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My mom’s birthday is the day after Valentine’s Day, and I think I know the perfect gift: a V-Day themed photo album featuring her favorite person, my 23-month-old son. Lucky for me, the What to Expect Community is full of Valentine’s Day photoshoot ideas. Thank you, fellow mamas.
From leaving lipstick marks on your little one’s cheeks to stocking up on foil heart-shaped balloons, there’s no shortage of inspiration and sweetness if you’re looking to create a similar keepsake for the loveliest of holidays. Most of these are easy and relatively affordable to recreate, plus you might already have some of the recommended items at home.
1. Take your love to new heights
Moms Tamara and Red dressed their daughter in a heart sweater and skirt from Target and blew up a few balloons from Amazon to float around her. The secret to suspending those balloons to fit perfectly in the frame? Balloon glue dots to help them stay together! “This photoshoot captured such a sweet stage in our daughter’s life — full of love, curiosity, and joy,” they say. “It was a simple at-home setup that turned into one of our favorite Valentine’s memories.”
2. Snuggle up with your little Valentine
For her son Cashton’s first Valentine’s Day, Valerie Coon sourced a red beanie and overalls with a heart pocket from Zara and tucked her little one into bed. “As a mom of three, I try to make every holiday feel magical, and it’s something my own mom always did for me,” she says. One idea to ensure you get a big smile like Cashton’s? Have your partner or a sibling there to make faces and funny sounds while you snap as many photos as possible.
3. Create your own kissing booth
Natalie Johnstone of Blush & Willow Photography relied on a plain paper backdrop, foil heart balloons in three colors, and heart-shaped confetti for this holiday mini-shoot. Fabric tape allowed her to design the heart-filled display behind this adorable tot. P.S. I think I found the same “Kisses 25¢” sweater featured in the photo.
4. Smother your baby in smooches
What to Expect mom Kirstie put on red lipstick before covering her daughter, Lucia, in kisses. This quintessential Valentine’s Day photo was made even more adorable with a two-piece hat and dress set. As a single mom with a little one, she used a parent-favorite product to keep Lucia propped up and comfortable: “Our Boppy made sure she stayed in place safely,” she says. “Having photographs and taking them is the frozen moment I get to have forever of her on that day.”
5. Peek into sibling storytime
Does it get any cuter than a big sibling reading to your baby? What to Expect mom deluxeee took this candid photo as her older son was flipping through Susan Lang’s book Grumpy Monkey Valentine Gross-Out, with his younger sibling by his side. If you can, ask your big kid to pick out a favorite Valentine’s Day story and have your camera ready to copy this casual setup.
6. Order an on-trend knit sweater set
Personalized sweater sets are too cute, and this Valentine’s Day-themed set is perfectly embroidered for the holiday. This set from Walmart looks just like the outfit a very sleepy baby wore in WTE mom’s sof7872’s photoshoot. After you secure the perfect outfit, just lay out a white sheet (or go with whatever is already on your bed) and snap away.
7. Sprinkle the floor with sprinkle cookies
WTE mom sarahsnf scattered teeny-tiny cookies all over her daughter’s blanket and even on her baby’s heart-covered overalls, placed her down on the blanket, and snapped away. You can pick up the outfit at Carter’s, and if you don’t feel like running to the store for the pre-made cookies, you can make your own using this Lofthouse-style cookie recipe.
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