12 Thanksgiving Photoshoot Ideas for Babies You’ll Just Have To Try
Just when you thought they couldn’t get any cuter!
‘Tis the season for photos filled with pumpkins! Find a pumpkin big enough to fit your little one, then carve out the middle and all that goo (or opt for a hollowed out fake pumpkin). Once it’s dry, place baby inside, either awake or asleep, for a super cute photo. Bonus points if you carve a jack-o-lantern that lets your baby’s feet stick out!
Instead of placing your baby in a pile of fall leaves (which is super cute), try a pose that doesn’t require them to sit up — or even wear clothes! Place baby on a blanket on the grass, or indoors if that’s more comfortable, and place multi-colored autumn leaves around their body. Then, strategically hold one leaf in front of the camera (so it covers their diaper and makes it appear like baby’s naked) for an adorable seasonal photo.
If you have a cornucopia that’s just waiting to sit on your dinner table, it’s the perfect place for the thing you’re most thankful for: your infant! With baby on the table, gently insert their legs and wiggle the cornucopia up until it reaches just under their arms (or as far as the decor will allow). Spread tiny pumpkins, unlit candles, place settings and even Thanksgiving food around their body before taking a picture. Bet you want to take a bite of those cheeks!
Using colored paper or felt (whatever materials you have at home) cut the shape of a turkey gobbler, feathers, pumpkins, the sun, grass, and any other shapes to help you create your scene. Then, lay baby on the table, place the gobbler on their chest and fan the feathered shape behind them so they look like a little turkey. Place your outdoor shapes around your cute mini turkey and snap a pic!
Pick someone to hold baby on their lap after Thanksgiving dinner, whether that’s a parent, grandparent, or sibling, and hold up the turkey wishbone so that your little one wraps their fist around one side. Then, have whoever is holding them pull the other end and see who comes out victorious! Make sure to snap a photo before the pulling begins, during the wrestle and of the outcome.
If baby can’t sit up on their own, place them in a chair that’ll support them (or in the lap of a sibling) for this shot. After setting up a tripod or wrangling a second set of hands, pick up a pile of leaves and toss them in the air over and around your little one, making sure that they’re looking up and following the motion. This is the perfect time to snap a pic and catch a look of wonderment on their face!
Who doesn’t love a good cake smash? Here’s a simple way to make it seasonal: After placing your baby in their high chair, put a pumpkin pie with whipped cream on the tray and watch them get to work. This also works with a plate full of Thanksgiving leftovers!
Before you start cooking Thanksgiving dinner, pull out your biggest pot (one that your baby can sit in) and arrange all your ingredients around your cookware. Then, gently place your little one inside the pot and hand them something to hold, like a carrot or a spoon (something that they can’t accidentally swallow and is okay for them to put in their mouth). Bonus points if you have a mini chef hat or apron for them to wear.
With baby safely in a bath seat (and always supervised), fill the sink or tub with water until it covers part of their body. Then, add a little bit of milk to the water, just until you get a milky layer on top. Then, add mini pumpkins, apples and other seasonal food and items that can float for a bath time filled with Thanksgiving tradition.
Fill a crate with hay (or opt for a hay bale) and lay a similarly colored blanket or faux fur on the top, then lay your sleeping baby down. Wrap the baby in a brown or orange blanket (and maybe add a cozy hat!) before placing pumpkins, corn, apples and vegetables around the crate. Bonus points if you add stuffed animals that may be found on the farm.
This one’s for all the candy corn lovers turned parents! Find a glass jar that’s big enough to fit your sleeping infant (and wrap a cute ribbon around it, if you have one), then fill it a third of the way with candy corn. Gently fit your sleeping baby inside the jar, and while you’re holding them, have another set of hands sprinkle the rest of the candy corn around your baby until their body is supported. Lean baby on their side so a hand is between their head and the glass jar for support, too. Place seasonal decor, like pumpkins, on the sides and sprinkle some extra candy corn in front for a tasty photo!
One of the most iconic parts of Thanksgiving? The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade! Blow up a few balloons, tie some string around them, then tie those strings to fluffy scrunchies you can roll around your baby’s tiny arms (this way, there’s nothing too tight around them). Bonus points if you attach them to balloons in the same shapes as characters also in the parade!
Your kids will have so much fun playing with these fall-themed cut-outs. As a bonus, you can use these props as decorations for your table for your Thanksgiving celebrations!
Want to add a sweet message to your family photo so that you can use it as your fall photo book cover? Try using a Thanksgiving banner that you can hold up with your family. This is a simple and easy prop that you can find or make.
Is there anything cuter than a baby in a turkey hat? As you are considering your Thanksgiving photoshoot this year, find and collect all things turkey to use as props. Wear turkey-printed shirts, prop up turkeys in your living room or simply let your little ones play with turkey toys!
Get some variety into your Thanksgiving photos with a chalkboard that you can write different messages on! You can either buy a small chalkboard or DIY one with chalkboard paint. Use red, orange and yellow chalk to write out your message of thanks or to draw pretty leaves.
A classic prop for the fall season is corn. Opt to use dried corn for a pretty and traditional photoshoot prop. Consider glamming it up with some glitter and glue if you want some *extra* family photos this year.
If you have a new baby, snap some photos of them sleeping on a bale of hay. If you have young kids, get them sitting together side-by-side with some flannel shirts on. Adorable!
Pumpkins make for great DIY photo booth props because of the bright colors and varieties that you can find. Set up a sitting area with a pile of gourds and snap away!
Thanksgiving is the perfect time to incorporate fall leaves into your stunning family photos. Take advantage of the brightly-colored foliage and use it as a prop for your photoshoot. You can take the family outside and photograph them playing in the leaves or drape your littles in some faux fall leaf garlands for a super cute shoot.
Fall is the best time of year because of one thing and one thing only: LAYERS! Nothing better than scarves on sweaters on scarves. Grab some cozy blankets and your best sweaters for a cozy family photoshoot. Get everyone bundled in a cozy, neutral color palette (using lots of whites, beiges and greys) and set up your photoshoot on the couch. Bonus points if you can incorporate faux fur pillows and throws!
It’s never too early for snow when it comes to the holiday spirit. If you live somewhere where snow likes to come a little early, use it to your advantage by taking some beautiful winter-themed photos with the icy landscape as your prop.
A great way to really amp up your Thanksgiving photoshoot is to include your dining table laden with delicious food in the picture. Want an out-of-the-box Thanksgiving photoshoot? Use food as a live action prop during an outdoor food fight!
95 Best Yearbook Quotes
50+ Sweet New Baby Quotes
32 Happy Anniversary Messages That Will Make You Fall in Love All Over Again