Valentine's Day Portrait Session Tips

Valentine's Day is a special day to celebrate love, and what better way to show your loved ones how much you care than by capturing this moment in their life? If you have young children or you're a photographer, this is a great opportunity to get them involved in the holiday by having them sit for Valentine's Day portraits. Here are a few tips to help you get started.

Choose the right outfit.

What your client or child wears in their portrait can make or break the photo. You want to avoid anything too busy or with logos, as these can be distracting. Instead, opt for solid colors, simple patterns or textures. If you're not sure what will work, bring along a few different outfit options and let the photographer help you choose. You should also avoid having children wear anything that they're not comfortable in. If they're uncomfortable, it will show in the photo.

Consider the background.

The background of your Valentine's Day portrait is just as important as the foreground. You also want to make sure that the background compliments the child's outfit. For example, if your child is wearing a red dress, you might want to consider a pink or white photography background. You might also want to consider getting a backdrop with a Valentine's Day theme. That way, your photos will be even more festive. Here at HSD Backdrops, we offer a large variety of Valentine's Day backdrops. Make sure you get one that's big enough to fit all of your kids/clients in the photo. How old is the child? Do you want something fun and colorful for younger children? Or a solid or fine art backdrop for older children or couples? What is the height of the tallest person you plan to shoot the backdrop with? And how many people max? This will give you an idea of what size photo backdrop you will need. An 8'x5' backdrop is a very popular size for small children. For older children, consider an 8'x6' or 10'x8' backdrop. For couples, our 8'x12' sweeps (backdrop and floor combo) will give you enough room. 

Buy your backdrop early

If you're planning on setting up a Valentine's Day session for your kids or photography studio cleints, make sure you buy your backdrop early. That way, you'll have plenty of time to set it up and test it out. We cannot stress this enough. Be sure to buy early. After Christmas, USPS is congested with holiday returns. This is the time that most people are purchasing their Valentine's Day backdrops and may experience some shipping delays. Consider selecting UPS at checkout or buying your backdrop before Christmas. 

Use props wisely.

A few well-chosen props can really help to set the scene and make your child's portrait more interesting. It will also add some depth to the backdrop. But beware of going overboard - too many props can be distracting and make the picture look cluttered. Just a few props will due. And be sure to choose props that complement your child's outfit and the overall theme of the portrait. A few Valentine-themed props could include a heart-shaped pillow, box of chocolates, a bouquet of flowers, or a stuffed animal.

Let children be themselves.

The best way to get a great Valentine's Day portrait of your child is to let them be themselves. Try not to rush them before the session or they'll be stressed. If you've chosen an outfit that they refuse to wear, explain to them that these portraits are very special to you. Ask them if they would do you the favor of wearing it for a short period of time as a Valentine's Day gift to you. If they're happy and laughing, that's what will come through in the photo. If they're shy or serious, that's okay too. Just let them be themselves and capture their personality.