picture anyway.