Photo Session Prop & Activity Ideas

When you're planning your photo session you have a lot to think about — outfits, location, and making sure everyone is ready to relax and have fun.

Coming up with prop ideas can feel like one more thing to figure out.

Props and simple activities can help sessions feel more natural and create photos that show your personality, hobbies, and the things you love to do together.

If you're wondering what to bring to a photo session or looking for ideas to make your photos feel more natural, these suggestions can help spark inspiration.

Props and activities for your photo sessions can bring a smile to everyone's face and add a little something extra special and uniquely you!

Families (& Pets)

Family photos don’t have to be everyone sitting still and saying “cheese.” Some of the best family photos happen when you're doing something together — playing, laughing, or enjoying a favorite activity. Bringing a few simple props can help kids stay engaged and create natural moments that really capture your family’s personality.

Check out these prop and activity ideas that work well for family photo sessions at the studio or our local Columbia, MO parks and downtown:

Families (& Pets)

Bubbles
Board Games
Water Guns or Water Balloons
Wooden Letters or a Banner spelling your family name
Chalkboards for writing fun messages or sidewalk chalk
Bicycles
Wagons
Favorite toys or stuffed animals
Favorite books
Musical instruments (guitars, drums, etc.)
Truck, camper or car
Fishing Poles
Fun blanket
A picnic basket (with snacks for the kiddos!)
Umbrellas (you never know with Missouri weather)
Favorite sports equipment (jerseys, balls, bats, team hats, etc.)
Matching sunglasses
Ice Cream (or other fun colorful snacks)
Ladder
Frame

Pet toys
Pet Bows/Bandanas
Pet Pillow
Decorated leashes (to match your outfits)
A pet friendly sign
Frisbee or ball to play with

Kids

Kids grow and change so quickly, and their sessions are a great way to capture what they love at this stage of life. Bringing a favorite toy, activity, or hobby can help them feel comfortable and make the photos more playful and natural.

Check out these prop and activity ideas that work well for kids photo sessions at the studio or our local Columbia, MO parks and downtown:

Kids

Bubbles
Board Games
Water Guns or Water Balloons
Wooden Letters or a Banner spelling your family name
Chalkboards for writing fun messages or sidewalk chalk
Bicycles
Wagons
Favorite toys or stuffed animals
Letter Blocks (spell something fun!)
Favorite books
Balloons
Musical instruments (guitars, drums, etc.)
Truck, camper or car
Fishing Poles
Fun blanket
A picnic basket (with snacks for the kiddos!)
Umbrellas (you never know with Missouri weather)
Favorite sports equipment (jerseys, balls, bats, team hats, etc.)
Matching sunglasses
Ice Cream (or other fun colorful snacks)
Ladder
Yardstick
Frame

Maternity

Maternity sessions celebrate the exciting time before your newest family member arrives. Many parents like to include small props that help tell the story of their growing family or share their excitement for the baby.

Check out these prop and activity ideas that work well for maternity photo sessions at the studio or our local Columbia, MO parks and downtown:

Materniy

Date cards
Message cards
Baby shoes
Blocks (Spell baby's name?)
Ultrasound image
Cute onesie
Chalkboard or Message board
Baby toy
Ribbon/Bow
Baby book
Favorite pregnancy snack
Balloons (color for gender reveal)

Fresh 48/Newborn

Fresh 48 and newborn sessions focus on the tiny details and those first moments with your new baby. Simple props can help highlight your baby’s personality and preserve memories from those first special days.

Check out these prop and activity ideas that work well for newborn photo sessions at the studio, your home or the hospital:

Fresh 48/Newborn

Onesies with a message
Favorite blankets
Swaddle blankets in cute colors
Flowers & gifts from family members
Favorite toys
Snacks (baby bottle!)
baskets
Themed sports equipment
Your wedding rings
Books
Signs from the nursery
Bows, Headbands or Hats
Pillows
Hospital bracelet
Blocks (with name or dob)

Friends

Friend sessions are all about celebrating your friendships and having fun together. Props and activities can help bring out genuine laughter and capture the personalities that make your group unique.

Check out these prop and activity ideas that work well for group photo sessions at the studio or our local Columbia, MO parks and downtown:

Friends

Bubbles
Board Games
Water Guns or Water Balloons
Chalkboards for writing fun messages
Bicycles
Balloons
Musical instruments (guitars, drums, etc.)
Truck, camper or car
Fishing Poles
Fun blanket
A picnic basket (with snacks or drinks)
Wine or champagne
Umbrellas (you never know with Missouri weather)
Favorite sports equipment (jerseys, balls, bats, team hats, etc.)
Matching sunglasses
Fun matching hats
Matching jackets or shirts
Ice Cream (or other fun colorful snacks)
Sorority gear
Prom accessories (corsages, boutonnieres, etc)
Your fur friends and their outfits!

Graduation/Seniors

Senior and graduation sessions celebrate a major milestone. Bringing props related to your hobbies, school activities, or future plans can help tell the story of this exciting moment in your life.

Check out these prop and activity ideas that work well for high school and college graduation photo sessions at the studio or our local Columbia, MO parks and downtown:

Graduation/Seniors

Cap & gown
Decorated cap
Grad cap tassel
Diploma
Books
Chalkboards for writing fun messages
Balloons
Gear from your college, grad school or upcoming job
Musical instruments (guitars, drums, etc.)
Truck, camper or car
Fishing Poles
Fun blanket
Confetti, confetti canons, or glitter
Champagne
Umbrellas (you never know with Missouri weather)
Cute hats
Favorite sports equipment (jerseys, balls, bats, team hats, etc.)
Letter or club jackets
Ice Cream (or other fun colorful snacks)
Sorority gear
Prom accessories (corsages, boutonnieres, etc)
Your fur friends and their outfits!

Branding & Headshots

Branding sessions are a chance to visually tell the story of your business. Props that represent your work, tools, or creative process help create photos that feel authentic and show clients what makes your business unique.

Check out these prop and activity ideas that work well for branding and headshot sessions at the studio or our local Columbia, MO parks and downtown:

Branding & Headshots

Computer, tablet or phone
Branded products
The products you create or sell
A product in process of creation
Tools of your trade (what you use to create your products or services)
Flowers
Blankets
Confetti
Gifts you give your clients
Coffee, water, wine or other drink
Snacks
Planner or notebook
Pens & pencils
Office supplies (paperclips, cute mouse pad, etc.)
Materials you would use to plan with your clients
Inspirational signs or decor
Resources you use for your business (books, podcast, calendar etc.)
Sunglasses or glasses
Hat
Candles
Bubbles
Items that are part of your routine to prepare for work
Anything else that helps tell your business story!

Engagements/Couples

Engagement and couples sessions are all about capturing your relationship and the things you love doing together. Including meaningful props or shared hobbies can make the session feel more personal and tell a little piece of your love story.

Check out these prop and activity ideas that work well for engagement and couples photo sessions at the studio or our local Columbia, MO parks and downtown:

Engagemets/Couples