Donuts and bright Balloons!!

I decided it was time I got a bit more creative with props this weekend. I had a lovely client/friend of mine with two slightly older children and a baby and I was all too aware that the older ones may have more inhibitions than the carefree toddlers I am more akin to.

The key to their hearts had to be a tasty snack so I (errr... no, my lovely husband) got baking some donuts. Mercy, my daughter, got decorating with pretty sprinkles...  and I ordered some bright helium balloons which I soon learnt when left in a hot car, deflate quite quickly!

Luckily for me, the children were beautifully confident and were excited about having their photos taken. They were aware of themselves, but not precociously so. They responded when they needed to and allowed themselves to have fun which added to the personality of the pictures. So I didn't need to feed them, but I definitely became their best friend when I opened the tin of donuts for a mini break! They had bites in them before I even had a chance to take a photo! Even the little one year old tucked in.

The balloons were more of a hindrance than a help on the shoot. Firstly, every other child in the park had a sudden keen interest in what was going on in our direction and wherever we went, we needed to ensure the balloons didn't wander off in the next gust of wind! They aren't the smallest prop, but the children loved them and the results weren't bad either.

So Donuts and balloons are fun, but next time I will remember to take the picture before the food disappears and I won't leave helium balloons in a hot place!