25 Innovative Photography Ideas for Kids

By Anisha Nair | Updated: 03/05/2024

Photography is all about capturing the emotional experience of the person who is photographed. Capturing children’s joy, wonder, and pure energy through photography can be a delightful and rewarding experience. This is because kids are unrestrained and have no hesitation in expressing their feelings.

Whether you’re a professional photographer or a parent looking to document precious memories, countless creative photoshoot ideas can bring out the best in your young subjects, from whimsical outdoor adventures to cosy indoor setups. The key is to tap into kids’ natural curiosity and playfulness, allowing their unique personalities to shine through in the images. We have compiled a list of photography ideas for kids that will help you create timeless, heartwarming portraits of the little ones in your life.

25 Creative Kids Photoshoot Ideas

A child’s mind is whimsical, filled with innocence, joy, creativity, and boundless imagination. So why not bring it to life with a memorable photoshoot that captures your little one in all their adorable glory? Here are some fun photography activities for kids to enjoy and parents to frame for life!

1. In Their Bubbles

Bubbles can fascinate just about any child, whether six months or six years old. It is an economical photo shoot, as all that is required is a bubble blower. Try a dark background since capturing bubbles against a light background is tricky.

2. Colourful Balloons

Adding balloons to your photo shoot can be an easy way to add a burst of colour and an extra bit of sparkle to your images. Try mixing pastel colours to create a more playful look. Please note that the intensity of smiles and happiness is directly proportional to the number of balloons available. The more, the happier!

3. Pretty Angels

For little girls, this makes for an adorable photo. Dress them up in a pretty dress with a star in their hands, wings on their back, and a cute crown. Go for a pink or white outfit, and your little girl will be guaranteed to look like she’s fallen from the heavens above! You can also do a male version, dressing them up as Cupid with a bow and arrow instead!

4. Candyland

Have you heard of candid photography? Put out a jar of their favourite jelly beans or other candy and take a few snaps as they stuff their faces with it. The look of joy on their face is going to be priceless!

5. It’s Fruity!

Who said kings, queens, and aristocrats were the only ones allowed to take portraits of themselves with fruits next to them? There are different ways that you could go about this. For infants, take pictures of them staring at a large watermelon almost as big as them! Kids that are a little older? Try taking photos of them tasting exotic fruits they have never tried. Ensure you take the snap just as they take their first bite and comprehend its taste.

6. Bunny Baby

Are your babies the most adorable things ever? Of course! Get them dressed up in a bunny suit with fluffy ears, let them go wild with some bunny poses, and make sure they have a carrot they can nibble on!

7. Just Hatched

Baskets and crates are perfect for photographing newborns. These are relatively easy to take as your baby needs to sleep. You can put them in a basket with a sticker that says “Newly Delivered” or “Fragile: Handle with Care”. Make sure these are done by professionals only.

8. Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

Do you have access to large mirrors for a limited time? Then this might be of some use to you. Place two mirrors on either side of your children so that it looks like loads of them are in the same room. Watch their inner fashionistas spring out!

9. Messy Mud, Fun Time

Are your little ones just discovering mud? This one might be a little difficult for a parent to do, but eating mud is something every kid tries at least once. Make sure you cap ure the moment. You can frown as they put the mud inside their mouths to see how they react and take a picture. Ensure they don’t swallow it; safety is as important as capturing a fun picture!

10. Stacking

This idea will work out better if you have multiple kids of different ages or heights at home. Make them stand according to their height. You can make things amusing by making them all wear the same clothes.

11. At the Beach

A trip to the beach is a fun experience for kids of all ages. You can decide on the mode of the shoot based on the time. Go for a sunrise/sunset if it’s serious. Go mid-day if you want to make it all about fun and rich with colour. Feel free to add a beach ball, shades, an umbrella, or other props and let your kids go wild!

12. Bubble Bath

Bath time is the best photoshoot idea for boys and girls. Make sure you add some extra soap to get a big, foamy bath. The large amounts of bubbles will excite your kids so much that they will lose any feeling of being camera-shy.

13. Sweeth Tooth

‘As happy as a kid at a candy store’ is an expression that is used often and not without meaning. If your children have a sweet tooth, find the most enormous lollipop you can find and capture their delight when they see it!

14. Child’s Best Friend

Do you have a family pet that is the object of your kids’ attention? The enthusiastic family dog or the unimpressed cat are both equally good options for taking a photo.

15. Little Princess

Little girls love twirling their pretty dresses. Snaps of the cute little girl twirling, playing with her skirt, and showing off her cute little footwear will be fantastic.

16. Silly Captures

Kids tend to do funny and silly things like jumping up and down for no reason or spontaneously getting into a funny pose. Keep your camera close by and capture these silly and candid moments as and when they happen.

17. School Time

Waiting for the bus on their first day of school is unforgettable. They might be a little scared, so keep the r focus on the brand-new bag and water bottle. Be excited for them. They’re bound to show that excitement to you! Capture the mom nt as they wave goodbye with bright smiles!

18. Tiny Bookworm

Have bookworms in the family? Take a picture of them with their entire book collection for a later day.

19. Playground Fun

If you’re in a new neighbourhood and your kids see a playground with their favourite swings, let them go for it. Ensure you capture a few shots while they enjoy singing around the jungle gym and slides!

20. FootNotes

Make sure your kids sit down with the soles of their feet towards the camera. Use a sketch pen to write the words “We heart(symbol) Dad” or “We heart(symbol) Mom.”

21. Fun in a Flower Field

Flower fields make for unique backgrounds or foregrounds for children’s photoshoots. They add beauty, vibrancy, and a touch of playfulness to the captured image. Have them frolicking about, lying down, or walking in the field to capture an unforgettable moment!

22. Just Swinging By

Capturing children in motion and having fun in their element is a beautiful way to capture the joys of being a child. Ensure you capture multiple frames to get the perfect shot!

23. Little Picasso

What better way to add colour and art to a photo than with your little munchkin expressing their creativity and painting away? Add props like paintbrushes, palettes, artist aprons, canvas, and a beret to complete the look!

24. Tasty Treat

Who doesn’t love a yummy snack to brighten up their day? And what could make it better, you ask? A tiny chef or chefs making it, of course! Get your little one into a chef’s hat and catch them in action as they whip up a tasty treat for you! And for once, making a mess is okay – it makes for a great shot! Just get your tiny helpers to clean up with you afterwards!

25. Twinning

If you’ve got twins, nothing is more fun than a matching outfit photograph! Find adorable costumes or clothing to dress your twins up in. Ensure they are the same or complimentary if they are of different genders!

FAQs

1. What are some popular themes for kids’ photoshoots?

Some common themes often seen in kids’ photography shoots include – fairytales, superheroes, favourite toys or cartoons, animals, fun activities, out in nature, playtime, and vintage.

2. How can I prepare my child for a photoshoot?

To prepare your little one for a photo shoot, try out these tips and tricks:

Explain the process in a fun and positive way
Let them choose their outfit or props
Ensure they are well-rested and fed
Bring along their favourite toys or snacks for comfort
Encourage them to be themselves and have fun

3. What are some editing tips for kids’ photoshoots?

If you have opted out of hiring a professional and have taken some dreamy photos of your kids’ yourselves, here are some finishing touches you can add to make it look professional:

Familiarise yourself with editing software if you haven’t already
Enhance colours to make them vibrant
Use soft filters for a dreamy look
Remove distractions in the background
Adjust lighting and contrast for a balanced image
Consider adding creative effects like overlays or textures

These are some great kids’ photography ideas you could try out when you can. Have loads of fun getting your kids to pose for these fun themes; they make for beautiful memories once they are all grown up!