Balloons are one of those props that just work. They add colour, a sense of celebration, and something for your baby to actually engage with, which is half the battle at this age.
They’re also really versatile. Depending on how you use them, they can be a backdrop, a foreground detail, or an interactive element in their own right. Watching a one-year-old reach for a balloon, bat it away, or stare at it in complete fascination makes for some of the best natural expressions of the session.
Ways to use balloons in your session
Balloon garlands or arches. A garland fixed to the wall behind your baby creates a really lovely backdrop and frames the whole setup nicely.
Floating balloons. Helium balloons tied to the cake table or floating in the background add a festive touch without taking over the frame.
Themed balloons. Animal shapes, stars, and other themed balloons can tie into your colour scheme nicely. One word of caution on number ‘1’ balloons: they’re usually much taller than your baby and tend to sit at an angle, so you often just see the bottom of them in the images. Worth knowing before you commit.
Loose balloons. A few balloons placed around your baby for them to grab, poke, and play with. Simple and effective.
A few practical tips
If you’re bringing your own balloons, letting me know your colour scheme ahead of the session helps me make sure everything works together. And it’s always worth bringing a couple of spares in case anything pops before we’re done.
A note on safety
Balloons are always managed carefully in the studio. Any balloons near your baby will be supervised throughout, and anything that could be a hazard will be kept well out of reach.
If you have ideas for your balloon setup, share them when you book and we can plan it from there.
