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Baby boy 1st birthday photoshoot: 7 tips on how to take a photoshoot of a wild (no sit) one year old.
For my son’s first birthday, we did a little lumberjack as the theme for his party. It ended up being the perfect theme because his birthday is in December, when I start getting out all the Christmas Reds and Plaids. Since I like to dabble in Photography I did a fun and festive pre-birthday photoshoot with him. Lets be honest, the day of the party I will be running around like a madwoman who lost her shoe (& her mind) so to save me some sanity and make sure I get some photos “where he’s actually looking at me” for that memory book, I took some time to get some goodies because it is not easy, I repeat, NOT EASY, keeping a One year Old’s attention without seeing his back side or props getting ransacked. You may already know this…or experienced it.
His felt Birthday Crown with fur was a DIY project, you can get the full instructions on how I made it.
I did leave in some funny bloopers of my little Lumberjack at the end! Embracing the messy photos of a on the go-now toddler-and letting a little personality shine through.
It’s true, since he’s been born I am THAT mom with a camera permanently attached to my hand, and not the expensive kind either…just my android. Why pay big bucks for photos when you can diy some of your own with just a couple tricks up your sleeve. You may have also seen my tricks for taking newborn photos (oh my, how little he was then!)
Oh, and then the photos of his 3 month milestone.
But today is all about his becoming a toddler and how I was able to take my baby boy 1st birthday photoshoot right at home. Another Proud mama moment 😉
Birthday Photoshoot Ideas at Home
Easy tips for toddler stress-free photos
1. Requiring expensive equipment for decent photos
This is of course a misconception with taking your own photos. A lot of phones nowadays have nice quality lens and can take a great photo. It’s how I take all my photos! Photo editing is even available on there as well. If you do use your camera and need some photoshop, check out ipiccy. It’s completely free and so darn easy to use.
2. Include a Backdrop
You want the focus to be on the baby, so try not to make it too busy of a background. In front of a wall in your home works just fine. Add a cute little banner on the wall behind baby to give it something extra without looking too plain. Here is the one I used or you can diy your own. It would look especially nice if you have a feature wall in your home to sit baby in front of. Blankets are great too if you can hang it over the back of a chair or tucked around a basket or box (as pictured). Don’t forget about the floor, lay down a blanket or show off the wood floor you have. I didn’t have the option, since my son’s birthday was in December, but you could also set up a lovely outdoor scene.
3. Add Props
If you have chosen a theme for your baby’s 1st birthday. Let the props do the talking in the photos. I added lanterns, short faux logs, a campfire and some snowy garland along with some other things I found. You can probably find a lot of things sitting around your house to use.
4. Snacks are a must
Distraction is the name of the game here for that feisty one year old. Of course silly faces, waving hands, and abrupt movements are part of it all but I found it way easier to offer little treats (dog owners know what I’m talking about here) during the shoot. Not the messy ones either. Find clean snacks to offer up like cheerios so their hands and mouth stay tidy through the whole thing. I used these dried yogurt bites for our little guy. Hold out on giving it to them until you snap a few good ones in between.
5. Put them in something vs. allowing them to sit with tons of freedom
It really helps to set baby in something so that they stay in place long enough. I suggest a basket they will fit in. Even a cardboard box.
6. Set Your Scene ahead of time
There’s so much that goes into picture taking, such as finding the right spot to shoot with good lighting, setting everything up, outfit changes, accessories, hair dos, etc.. To keep the stress down, take a few moments during naptime to plan and set everything how you want so when baby is awake you have less to tackle and his space is photo-ready.
7. Allow them to keep their hands busy
This one goes hand in hand with the snacks tip I mentioned above. Let your toddler hold something in his hands, for example his favorite stuffed animal for some cute snuggly pictures or even holding the string of a oversized number “1” balloon. If you are able to do it outside in the warmer months other great ideas are watermelon , smash cake, popsicles, etc.. if you opt for the messy ones.
Other Tips
Get down to their level versus trying to take a photo standing.
Get up close and personal. Baby features are the cutest.
Embrace the chaotic and silly pictures too! Those are the ones that you will look back on and smile over.
And my last tip is to snap away and don’t review them after you take each one. There will be a several of ones that make the delete button, but you will have a few good ones out of the bunch, hopefully. It’s a major time-savor and that little one year old will only hold out for so long before he’s onto the next thing!
I hope these tips give you some good ideas for taking a first birthday photoshoot at home with your little guy.