It is definitely that time of year again. The time where you spend hours pouring over coordinating outfits, scouring Pinterest for perfect poses, and spending ridiculous amounts of mental energy willing, wishing, hoping, PRAYING for just one perfect picture for your Christmas card. And while I can’t promise that you will be able to get your two year old to look at the camera, or your infant to smile, I do have some pretty fantastic photo props that will most definitely make your holiday photos fun and unique!
Each of these props are simple to make, or affordable to buy and can really help keep the mood of your photo shoot fun and light hearted so that you can get that genuine smile out of everyone in the family!
1. An oversized picture frame- This is something so easy that can be “borrowed” from around the house. I used this fun frame to add a pop of color to the pictures, give structure within the frame and to give the kids something to play and have fun with! You can do different things like having the kids inside with the parents holding or the other way around.
Here we let the kids act silly while the parents smiled. The kids loved it and totally loosened up for the pics!
For some reason once the frame came out and I said hug your sister/brother, I got the cutest most genuine shots! It is awesome what beautiful expressions a fun prop can bring out!
2. Tinsel! Deck the halls with and your pictures with TINSEL! Tinsel is super inexpensive and makes a really fun addition to family photos. It brings in the feeling of Christmas and the holiday season and just just so darn fun to play with. How could you not get great smiles when tinsel is involved. It is a great prop for all ages. Babies are captivated by it…
And bigger kids can twirl and whirl and play to their hearts content with it.
Mom and Dad can even get in on the action by letting the kids “tie” them up in the tinsel. I think of all the great times we had, these shots had to be the most fun.
3. Bunting banners- Oh my heart flutters a little when I hear the word bunting and skips a beat when you add chalkboard. This chalkboard bunting was my most requested prop this year. It is simple and delivers a beautiful message. I will have a tutorial in a few days to let you in on how I made mine for only about $3! Sitting, standing or candid, buntings just really make the photo picture perfect!
I had a few non-chalkboard options too!
And you don’t have to have the entire fam to use the bunting for your holiday photos, it is also too too adorable with just this little guy holding it! Love!
There you have it! Three simple and easy props to add that special little touch to your holiday photos! What are you doing for your pics this year? Anything special? Will you use props? I would love to hear! Comments make my heart happy so let me know below!
Oh and by the way… If you aren’t following us on Pinterest, we would love you to! We even have a special board called Picture Perfect where I pin all of my inspiration! Follow us on Pinterest by clicking here!
Julie says
Wow what lovely ideas, so different from just sitting in front of the tree!
Kimber says
I love to get out and take pictures! I hope you will get a chance to capture some of your own this year!
Jodi says
Love your pictures! I have looked high and low on your website for the directions on how to make the blessed bunting and can’t find it. Can you help me narrow the location down? Thank you!!
Kimber says
I used a black bunting I bought at hobby lobby and then glued the ribbon over the existing cheap looking ribbon. I chalked it up and My friend did the lettering for me with a chalk pen.
Stephanie says
Where can I find tutorial on chalkboard bunting
Rochelle Harper says
Thanks for the ideas. I am using the extra large Christmas balls, Christmas signs, and present boxes as my props for a one-year old little boy and his family. I am excited and can’t wait to take these.