Picture Props

Personally I have a strong preference for NO PROPS... to me, it just doesn't make sense - the kids are so beautiful on their own - just being a kid - in a great setting, but usually the photos are close-up anyway, and I prefer the photos just to be them.

I would let her bring whatever toy is her favorite. We have several shots from my son when he was six with his favorite transformer. I love them because it reminds me of how much he loved playing transformers at the time. There is at least one picture with him just playing with it and another with the "finished product." I have a picture of my daughter with her favorite stuffed cat. It was a bit worn looking but it was (and still is!) her favorite stuffed toy.

Does she like to play dress up? Maybe a pic in her favorite dress-up clothes then? We did dance costume pics once too. Anything meaningful.

Do you have a special quilt maybe grama made? She could sit on it and years later she will remember it. Does she have a favorite doll? A pet? Family Bible?

This will be a sentimental photo for her to look at when she is all grown up.
Thus, to me, IF she has her favorite Lovey's and whatnot with her in the photo.... that is great.
It will be a photo of her at THAT age, and with her FAVORITE things... and that will be a nice warm and fuzzy 'story' to tell, when she is older.
ie: "remember that stuffed bear you loved? It was your best friend..."

I think, it is a snapshot in time... of her at this age. And THAT, is golden.
How she is, at this age... even if with her 'baby' favorite things and lovey's.
She is after all, going to be 5.
My son and daughter, who are 4 and 8 years old, STILL have their lovey's and sleep with them.
Childhood.
It is precious.
And sweet.

My daughter took in a little rocking chair for a photo one year and also a really cute straw hat which anna wore for one photo and was holding for another. if she has a favorite book that would be good. I understand what you mean about baby blankets but if she has a favorite soft throw type thing she would be comfortable with bring that. my kids were all in sports for what seemed at the time like forever so sports things like soccer balls, my daughter's cheerleading stuff or dance stuff. things like that would be good also. does she like to help you cook? maybe an apron and some wooden spoons and a pot. good luck

A lot of people have kids wear tutus which are kinda props. I see some who use flowers. The child will hold a flower, it's cute. I've seen some use their pets in the picture. Search through portraits sites for examples... jcpenney portraits, local photographers, etc.

My daughter has had pictures taken with a lily and a boa before and they both looked super cute. Keep it simple and make the picture about her and not so much about stuff.

We did my son's four year old pictures with his "Cars" scooter, helmet and hockey jersey. It captured him perfectly. That is his current love and his smile says it all.

a pin wheel, an artificial flower that matches her dress...that is all I can think of off the top of my head.

I am thinking beach theme. Have her wear her favorite bathing suit or summer time outfit. Bring sun glasses, beach chair, buckets w/ shovels, beach towel, beach bag, a beach ball, small blow up pool etc. That would be fun. Or you could do a birthday theme. Bring balloons, streamers, party hats, confetti, a large number 5 (cut from poster board), have her wear her favorite "Big Girl" outfit or let her dress herself that would a hoot. Maybe add a birthday crown and a few cupcakes. Decide what you want the picture to be about and bring props for that idea. What does she love to do? If it's ride her bike then bring the bike, helmet, elbow pads, box of bandaids, etc. If her favorite thing to do is play outside bring boxes of chalk, bubbles, hula hoop, jump rope, wagon, ball, roller skates etc. Hope that helps or sparks an idea for you.

I agree with those who said use her favorite things. I wouldn't use props just to have them. When my daughter turned 1, she was so into Elmo. she had a small elmo that she slept with, so we took that. when she turned 3, last year, we took these 7 small princess figurines she had gotten about 5 months earlier that she played with ALL the time. the photo lady did a great job including them in the picture. at 2, nothing really stood out that was obvious to include, so we didn't bring anything. this year is the same.