14 Valentine’s Day Photo Shoot Ideas

Date Night

A classic Valentine’s Day photo shoot option is to have a date night theme. It could incorporate roses, red clothes, a themed backdrop, a candlelight dinner or chocolate to help set the mood. Also, touching looks and candid laughs can create that Valentine’s Day energy more than any props would be able to. Another possibility would be to incorporate a getting-ready-together-before-the-date playful vibe into these photos.

Chocolate in Bed

Get some chocolates and display and eat them while in bed. One option would be having them in a heart-shaped box that’s held while the pictures are taken. To enhance these shots, place Valentine’s Day-themed wallpaper on the walls or red balloons around the bed. Also, satin or silk sheets, especially if they’re deep red, can really add a classy element to the scene. Velvet throw pillows are another option that could really work well.

Chocolates Forming a Heart

You could also have chocolates take center stage by having them arranged in an artistic way. A common way to do this would be placing them next to each other so that they draw out a heart.

In fact, you can make that heart shape with all kinds of items. Strawberries are an option. Maybe chocolate-covered pretzels. In fact, sushi rolls used for this purpose work much better than you may have realized.

Heart-Shaped Balloons

Heart-shaped balloons can be added to any Valentine’s photo shoot idea. Perhaps you want to hold one to keep the scene simple. A few as background options would create a fun atmosphere. Meanwhile, a dozen could overwhelm the frame in a good way. As for their color, you can, of course, use all red balloons while pink-and-white ones could even more closely fit the mood that you’re going for.

You can also utilize other heart-shaped props, such as frames, sunglasses and conversation-heart candies.

Red Roses

Red roses are amongst the most famous symbols of love, dating to their connections with Aphrodite and Venus. They can be the focus of a Valentine’s photo shoot while they also work well in an accompanying role. Also keep in mind that you don’t necessarily need to use real red roses for your photo session. Timeless photographs can also be taken with faux red roses.

Red Confetti

Anything red enhances Valentine’s Day photography efforts, and red confetti is another option that you can take advantage of. It can be blown or tossed, or you could have someone above gently release it to create a magical image. You can also add body glitter to round out the Valentine’s Day setting.

Note that you may want to ensure that a trash bag or other floor covering is below where it will fall to simplify cleanup.

Valentine’s Kiss

A couple kissing can result in the realization of one of the most classic Valentine’s Day photo shoot ideas. This setting’s enhanced if one or both people are wearing red. A cute option would be to have them jointly holding a heart in front of them when they kiss. Also keep in mind that this can be a forehead kiss or a cheek kiss; those work really well too. So can showing the eye contact that happens just before the kiss.

Surprising Them With Gifts

So often, quality professional photographers are setting up intentional scenes, and one that fits Valentine’s Day sessions well shows one of the partners surprising the other with gifts. For example, they could be holding a box with red wrapping paper and a bouquet of roses behind their back, and you could have that be the focus of the image with the recipient in the background. Or you could show one of them excitedly opening their gifts.

Favorite Activities

A photo shoot can show the couple doing one of their favorite activities together, something that’s deeply personal to them. Maybe they’re cooking together, going for a walk on the beach, dancing, spending movie night together or painting. These images don’t necessarily need to have Valentine’s Day imagery. Perhaps the intent is more so to capture the spirit of the holiday than having red hearts visible in the shots.

Black and White

Whether you’re looking to do a glamour photo shoot or simply one that’s artistic in nature, having it be black and white can look so good. This photo shoot inspiration can result in timeless, intimate shots that look cinematic. Just make sure that you focus more so on the use of light and shadows when you do this, and know that the textures shown will be essential to the quality of these images.

Also consider having one red element, such as a rose, heels or lipstick, to provide some splash in otherwise black-and-white photos.

Golden Hour

Photo shoots that are done outside around sunrise or sunset provide the ability to shoot at golden hour, which can really enhance these lifestyle photography images. Perhaps have the couple be shown as romantic silhouettes walking hand-in-hand on the beach at this time of day. Regardless of what’s being shown, the soft tones of golden hour will help create the spirit of Valentine’s Day in what will be amazing photos.

From Behind

Shooting the couple from behind can result in heartwarming romantic images. Perhaps they’re sharing a kiss, touching their foreheads or holding hands. One resting their head on the other’s shoulder can look so good too. All of these from-behind images create an intimate setting, like we’re being invited into private moments. Incorporating Valentine’s Day props into these types of mini sessions can enhance these shots, but they’re not necessary.

Boudoir Photo Shoot

Boudoir portraits can also fit a Valentine’s Day-themed photo shoot well as they’re intimate and sensual. If you’re looking to do a boudoir photo shoot, consider experimenting with soft lighting while using props that fit the day. Also keep in mind that this doesn’t have to take place inside. For example, beach boudoir shots are another option. In any case, you may want to focus on lace and shadows while creating these types of images.

Love Letter

A love letter can be an intimate part of the set design of a Valentine’s Day photo shoot. Consider having the subject read it while smiling or showing the couple hugging with the card being prominent in the shot. A classic look can be to have it placed next to an envelope and pen on a desk and have it be the image’s sole focus. The scene could also be enhanced with props such as red hanging hearts.

Conclusion

A Valentine’s Day photo shoot can be an unforgettable experience, whether you use a Miami photographer or do it yourself.

Are you considering any of these options? Which ones are your favorites? Or perhaps you have your own ideas that aren’t on this list.