Listen, little kids don’t own the exclusive rights on commemorating birthdays with a photoshoot. (Although, I do have some classy ideas for children in this blog, too.) These days, people are loving 21st birthday photoshoot ideas and even doing 30th birthday photoshoots—but how do you do it in a classy way?
If photography wasn’t my side gig, party planning might be. I have lots of experience creating party concepts that use creative photo ops. I have a core belief that people deserve to feel celebrated, so whether you’re creating a party photo backdrop or planning a birthday shoot, here are my top tips and ideas for classy birthday photoshoot concepts:
Consider Your Birthday Concept
You can go on Etsy and find a giant photo backdrop for just about any theme you can think of. In the examples below, the James Bond concept provided a perfect opportunity for a classy birthday photoshoot.
So if you’re wanting a classy photoshoot—as you conceptualize your party—consider how that theme will influence how the guests dress and what dish or drink they might bring. If you want some pictures with you and your friends dressed to the nines, maybe don’t throw a white trash bash.
Personally, intimate, unstaged photos with my friends are some of my most treasured images. Backyard picnics, wine tastings, and dinner parties create a beautiful, classy setting for natural photos of you and your friends gathered together. All you’d have to do is hire a photographer.
Along those lines, if you’re throwing a party for a child, there are ways to make that classy, too! You don’t have to do arts and crafts or fill party favor bags with dollar store toys. I’ve taken some party décor from Rifle Paper Company and worked it into a “Spirit” (the horse) theme for my little girl. (I’ve also been known to hire a cocktail artist at my daughter’s birthday party to ensure the adults have a good time. Judge if you want.)
Balloon Numbers
One of the most popular birthday photoshoot concepts you’ll see are the big, shiny numbered balloons. That’s because nothing screams celebration like balloons! They’re an easy, affordable way to make a statement in a birthday-themed photoshoot. This perfect prop is cute for little kids, and classy for teens and adults.
One tip from experience: If you’re working with these balloons outdoors, the slightest breeze can become your worst nightmare. Be prepared for the challenge of keeping the numbers facing the right direction.
I once did a maternity shoot with a family of four, and trying to keep the kiddos looking at me while fighting to catch the number the right way was stressful. I ended up using Photoshop to fix it later. It’s an easier photoshoot concept to do indoors or with older kids and adults.
Death to My 20s / Funeral for My Youth
Absolutely loved creating the funeral of Becca’s dreams for her 30th birthday photoshoot! We rented out Scarritt Bennett in Nashville (for a relatively modest fee of $150) and did a Portrait Session where she bid her twenties farewell. The location, that dress, and her striking femininity all came together at dusk for pure magic.
Mural Photoshoot
A fun way to capture your personality in a bold, creative way is a mural photoshoot. If you live in a big city like Nashville, it’s easy to bounce around town to different neighborhoods and get a variety of different looks. Check out my comprehensive guide to Nashville murals here.
Classy Photos with Your Pets
Photos with your four-legged friends don’t have to be overly cutesy. With the right photographer and a classy setting, creating images with your pets could really become a meaningful work of art.
Model for the Day
What better way to celebrate the stage of life you’re in than to capture you looking your most confident? That might mean getting your hair and makeup done professionally or renting a dress that makes a statement. Whatever you decide to wear, tell your photographer to get up close and personal. Get some shots where you’re tucking your hair behind an ear with a coy smile. Do a twirl in a flowy dress.
Whatever you do, don’t be nervous to sparkle. I think women spend so much energy trying to make sure everyone else is comfortable with who we are, that sometimes we forget to find comfort in our own skin. Like supermodel Tyra Banks once said, “Never dull your shine for somebody else.” This is your birthday shoot, so let’s capture you at your best.
Fresh Flowers
Nothing says “happy birthday, beautiful” like bunches of fresh, bright flowers. You can look like a Pinterest model and get a flower crown custom-made, or find a local flower shop, give them some business, and pose in their space—like this one in Nashville:
Cake Smash
Who doesn’t love a chubby baby covered in frosting? But we can be tasteful about it (no pun intended)—see below. A cake smash photoshoot will commemorate your child’s silliness for the rest of their life. These pictures will absolutely come out at their wedding rehearsal dinner! Plus, it’s a great way to capture how beautiful that expensive birthday cake was before it’s destroyed. (Seriously, why are party desserts so expensive these days?)
Tip: This would be even funnier with an adult.
Your Favorite Snacks
Do all your friends know you love pizza? Or that you can’t get enough Starbucks, or wine? Or even that, in the case of the little guy below, your family’s pierogi tradition runs deep? Don’t be afraid to brainstorm ideas around your favorite foods for your birthday photoshoot.
Bonus: Your photographer will love you. A photoshoot is always better with snacks. (Especially if it’s wine.)
