Ideas for toddler photography sessions | If you’ve ever tried to capture the perfect shot of your adorable toddler, you know how challenging it can be to keep them still and engaged. Well, fear not! I’ve got some fantastic ideas. They are simple, timeless, and guaranteed to keep your little one engaged during their photo session:

  1. Bubbles, Bubbles, Bubbles! Just a few puffs from a bubble wand can instantly turn a grumpy face into pure joy. You can capture some truly precious moments as your little one reaches out to catch the bubbles or watches with fascination as they pop in the air. Pro tip: Make sure to have plenty of bubbles on hand because once you start, it’s hard to stop!
  2. Stuffed Animal Sidekick. Who says a stuffed animal is just for cuddling? Bringing your toddler’s favorite fluffy friend to the photoshoot is a great idea and way to help them feel more at ease AND a fun way to capture their growth as side by side photos show how much your toddler has grown since their last photography session with their beloved friend.  Stuffed animals are also great for playing catch, tickle games, and giving your toddler something they can control: you can have them pose and play with their toy, which can help distract them from the camera.  
  3. Simple wooden toys. Wooden toys like blocks, animals, vehicles, or other stackables, are a great way to distract a toddler who is nervous or unsure. They are a fun activity that doesn’t clash with whatever outfit or theme you have chosen for your session.  As they relax and start to play and engage, you can often remove the toys. Then you can focus on more posed photos now that they are feeling comfortable.  This is among my favourites of my ideas for toddler photography sessions.
  4. Peek-a-Boo Props. Peek-a-boo never gets old! Grab a colorful scarf and play peek-a-boo from behind the photographer and their camera. You can hide behind the scarf or hand it to your toddler so they can play peek-a-boo with you.  It’s a classic game that always results in adorable candid shots.
  5. Dance Party. Let the music play! Save your toddlers favourite songs to your phone so you can turn on the tunes at the start of the session.  Toddlers often love to dance and move to the beat. This is a great way to help them feel more at ease during their session. Music is not only an easy idea for toddler photography sessions it’s also a great way to capture fun poses and action shots during your session.  

My final piece of advice:  have fun and go with the flow. Toddlers are unpredictable, which can be stressful for parents, but also what makes the photos so authentic. The more relaxed you are, the more at ease they will feel. This allows you to get the chance to capture all the personality and the toddler years have to offer. What ideas for toddler photography sessions do you have?

Photo of 2 boys smiling at camera in blog post about ideas for toddler photography sessions. Ottawa maternity photographers.