What Props Should You Bring to a Family Photography Session?

Your family portrait experience may well be the first time you’ve had professional photos taken where there isn’t a specific “focus”.

You might have had a quick headshot taken for work at the bequest of HR. Wedding photos where you’re dressed up in thoughtfully curated outfits and positioned together formally. Or a newborn shoot where all the attention has been on your tiny bundle of joy.

But a family photo shoot is different. Rather than pinning these photographs to a specific event or time in life, we’re taking them simply to capture and celebrate the moment in your family’s story.

To further root your photographs in time it can be helpful to have one or two props. I know that props can have a reputation for being cheesy, but bear with me! When included in a meaningful way, I’ve actually found they can add sentiment and/or seasonality and encourage play; all of which allow for more candid, natural photos.

So if you’ve got your portrait session booked, have a read of my 10 prop ideas below. Chances are you have most of these lying around your home and can scoop up a few to bring with you on the day. Or if you’re tempted by some of the more seasonal suggestions, they’re all low cost and can be taken home afterwards to enjoy.

 1.     Soft toys and comforters

If your child has a special soft toy that’s always tucked under their arm or a comforter they love to snuggle, please feel free to bring it along for your family’s portrait session.

If they’re anything like my two, these items are likely to be very precious. You’ve probably spent many an hour trawling eBay for replacements in fear of them getting lost or retracing your steps in search of a much-loved item that’s fallen out of the buggy!

These teddies and blankies will probably only be important to your child in their early years. But as their parent, they’ll be cemented in your memory as their first love; a thing they couldn’t do without and that brought them immense comfort. So why not have that special toy or comforter recorded in your family’s photos?

And don’t forget, even if teddy bear is camera shy himself, he can work wonders at making your child feel more at ease in front of the camera!

2.    A tube of bubbles

Aren’t bubbles magic? Children from tiny babies to ten-year-olds find wonder in them and consequently they can make for lovely shots.

What’s more, they’re ideal for any outdoor setting, floating on the wind ready to be popped. They’re a low cost prop you probably already have in your home.

3.    A ball game

A simple ball game, like a football or tennis ball, is a great item to have with you. If you’re having your photo session in an open space, like a beach or park, it can keep the kids busy in between photos. Plus it can make for some fun action shots... particularly if you have a competitive parent in the mix!

4.    A magnifying glass

As a parent and a photographer I spend much of my time observing young children and it never fails to amaze me the wonder they find in simple things.

My girls love to get out into the garden to explore and if I give them a simple tool such as a trowel or a magnifying glass, they’re all the happier searching for ladybirds or peering at petals.

Like a ball, bringing a magnifying glass doesn’t mean those photos have to make the final cut. Whether they do or they don’t it can be a useful way to keep your child engaged in between photos. 

5.    A bunch of seasonal blooms or petals

Anyone who knows me well will know that if I’m nowhere to be found, you’ll likely find me in the garden!  Photographing families at play in nature is my vibe and I love to include seasonal flowers and foliage because I want my photographs to tell the story of the season in the year just as much as the season in my clients’ lives.

So if you’re having your family photos taken at a time of year that lends itself to a floral prop, why not grab a bunch on route and add a little something extra to your photographs?

6.    A book

Whatever the age of your children, I’d recommend bringing along a favourite book.

From experience, pre-teens can sometimes feel uncomfortable in front of the camera. At this in-between age, they can be too old for portraits of them naturally playing like a younger child, but too young to feel confident like an older child. However, give them their favourite book and I can work my magic taking candid shots whilst they’re absorbed in a story.

Similarly, if your kids are a mix of ages, having them all sat together while an older one reads the littlies a story is a great way to get them all neatly together for a group shot.

Plus, like some of my other prop suggestions, a favourite book is often just a handy thing to have with you to keep the kids entertained for a few minutes; and if it doesn’t get used as a prop, so what!

7.     A seasonal prop

Like flowers, a seasonal prop such as pumpkins, strawberries, apples or conkers can really enhance your photos; and I make it my mission to ensure they do so in a non-cheesy way!

Adding these props to a selection of the photos can add a lovely sense of seasonality to your finished portraits. They showcase nature, are a fun (and sometimes edible!) way to engage your children and mean you’ll be able to look back and pinpoint the time of year your portraits were taken for years to come.

8.     A picnic blanket

I’d say this prop is a must for your family photo session, regardless of the time of year.

If we’re heading outside to photograph your family in summer then it can be used as a place to sit. If it’s a colder day you can use it to wrap up warm or put underneath you on a bench or log. One family I photographed used theirs to dry the park’s slide so their children could use it!

 9.    A scarf

Similarly to the blanket, whatever the temperature, a scarf is a great prop for your family photos. Whether it’s blowing in the breeze as you walk down the beach or keeping you warm in an autumnal forest, a scarf is the perfect accessory for the day (discover more styling ideas in my article: What to wear on your family photography session).

You can even use it as a finishing line for your little one!

10. My spare camera!

I always find children are super intrigued by my camera! In the age of the iPhone, most kids have never seen a roll of film before… why would they?

I usually load my first roll of 120 in front of them and let them close the door and press the shutter to wind the film on. Then I let them feel the weight of it and show everyone how strong they are! It’s a great way for me to break the ice and I often strike a deal with them that I’ll let them take the very last photo. It’s a great way to support them in feeling a part of the experience and I’m always game for inspiring the next generation of photographers.

I hope that’s given you some inspiration of props to bring for your outdoor family photographs. My mission is to create everlasting memories of your family on film and I’m here to support you with every stage of that process, from choosing where to have your photos taken to picking the best frame to hang them in. For weekly family photography inspiration, sign up to receive my newsletter below…