This two month milestone for my niece will forever be in my memory! Capturing baby milestones is a joyous tradition that allows parents to document their child’s growth creatively and memorably. SarahLovesSparkles is on a journey through the ladies of Disney for her daughter. This month, we chose a theme inspired by the Disney classic Beauty and the Beast. As baby Star’s Aunt Heather, I built the magical set that transformed our garage into a gothic fairy tale. Here’s how we made this photoshoot fun, easy, and beautiful.
Creating the Two Month Milestone Scene
The key to a successful themed photoshoot is in the details. We wanted to bring the elegance and charm of Beauty and the Beast to life with simple, yet striking elements. So watch for fun details like a teapot, classic books, and real rose petals.
My favorite element of the shoot is actually funny. The cushion I set my niece up on resembles the footstool in the movie. Its colors are right, and it has details of the frills you can find swinging on the dog companion. This part was the bottom cushion from the throne DIY project I did years ago, and it got to see new life in this photoshoot.
The Perfect Outfit: A Mini Belle
Sarah dressed her daughter in an adorable yellow gown that perfectly mirrored Belle’s iconic dress for her two month milestone pictures. The gown was comfortable for the baby and stunning in the photos. She looked through all of her options before landing on the one that made the right statement. We love its realistic value over the cartoon look of traditional costumes. It feels like a real version of the Disney classic, which is so cool! The dress is one of Sarah’s Amazon finds.
The Custom Throne: My Old DIY
One of the highlights of our setup was the custom throne prop I crafted. Using some DIY skills and an old chair from the thrift store, I created a throne that added a regal touch to the scene. I’ve used it for so many things like parties, other photoshoots, and Halloween, but this was by far my favorite moment with this old chair.
Setting the Two Month Milestone Set
We wanted the scene to reflect the enchanted castle from the movie, complete with character references and more. Here’s a list of items we used to create the scene, all available on Amazon:
Disclosure: These are Amazon Affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them.
- Yellow Gown: First, a baby-sized version of Belle’s dress is a must for a Beauty and the Beast theme.
Yellow Dress: https://amzn.to/3LUFrCJ
- Grimm’s Fairy Tales Books: Also, you can’t have Beauty and the Beast without including old books. I like these books because they are classic, helped birth the idea of the film, and seem like other tales Belle herself might enjoy.
Books: https://amzn.to/3WvXtBg
- Flooring: Next, I laid a small, simple rug to decorate the set, and this made the pictures look all the more complete. The rug has a regal feel, and I use it to decorate my home otherwise.
- Flameless candles: In addition, an important part of this photo shoot was using flameless candles to bring the viewer back in time. Flameless candles feel safer than the real thing, especially around a wiggly baby, but they still give the right illusion.
Candles: https://a.co/d/7Kj32FT
- Teapot: This is one of the most vital parts of resembling Beauty and the Beast. A teapot like this resembles the famous character Mrs. Pots.
Teapot: https://a.co/d/ayEloFZ
- Dessert Cover: Additionally, thinking outside the box for the rose detail is a cheaper alternative than a real flower case. This dessert cover is the perfect shape to balance a real rose and gives the classic storytelling element of life.
Rose Cover: https://a.co/d/bizoZ9m
- Gold Drapped Fabric: In addition, I used some fabric to draw in the background of these pictures to give more dimension to the distance of our subject. The faric is sheer so you can see where it is layered for even more dimension.
Golden Fabric: https://a.co/d/3HhGveu
- Black Backdrop: Finally, this set’s base is a simple, large black backdrop because every good DIY photoshoot needs a perfect base.
Backdrop: https://a.co/d/9L1DxFI
How We Did It: Two Month Milestone Fun and Easy Steps
Setting up the scene was both fun and straightforward. Here’s how we did it:
- Start with the Background: First, place the black backdrop so that it covers the back and ground of the area you will shoot in. Make sure the area you choose has good lighting so that your subject really pops.
- Set Up the Throne: Then place the throne or other decorative chair in the center of your chosen area and flip it on its side, removing the bottom cushion as a space for the baby. This fallen look is perfect for representing the Beast’s anger.
- Decorate the Backdrop: Next, hang the drapes and position the props around the area to create a scene with the cushion as the center point.
- Add the Details: Additionally, place the rose in its dome and arrange petals around the scene.
- Dress The Baby: Dress your baby in their themed outfit. Make sure it’s comfortable and fits well.
- Get the Baby Comfortable: Make sure the baby is well-fed and rested before you start taking photos.
- Capture the Moment: In addition, use natural light if possible and take pictures from different angles to get a variety of shots. If your baby is young the expect a lot of shots to be taken from above as they lay, move or sleep on their back.
Final Thoughts: Making Two Month Milestone Memories
Creating this Beauty and the Beast-themed photoshoot for Sarah’s daughter’s two month milestone was a delightful experience. It’s amazing how a few well-chosen items and a bit of creativity can transform a simple space into a magical scene. These photos will serve as cherished memories of her early months, celebrating her growth.
In conclusion, whether this theme inspires you or you have your own ideas, remember that the most important element is the love and joy you put into capturing these precious moments. Don’t miss baby Star’s last month photoshoot as Aurora or her next month as Moana.