Duck Week is back. Because honestly, how could it not be?
If you’ve spent any time in my studio, you’ll already know the duck. He started life as a simple tub splash prop and somehow became part of the furniture. Babies adore him, parents recognise him instantly, and he has quietly featured in more photographs than most people realise. He’s playful, familiar, and just a little bit ridiculous, which makes him perfect.
Last year’s Duck Week was such unexpected fun that it felt only right to do it again. What began as a lighthearted celebration of a much-loved studio prop turned into a week of creativity, silliness, and gentle nostalgia. There were books, films, artwork, and more than a few questionable design decisions. It turns out people really like ducks.
So this is Duck Week 2. Back to the pond.
This time around, the duck is stretching his wings a little further. There’s new artwork, new games, new printables, and plenty of familiar yellow chaos along the way. It’s part celebration, part excuse to play, and part reminder that photography studios are allowed to have personalities too.
Welcome back to the pond!
A Bit of History
Long before he became a cinematic icon or a recurring studio personality, the rubber duck had much humbler beginnings.
The earliest versions appeared in the late 1800s, made from hard rubber and designed more as chew toys than bath companions. They didn’t float. They didn’t squeak. They were, frankly, not living their best lives. It wasn’t until the 1940s, with the introduction of softer plastics, that the cheerful yellow duck we recognise today finally found his natural habitat. The bath.
By the 1970s, the rubber duck had fully entered popular culture. When Ernie sang Rubber Duckie on Sesame Street, the duck stopped being just a toy and became a symbol of childhood itself. Comforting, familiar, and quietly joyful.
That legacy is what our studio duck waddled into. He may have arrived as a simple tub splash prop, but he carries all that nostalgia with him. He’s a tiny nod to shared memories, gentle routines, and the kind of childhood details that stick around far longer than we expect.
Which is probably why people smile the moment they see him.
Duck Week, On Paper
Not everything in Duck Week lives on a screen. This year’s pond has expanded to include a growing collection of duck-themed printables. Colouring pages, games, puzzles, and a few things that exist purely because they made me smile while designing them. They’re designed to be easy, lighthearted, and perfect for quiet moments, rainy afternoons, or keeping small hands busy while dinner happens.
If you fancy taking a little piece of Duck Week home, you’ll find all of the printables gathered together over on Pinterest.
Duck, In His Natural Habitat
For all the film posters, artwork, and creative chaos, this is where the duck really shines. In sessions, he’s quietly brilliant. He sits just out of frame until he’s needed, floats exactly where he’s placed, and somehow earns instant trust from even the most serious little bathers. Babies reach for him. Parents smile when they spot him. He does his job without fuss.
These are a few moments from real tub splash sessions over the years. No styling. No art direction. Just a well-loved studio duck doing what he does best.
A true professional.
Ultimate First Birthday Photo Guide
Make your first birthday photos unforgettable! Discover how to prepare, outfit tips, cake selection hints, and info on what to expect at your cake smash and / or tub splash photo session with my article series…
First Birthday Photo Shoots in East Grinstead
Celebrate your baby’s first birthday with a session designed to suit you! Choose the Mini First Birthday Shoot for a simple and sweet session featuring your little one in one outfit against a single backdrop, complete your favourite image for just £45. For an all-inclusive experience, opt for the Full First Birthday Shoot, where we’ll capture your baby’s cake smash, a fun tub splash, and even family or sibling moments, all with three digital images included for £95. Let’s make their first birthday unforgettable—book your session today!
