Orange County Family Photographer - How to Incorporate Props Into Your Session!
APRIL 10, 2020
Happy Friday Friends! Can you believe this rain we've had this week! It's sooooo cold on top of the rain! It feels more like winter than spring around here lately. The weather makes me dream of wildflowers, warm balmy evenings and being able to see my clients again! Since it's so dreary outside I wanted to post a fun topic for today's blog post - how to incorporate props into your session. As an Orange County family photographer, I LOVE props because they can add so much fun and visual interest to your sessions.
Most people love to incorporate props, but to varying degrees. Some love just one, some love a whole handful! And kids love them most of all. Because kids have so much energy, they typically need something in their hands or to do with their hands in order to hold their attention for the camera. This means adorable interactions, lots of laughter, and fun times! There are many types of props that you can use for your session. I have many that you are always welcome to use, and I also encourage clients to bring any they like as well! This is especially important for milestone sessions, like a child's birthday or a high school senior session because we can incorporate items that are important to your family and child at that moment so you'll be able to remember their love for that item always!
The first type of prop you can have for a session is something to sit on. I almost always bring at least one of these to family session because not only does it add visual interest to family portraits, it can also, depending on the seat, bring a touch of whimsy to your session. I have everything from benches, to moss covered floral chairs, to ladders, star balls, to floral birdcage chairs! If you have a specific item you'd like me to bring to your session just let me know!
I also LOVE to incorporate flowers! From high school seniors to princess sessions, nothing is prettier for girls than a bouquet of flowers. If you have one of these sessions with me, I always bring them to match the outfits being worn, and if you have a different type of session with me and would like me to bring a bouquet, just let me know!
Lanterns, butterflies, and fireflies, oh my! Kids have an incredible imagination, and many of my (and their) favorite props incorporates a little after-session magic! I'll often bring lanterns, butterfly holders, etc to the session and ask your child what they'd like in the item. Then, we have a little make believe during the session, and when you receive your photos they'll have your child's choices in them! As an Orange County child photographer, this is one of my very favorite types of images, not only because I get to make some magic with your child but gets them involved in their photos, which in turn makes it so much easier to get fun images of them!
Bubbles are another fun prop that kids LOVE! I mean, who doesn't love running through a field of bubbles? I have a bubble machine that I'll usually bring to sessions with younger kids since it's a great way to get them laughing - and who doesn't love a picture with a child filled with joy?
I am also happy to always chat about props during your pre-session consultation that is included with each session I do! It's a way to customize the session to your family or children, and I'm always adding new fun props for kids! But, who says that only kids have to have the fun? Adults love to get into fun too!
Balloons are another great prop that is fun for all ages, from kids up to high school seniors! If you child would like to incorporate balloons into their session just let me know and we can incorporate them based on the theme of the session.
We can also incorporate the environment that we are in for your photos! From sticks and rocks to wildflowers, this is a fun and beautiful way of tying in the location you've picked into your photos.
Last but certainly not least your own pets! So many of us have fur babies that are part of our family, and there are many pet-friendly locations that we can photograph in that allow you to have your pets in the session! I have even had the cutest little birdie (below) in one of my sessions!
Thanks for checking out my post on fun props you can incorporate into your session! If you'd like to chat about what props we can bring to your Orange County photography session, please get in touch! Stay safe and healthy everyone!
