How We Styled & Set Up Our Valentine’s Day Toddler Photoshoot at Home

Last year, I decided to do a Valentine’s Day photoshoot at home for my toddler, who was 20 months old at the time. I’ve always loved capturing these little seasonal moments, and Valentine’s Day felt like the perfect excuse to slow down and document that stage of life — even if it came with a little chaos.

The Outfit Plan (And the Reality)

I kept the outfit plan pretty simple. He wore jeans with a white button-down shirt, which ended up being the main look for most of the photos. It was classic, clean, and easy to style around.

Toward the very end of the shoot, I switched him into a “lovebug” sweater for a few final shots. It was a small change, but it added a playful Valentine touch that felt perfect for his age.

We did attempt to add a beanie to the look… but that idea didn’t last long. He was not having it, and I quickly learned that toddler photoshoots are all about choosing your battles.

Props That Came Together Last Minute

I didn’t overthink the props, but they made such a difference in the final photos. We used:

• a Valentine’s balloon

• roses we picked up the morning of the shoot

• heart-shaped petals for texture and movement

Everything was easy to grab, easy to clean up, and toddler-friendly — which mattered more than anything.

Our Simple At-Home Setup

The entire shoot was done at home, which made it so much less stressful. I set up:

• a white backdrop using a backdrop holder

• a red fuzzy blanket for warmth and color

• an XOXO and pom-pom banner to tie it all together

Having everything ready in one spot meant we could move quickly, take breaks when needed, and let him be himself.

Looking Back on It Now

Looking back, those photos mean more to me than I expected. They captured a season where he was curious, busy, and still so little. The shoot wasn’t perfect — and it wasn’t meant to be.

If there’s one thing last year’s Valentine’s Day photoshoot reminded me, it’s that these moments pass quickly. Sometimes the best memories come from doing something simple at home, just because you can.

What I Purchased for This Valentine’s Day Photoshoot

I wanted to keep this photoshoot simple, affordable, and easy to recreate at home. Most of what I used was budget-friendly and easy to repurpose for future holidays or photoshoots. I have a curated list on amazon.

Here’s everything I purchased or used for last year’s Valentine’s Day setup:

Outfits

• White button-down shirt

• Toddler jeans

• “Lovebug” sweater

• Beanie

Props

• Valentine’s Day balloon

• Roses (picked up the morning of the shoot)

• Heart-shaped petals

Backdrop & Decor

• White backdrop paper

• White backdrop fabric

• Backdrop stand/holder

• Red fuzzy blanket

• XOXO and pom-pom banner

Tip: I love choosing neutral base pieces (like the white backdrop and backdrop stand) that can be reused for multiple holidays, milestones, or seasonal shoots throughout the year.