Different Themes for Every Portrait
Balloons for a party theme portrait
Every story includes fun details and a background. Events like birthdays, weddings, and holidays often have a theme. The theme sets a mood and vibe. It can be relaxing and muted or bright and loud.
You decide everything in the planning process. The little details and table decor complement each other. Costumes and prizes can also play a part. However, sticking to a theme can be hard.
We all love a good theme, right? It makes life easier.
Pink Christmas tree, yes, please! Candyland party, always! But what if your little one wants a cowboy/dinosaur party?
Trends always come and go. But, if you like something, go for it. I still see mason jars at parties, and I thought that trend left 15 years ago. If a person loves how they look, they should replicate it.
I was recently invited to take some backdrops off a friend’s hands. She no longer has a photography studio and was getting rid of things. She used to photograph kids mostly- or so I assume because she had mostly kid-themed backdrops. And, some were…well, dated.
Let’s dive in!
In this photo, you can see the chevron print peaking through in the upper left corner.
Chevron isn’t trendy anymore, so I gave this backdrop an easy update. You can watch my Instagram reel here. There’s nothing a quick coat of spray paint can’t fix.
Solid color backgrounds are best for studio-esque photos. I don’t have a studio yet, so I get creative with lighting and backdrops to create a faux studio look for portrait sessions. I used black and pink in the photos below. The last one was taken outside; I just liked how the background looked, so I threw it in here.
For a studio style, I use fabric. I have many fabrics to choose from: cream, turquoise, lavender, red, navy, black, pink, white, and more.
As I was rummaging through the newly acquired backdrops, I was like a kid in a candy store. There were so many fun ones! I took photos of most of them. A few need an update still; I don’t think Marquis is on trend anymore. I will probably give them the same treatment I gave the Chevron one.
Many of these have a kid theme, but I wanted to show you what I have. That way, when you book a session with me, you will have a clear idea of what you want. A studio-like session with a backdrop or an outdoor session in Southern California.
The Backdrop Choices:
The Lemonade Stand
This is a good size for multiple children. Picture them juggling lemons or sugar cubes while sitting on crates, giggling. They could wear simple dresses and button-up shirts with khakis. Perfect for a Spring or summer portrait session.
Such a cute backdrop
This backdrop is on the large side. It does have creasing from being folded, but I think the sun can fix it. This is the only one that has wrinkling, and it’s one of the cutest! So, I’m determined to fix it.
I don’t know if I’ve formally introduced Mr. Bones yet. He’s my fancy test model and often makes an appearance when I test out lighting or camera angles. He’s a big help around my studio. He’s light and easy to move around whether we’re playing indoors or out. I used him as a size reference for these backdrops, in hopes of giving you a better feel for the size.
The Candy Shoppe
This is probably my favorite backdrop in the bunch. I’m not even a sweets lover; I’m more of a savory fan. However, this gives me all the Willy Wonka vibes. Isn’t it fun? It’s not a huge size, so it’s best for one child. Or adult. For the child, they could hold a huge lollipop while wearing a fancy velvet outfit- a la Veruca Salt. Or a party dress with a crown. Perfect for a cake-smash type photo. If the child has an older birthday, perhaps a cupcake to celebrate.
As for an adult (because let’s face it, we want to have fun too), maybe a fluffy pink dress, something with sparkles, or vintage suspenders and a bowtie.
I haven’t thought of many other ideas; I just want to do a photo session with this backdrop.
Anyone? Anybody?
Lemon drops, swizzle sticks, and gumballs, Oh My!
Wooden Crates
This one could go either way- kids or adults. It’s not a huge size, 1-2 children at best. When I first unrolled it, I immediately thought of Indiana Jones. Your little one could pop on an adventure hat and khaki pants with a matching shirt or explorer vest. Does he/she have a favorite stuffed animal? A zoo keeper theme could be fun.
Adults can get in on this theme, too. Wearing a khaki outfit and holding their cat or bird. Western cowboy or a farmer, too.
This backdrop has tons of possibilities.
Wooden crates for a western theme portrait session.
Fall Leaves
This one felt very childlike and would be sweet for an autumnal photo session. As summer winds down and the air gets a chill, photo sessions seem to be on everyone’s “to-do list.” Toss a cozy sweater on the littles, and we can do a fall-themed portrait session. This backdrop is tall, so it’s great for a standing photo. Three little ones would fit, but it’d be tight. It’s a tall backdrop, but not extremely wide. *It’s so tall I could not back up far enough to get the whole scene on camera inside the room I was in.
Big tree with lots of falling leaves.
Springtime
This is a really cute backdrop, complete with a potting bench in the background. This would make a cute portrait for spring and summer. Overalls with a sunhat and potted flower in the hands of a little one. Mother’s Day portraits of the little ones? Yes, please! Grandma would love a photo like that too, wouldn’t she? This backdrop is a good size and can fit up to three kiddos. And, as a bonus, the grass (pictured below) can be used as the ground.
Flowers and the trees make such a cute backdrop.
Grass
This is a simple one, but fun nonetheless. It has the fun look of grass without the itchiness. This is a pretty good size backdrop and could fit a few little ones. Of course, if you want a larger portrait, we will visit the real grass outside. This can work in tandem with the Springtime backdrop (pictured above). The grass will be the ground. I like the grass one, I immediately thought of a kid reading a book while enjoying a picnic.
What would you do with a grassy backdrop?
Chalkboard Easter
Sticking with the spring theme, here’s an Easter-themed backdrop. Its colorful chalkboard feel is bright and cheery. I know chalkboard is not very trendy anymore, but this one is too cute not to share. It’s not a huge size, maybe two kiddos max. This could be a fun photo from above with the kids holding chalk and a little smear of chalk on their faces. Or sweet outfits while holding Easter baskets. Simple, yet fun.
Easter backdrop for sweet little ones.
Florals
Now, we’ll head more into the older feeling photo backdrops. The floral one gives a cottage-core vibe that is still relevant today. It feels like grandma’s wallpaper, so I would offer this to a young girl wearing a fluffy dress sitting in a vintage chair while holding a flower or small wildflower bouquet. Perhaps reading a book with a cup of tea nearby.
This could also go the opposite way and lean towards a more eerie/creepy style portrait. Victorian dress with an old stuffed bear. Black and white could give it an older feeling as well.
This is on the smaller side and would be best for a single portrait.
Mr. Bones looks very dapper in his vintage backdrop.
Wood Galore
Here are a few different wood plank backdrops. Thicker, thinner, white, and brown. These are all on the smaller side. These can be rotated to show the planks running vertically or horizontally.
Depending on which one you like, you might be able to squeeze two kids. Or a parent and child. These could be farm-themed, rustic, a simple children's portrait, or a fun backdrop for Christmas photos.
I recently did a Santa session with one and added a “curtain” to increase the width.
Fireplace Scene
This is a 2-piece backdrop, and it’s pretty big. A family of six, eight, or even ten could fit with this one. It’d be tight, but we could make it work. I think it’s cool looking and immediately thought of a holiday photo. Add a tree with lights and have everyone wear festive clothes.
Or, we could do a creepy portrait with a fun costume. Above the fireplace looks old and worn. I have many thoughts on how I could do something with this one. Still in the thinking process though.
The area I set this up in was too small, and I could not back up any further. I stuck two separate photos together to give you an idea of how it looks.
Looking back, I should have taken this one to the Santa session and stuck a big wreath above the fireplace. Face-palm.
In my defense, I went to a new place and didn’t know how big of an area I would have.
Ceiling Tile
This is a very pretty backdrop, but I have zero ideas on how to use it. I don’t want to revamp it with paint; I love it! It reminds me of an old New York apartment. It’s on the smaller side, so maybe it can work as a backdrop for a glamour portrait, waist up. I’ll get back to you on this one.
Oh, maybe a NYE portrait with a disco ball and confetti. Hmmm…
What do you think it could be used for? It looks fancy, but I’m at a loss for ideas.
Grey Bricks
I have this paper backdrop and decided to throw it in. I used to use it for my sewing shop as the background for my products. Yes, I used to have a handmade shop, that’s how I started- photographing handmade products. I don’t sell my handmade items anymore, but I still blog about all of the clothing I make. I also teach sewing tips and share the occasional free pattern.
Simple brick backdrop.
Well, that’s it. Like I said at the beginning, there are a few I didn’t photograph for this post because they need an update. It’s too cold and windy during this time of year to spray paint, so they’ll have to wait for the summer.
Would you like to see the before and after?
Which backdrop was your favorite? Or do you prefer solid fabrics instead? Either way, it’s always fun to play with new things.
I hope this post gave you some new ideas on what to expect in your portrait sessions. We can get as creative as you’d like and come up with fun ideas for yourself or your little one. As always, thanks for stopping by and hanging out. If you’d like to book a session and you’re in the High Desert or southern California area, book away! I’d love to tell your unique story.
Cheers,
Annette
