What my toddler wore to her Yearbook Creative Photoshoot

When I had my creative photoshoot in college, I practically wore the first outfit I found in the mall. It was after the photos were printed when I realised I was a mess and unprepared for the photoshoot.

This whole Yearbook Creative Photoshoot was yet another mom-challenge. For someone who’s okay to wear the simplest of clothes and has lost the urge to take photos of herself, preparing my toddler’s costume for a photoshoot was yet another surprise to this whole parenting journey.

Mom-and-daughter collab

With only a few weeks before my toddler’s yearbook photoshoot, I asked her on what she’d be happy to wear for the photoshoot which meant explaining to her what a photoshoot was. In the beginning, she was set on wearing a Donnie costume from Super Wings. Basically, it’s an aircraft that transforms into a robot. I tried to look for some costume suggestion online. If I was lucky I could make my daughter a yellow box with a blue mask and that was it! Not even close to what it really should look like. (I kind of learned a thing or two from the Doc McStuffins theme birthday party – DIYs, NOT EASY!)

So, to give my toddler an idea on what’s doable for a costume I pulled out a yearbook on display at school and simply showed her those cute creative photoshoots of other children. She skipped a few pages until she got excited about the Barbie guitar. Of course! She wanted to be in the band, inspired by this song in an app! From a robot aircraft, my life went easier with just finding a Barbie electric guitar, which by the way I have no clue where to find! NICE!

Creativity on a budget

That yearbook was a life saver. Some parents really went over the top with not just the costumes but with the props as well. But it wasn’t really that obvious in the photos until I got the waver from school saying you need to inform the school if you’re planning to bring larger than life props! I mean, wow! Really? Do parents go on a complete production number on this? I didn’t even know you need a backdrop for the whole thing! My Barbie guitar hunt quickly escalated to what-other-props-should-I-bring mom problem! And did I mention here, the photoshoot is in 3 days?

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

There’s no way I’m going to fuss about the backdrop and props just to complete the whole band look. With just a day or two before the event, it just suddenly dawned on me: Why not be a rockstar on tour?! We got those Ikea storage luggage boxes, the leather jacket, and that wooden party nameplate! Whole look? Done!

Nothing is complete without a smile

Asking toddlers to smile for the photos requires mastery skills in bribery and manipulation. However, when there’s a costume involved, it’s a whole different story. As I think about the whole photoshoot experience, I realised that I have spent more time explaining to her the importance of the photoshoot and giving her an idea on what to expect. So, far this strategy has been super effective. She rocked the photo shoot like a real rockstar!

There are more stories coming because this Momma got time!

Please don’t forget to follow this blog for more parenthood and work-from-home related stories and tips!