5 Easy Tips When Deciding What to Wear for Pictures

Shirts hanging on a rack for the discussion of what to wear for pictures

Outfits for your portrait session- what to wear For Pictures

You’ve put in the time and investment to schedule a portrait session! Good for you! Now I want to help you choose a wardrobe that will give you exactly the kind of portraits you are hoping for. Follow these simple steps and choosing your session outfits will be a breeze!

#1: Color Scheme

What mood are you looking for in these photos? Your outfits will play a HUGE role in creating the tones of your portratis.

If you are wanting something light and airy, you need to choose light, neutral colored outfits. If you’re looking for something more deep and vibrant, you are going to need to choose deeper, more vibrant colors.

If you aren’t sure yet what vibe you would like from your photos, check out Instagram or Pinterest. Start looking around and compile a small group of photos that you really love. What do they have in common? From there, you’re welcome to head over to my Outfit Inspiration Page on Pinterest. Start getting an idea of what colors look good together. Lets think 3-5 colors per family (you can get away with a couple more for larger extended families). One to two colors should be eye catching (focal) colors and the remaining colors being supporting (more neutral) colors.

#2: Most Important Rule

I know you, Mom. You’re used to putting your kids and your husband first and that’s awesome. I’m right there with you. But I’m giving you permission…. no… I’m flat out telling you ABSOLUTELY you MUST choose your own outfit first. Don’t argue. I’m the professional. This holds true whether you’re getting ready for newborn portraits or family portraits. You’re investing in these pictures of your family. You took the time to research photographers. You’re looking for outfits. Chances are 90% of the time you’re the one behind the camera instead of in front of it with your family. Your family deserves to have some beautiful pictures with you IN them. And if you get these pictures back and you don’t LOVE how you look in them, you know where they’re going to end up? In the trash bin.

SO… Your outfit gets chosen first. Find something that makes you feel gorgeous!

A few hints to help you find something that looks great: If you want to wear something flowy then pair it with something fitted. (Flowy shirt, skinny jeans. Flowy skirt, fitted blouse). Just a quick FYI: Low cut shirts or short skirts limit the kinds of poses we can do. Don’t be afraid to accessorize! You can add a hat, necklace, earrings, belt, strappy sandals. Just make sure your outfit doesn’t have too many focal points. If you’re using an awesome accessory then keep your outfit colors/patterns neutral and simple. Take a picture or two of yourself wearing your outfit just to see how it translates in camera. Once you know what you want to wear, then you can move on to-

#3: HUBBY

Most men probably don’t care a lot about what they wear for a photo session. If yours does, that’s wonderful! Have him join you in picking out outfits for himself and the kids. Otherwise, narrow it down to a few options and let him decide.

For men, I always suggest something fitted. Baggy clothing is out, and a little dressed up is better than too casual. For casual sessions, I recommend a button-down shirt with sleeves rolled to the forearm or elbow or a sweater. You can pair this with jeans and some nice shoes (not sneakers). For more formal portraits I would suggest a blazer- you can accessorize with a tie, belt, suspenders, boots.

If your husband absolutely doesn’t care what he wears, then feel free to choose the kids outfits first and come back to his at the end.

#4: Kids

This is where your color scheme really comes into play. Use your kid’s outfits to pull in the colors in your palette. Be sparing with patterns (maybe one focal pattern in the family). When it comes to patterns, bigger is better! Small, tight patterns sometimes get weird in camera. Use accesories to help pull in some of the other colors you’re using.

Kids are similar to dressing adults but I’ll add a couple of things to watch for. Try to stay away from anything with pictures/logos. They’re just distracting and you want everyone’s attention on those cute FACES. For the same reason avoid sneakers that are colored. I always prefer dress shoes but if you must bring a family member in sneakers, make sure their colors are neutral and non-distracting.

For little girls in dresses I strongly recommend a pair of bike shorts underneath in a matching neutral color. You moms of girls hear me. You know exactly what I’m talking about.

#5: Shoes

While shoes seem like an afterthought, they can make or break your portrait session. In general, we don’t want to even notice them! When you show your portraits to your family and friends, you want them looking at your cute family and your kids sweet faces. A bright pair of shoes will pull that attention directly down to the bottom of the portrait, away from where we want the focus to be.

I always recommend going with more formal shoes than casual. Typically we don’t want to see anyones toes (unless mom is sporting a pretty pair of heels), and we definitely don’t want to see any bright sneakers. Stick with neutral colors. Sunday shoes are a great option. If you don’t want to spend a lot of money, this is a great time to bargain hunt at a thrift shop like kid to kid or uptown cheapskate.

Where to Shop

There isn’t really a right or wrong here. I’ll just share a few places I recommend.

I’ve found some great outfits for my family on Amazon.com. I especially love their Try Before You Buy program- clothing that is a part of this program will be labeled as such. They’ll ship it out and you have a week to decide if you want to keep it. When we had our OWN family photos I chose a few outfits for myself and my husband and simply returned the ones we didn’t use.

Joyfolie has really beautiful dresses for girls. They periodically run sales, so if you time it right you can get a great deal. My girls always get compliments on their dresses from here.

Baltic Born is a great one for mom. They have a huge selection of clothing, whether you want a dress or something more casual.

H & M has very cute kids clothing in more neutral colors. I tend to enjoy their actual store more than their website.

If you have a store you think should be added to this list, please let me know!

Keep in Touch!

I’m SO HAPPY to look over your outfit choices as you’re in the decision-making stage. Seriously. Send me a text or email with some pictures and I’ll 100% let you know what I think will work best. I want you to be as happy as can be with your portraits, and a big part of that is choosing really awesome outfits for your family!

DON’T HAVE A SESSION SCHEDULED YET? CONTACT ME AND LET’S GET YOU ON MY CALENDAR!

Ray Ban Meta Glasses Review for Photographers: Best for BTS?

Let’s dig into my Ray Ban Meta Glasses Review for photographers! I’ll discuss what types of sessions these work for, which they don’t, how they work and the pros and cons of these particular glasses.

Why Meta Glasses?

Behind the scenes videos are a critical part of any photographer’s social media advertising. When audiences see real reactions, genuine excitement, and candid moments, they connect with the people behind the business, not just the product. People also trust authentic content more than staged advertisements. Behind the scenes videos come across as honest, and help build your brand reputation.

While most photographers realize the importance of taking and showing behind the scenes videos, it’s not always easy to do. Tripods are a hassle, and it’s not always feasible to hire an extra set of hands just for taking video. This is where Ray Ban Meta Glasses really shine. Scroll below to see my Ray Ban Meta Glasses Review to find out more!

ray ban meta glasses review photo taken by glasses
Me wearing my Skylar Ray Ban Meta Glasses- in a photo taken by my Ray Ban Meta Glasses

Why Behind the Scenes Content Is Important for Photographers

People trust authentic content

According to Linked In Business, Authentic content can generate 41% higher engagement than staged content. People trust authentic content from your brand. While they do want to see the pretty pictures, they’re also interested in the experience that leads to that end product. There are a hundred other photographers your clients could choose from who deliver pretty photos. There’s only one YOU. Your behind the scenes experience is what sets you apart. Your clients want to see your face. They want to see HOW you do what you do.

Video is the most powerful content form online

The Trust Agency states that 89% of consumers say watching a video convinced them to buy a product or service. Behind-the-scenes videos perform especially well because they combine education, storytelling, and entertainment. Videos have a way to capture attention far better than photos. And the best videos are those that show different perspectives and aspects of your business.

Behind the Scenes build emotional connection

Emotional connection with a brand is a leading reason why clients choose one brand over another. People trust brands that they connect with- and there is no better way to build trust and connection than seeing a brand in action. Real, genuine, candid moments lend a feeling of honesty and vulnerability that we just love. You don’t have to be perfect- in fact those imperfect moments (followed up with the beautiful photos that you can still capture) can carry a powerful message that moms (who normally book the session) can relate to. They love knowing that even if they bring you an imperfect, messy, family, you’ll be able to give them pictures they’ll love.

    What are Meta Glasses?

    Meta glasses were created by Meta (formerly Facebook) for the purpose of creating video content. There are currently two brand that create Meta Glasses: Ray Ban and Oakley. In this Ray Ban Meta Glasses Review I’m choosing to focus on Ray Ban, since I liked this Skylar style the best. Meta Glasses have an embedded camera mounted in the glasses frame directly to the side of the glass. They’re amazing for hands-free recording, with a speaker feature allowing you to give voice commands to the glasses, and also a button that you can use to quietly start and stop video or take photos.

    Meta glasses also link via bluetooth to your phone, allowing you to listen to music or even answer phone calls right through the glasses. Content is recorded directly to the glasses, and then syncs easily to download onto your phone when you’re ready through the meta glasses app. Content will be available in your photos/video gallery. The glasses case has its own battery storage, and charges the glasses when they’re stored inside.

    I Discuss Using Ray-Ban Meta Glasses During a Photography Session: Ray Ban Meta Glasses Review

    How do Ray Ban Meta Glasses Work in a Photography Session for Behind the Scenes Video?

    Ray Ban Meta Glasses work great for almost all of the types of photo sessions I do. Since I don’t normally wear glasses, the weight of them on my face helps me remember that I need to take behind the scenes video. The beauty of these babies is that while they connect easily to your phone to transfer photos and video, they actually record directly to the glasses. This means you don’t have to actually be paired with your phone for the video and photo to work. You can also be doing other things with your phone- like taking other videos (from another angle) or playing music for your clients.

    All you do to begin the video is click and hold the button on the top right side of your glasses. To end the video, click and hold again. A light will appear on the front of the glasses to show you’re recording, and there’s also a dim light inside your glasses to show that you’re recording. This is really helpful, as you don’t want to THINK you’re recording and then realize you aren’t. The video recording will also automatically shut off after three minutes of recording. Alternatively, you can set the glasses up to accept voice commands. These commands include “Hey Meta, take a picture,” or “Hey Meta, record a video.”

    Ray Ban Meta Glasses Review: Video and Audio Quality Example

    This full three minute video is uncut and unfiltered, showing the video and audio quality of the Skylar Ray Ban Meta Glasses. This was taken in my studio for a cake smash session. I’m using a single off-camera strobe for lighting left of screen. I also have a light on in the sitting room of my studio to the right. This would be considered a minimal lighting situation, but you can see the quality of the video is still high.

    Ray Ban Meta Glasses Review: Pros and Cons for Photographers

    Pros

    Simple to take behind the scenes video

    Works great for Family Sessions, Cake Smash Sessions, Senior Portraits, Milestone Sessions, Mini Sessions

    Wearing the glasses is an extra reminder to take BTS video

    Stores data to glasses, so you can use your phone for other things

    Easily transfers photo/video to phone for social media posting

    Great for hands-free, natural POV footage

    Fun extra bonuses, like listening to music, answering calls, “what am I looking at?”

    Battery life seems adequate for photo sessions

    Cons

    Wish there was better sizing for smaller faces

    Doesn’t work at closer distances (like newborn sessions). Angle makes video weird.

    Photographer isn’t visible in video, so other (additional) angles can be helpful.

    3 minute video maximum means you have to remember to re-start video.

    Where to buy Ray Ban Meta Glasses

    You can purchase Ray Ban Meta Glasses online, but I recommend checking out local stores for sample glasses. At the time I purchased these Skylar Ray Ban Meta Glasses, one of our local Best Buy stores had sample Meta Glasses that you could try on. This was very helpful for me, as I wanted a pair that looked nice on my face and I was also concerned about finding a pair that wasn’t too big for head. I ended up getting the Skylar version, which is not what I had originally planned on. Trying them on in person was really helpful. No matter how many Ray Ban Meta Glasses Reviews you read, there’s no substitute for actually putting them on your face.

    Ray Ban Meta Glasses Bonuses

    While these things aren’t necessary for filming behind the scenes videos, I really enjoy these bonuses when using Meta Glasses.

    Music

    You can stream music from your phone directly into your glasses. There’s a microphone right in the temple of the glasses, and so it plays almost directly into your ear. Even with music on medium volume, people nearby don’t hear it. I enjoyed this on my way to and from outdoor sessions, and waiting for clients to show up. Playing music WHILE doing a session might have been a little distracting, but that’s a personal preference.

    Answering calls

    You phone calls will come directly into the glasses. Audio quality on my end was excellent- I’m not sure about the other end. But I loved chatting hands-free with my Meta Glasses.

    What am I looking at

    This is a super fun feature of Meta Glasses. If you have voice commands activated, you can just say “Hey Meta, what am I looking at?” and it will give you a detailed description of whatever you are looking at. While I haven’t taken these on vacation, I imagine it would be a really fun extra feature. It would also be a great way to get fun photos and video hands free, without having to pull out your phone and get to the camera.

    Personal Use

    Since having these glasses, I’ve loved using them for our family outings. They’re great at sporting events and music performances, as they aren’t as invasive as holding up your phone to get video. It’s so simple to stop and start video! And it’s just like wearing normal glasses. My Skylar glasses even have transition lenses so they turn into sunglasses outdoors.

    In Summary: My Ray Ban Meta Glasses Review

    I bought these Ray Ban Meta Glasses to film behind the scenes video, and they have done that and more. Even though I can’t really use them for newborn sessions, which is my bread-and-butter, my Ray Ban Meta Glasses Review is that these glasses get two thumbs way up, and I’m so glad I have them. They’ve been a helpful business purchase and have been enjoyable in my family life as well. I just REALLY wish there were other styles better suited to smaller faces.

    Wedding Questionnaire

    This form will take 10-15 minutes to complete. There’s no way to save your answers and return, so make sure you have all necessary info before you start.

    Wedding Contract Form

    Please fill out the form below with all of the information I’ll need to create your wedding contract.

    Why Print Your Photos? 8 Important Reasons to Abandon Your Digital Files

    Why Print Your Photos?

    why print your photos and where to print your pictures

    When a potential client calls, one of the most frequent questions I get asked is, “Can I just get the digitals?” And honestly, I totally get why you’d ask! We’re all so used to living on our phones these days. But if I’m being real with you, just handing over a folder of files would feel like I was only doing half my job.

    Your photos deserve more than a quick scroll and a spot in cloud storage. They deserve a real place in your home, where you can see them, feel them, and smile every time you walk by. That’s why I’ve built my business around helping you turn your favorite memories into beautiful, lasting prints and products. And that’s why my clients come back and thank me for providing them with this service.

    So the short answer is no, I don’t do simple digital packages (and if I do, they’re much more expensive than my standard packages). Every one of my sessions includes a minimum purchase amount, which must be spent on physical products following the session.

    Let me tell you why printing your products makes all the difference.

    1. Bring Your Photos to Life

    Enjoy Your Photos Every Day

    Professional photo products are an investment! Especially if you purchase more deluxe items like canvases, metals or albums. I have been there and have felt the same worries over budget and the cost of printed photos. Last year we had our own family photos done, and I decided to make the leap and purchase metals with our photos- and not just one, but a gallery wall. At the time I was so torn over whether we should pay that much for our wall of photos. I am grateful every day that we did!

    They hang in the main room of our home, and we each see those photos dozens of times a day. Every time I look at them, I am in love. Both with the quality of the photos, thanks to our wonderful photographer, and with the quality of the wall art, because I used a professional photography lab. For the cost of going out to dinner a couple of times, we get to look at these beautiful portraits of our family every single day for years to come.

    Beyond the Phone Screen

    Digital images often get shared on social media and are then forgotten. Ask me how often I sit and scroll through past pictures on my phone with my kids… the answer is never. But they frequently pull out their own albums and look through those photos together. They sit and laugh and talk about all of the memories we’ve captured through the years. They love to see how they’ve grown, and they giggle over each other’s baby photos. As I mentioned in the last section, we have a wall of family photos that we look at EVERY SINGLE DAY, and it reminds us of the importance of our family and how much we love one another.

    2. Boost Children’s Confidence and Well-Being

    Children Feel Loved and Valued

    When you display family and milestone photos in your home, you’re doing more than decorating—you’re sending a powerful message to your children. Seeing their own photos displayed prominently in the home shows children that they are an important part of the family story. It reinforces the idea that your family matters and helps create a sense of belonging. Studies show that children who grow up in homes with family photos on the walls have a stronger sense of belonging and security.

    Build Self-Esteem

    Displaying your child’s photos helps them internalize that they are cherished and celebrated, boosting their self-confidence. Knowing that they are valued gives them security. These printed memories create emotional anchors that help build confidence over time—something a forgotten digital file simply can’t achieve. Daily positive reinforcement of happy moments reinforces positive memories and contributes to emotional resilience.

    collage wall mock up for utah newborn photographer to share with clients

    3. Heirlooms for Future Generations

    Why Print Your Photos? Create Lasting Legacies

    Do you know what photos we have of my grandparents? We don’t have any of the photos they took in the years they relied on their phones as their cameras. Not one single photo from their camera rolls made it into our home. We DO have several photos that had been tucked away in boxes and albums, waiting for the day we happened upon them as we cleaned out their homes.

    Isn’t that amazing? I don’t have one photo from the thousands upon thousands of photos I’m sure were sitting in phone files somewhere. I DO have a copy of my grandparents’ engagement photo on a collage in our hallway. I have an old family photograph from when my dad was a teenager. On the other side of my family, I have an entire wedding album from my grandparents (they bought several to pass along to their children… thinking ahead when they got married). And it isn’t just the important milestone moments we’ve kept. I also have a photo of my great-grandpa sitting on a porch swing with my mom. I’m so glad that my grandparents printed these photos and kept them for decades, so that they could end up in my home and connect my children to their ancestry.

    There’s just something special about physical products. I’m grateful for digital copies of photos that we could potentially use someday. I’ve been known to look up old photos for calendar gifts or slide shows. But while I will let my hard drive sit in a drawer gathering dust, printed products that are more than 50 years old enjoy the spotlight in our home. These products have so much more emotional impact than a photo on a screen.

    Why Print Your Photos Through Your Photographer?

    4. Access to Professional Products and Expert Guidance

    One of the biggest challenges clients face is figuring out where to print their photos. With so many consumer options out there, many of which produce low-quality results, it can feel overwhelming and frustrating. As a professional photographer, I have access to exclusive, high-end print labs that work only with professional photographers, ensuring that every product meets the highest standards of quality, color accuracy, and durability.

    I also provide samples of the products I offer, including albums, wall art, framed prints, and more. It’s important to me that you can see and feel exactly what you’ll be getting before you make your selections. We can even put your photos up on a wall mock-up during your gallery reveal so you can see how your layout will look in your house, selecting the pictures that best complement each other. This way, you can feel confident knowing your portraits will look beautiful in your home.

    why print your photos acrylic frame with matted photo to switch out

    5. Customization Tailored to You

    Many of the products I offer have different styles, sizes, fabrics, and finishes. When you order your products in my studio at your gallery reveal, you can see these options in person and get a better feel for what fits your family’s style. You can compare them side by side, see their colors as they truly appear in person, feel their textures, and see how they react to light from multiple angles. There’s just no replacement for seeing print products in person before you purchase them.

    utah maternity photographer album with maternity photo on front cover

    6. Access to Quality Products

    Professional print labs make a huge difference when it comes to your photos. They use top-quality papers, rich inks, and carefully calibrated printers to make sure your images look exactly how they’re supposed to — with true colors, sharp details, and a beautiful finish that actually lasts. Unlike quick consumer labs that rush prints through for speed, professional labs hand-check everything for quality and accuracy.

    Plus, the prints they create are made to stand the test of time — no weird fading, discoloring, or bending after just a few years. If you’re investing in professional photography, your memories deserve to be printed the right way — beautifully and built to last. The archival quality materials used by professional printing labs are specifically chosen to create long-lasting works of art. Even the lowest-grade portraits I order from my favorite printing lab have a 100-year “shelf life” when placed in full sunlight.

    why print your photos adorable pink themed baby portrait in a frame in the hallway

    7. Getting it Done

    One of the most common stories I hear from clients is the story of the session never printed… It’s completely understandable! I’ve been there, too. The focus is on the session- choosing outfits, getting haircuts, and ensuring kids smile. We reach the end of the session, view our photos, breathe a sigh of relief that it’s all over, and vow to order our prints tomorrow. Tomorrow comes and goes, followed by a few months of extra tomorrows. Then suddenly you realize it’s been two years and those photos are outdated anyway.

    It happens all the time, and what a tragedy to go to all the work and expense of getting professional photos, only to never really get to enjoy them. This is one of my very favorite things about having a gallery reveal and ordering appointment for my clients! We plan this to take place 1-2 weeks following your session, and sit down together to choose your products. Sometimes I have clients worry that they’ll waste my time because they’re so indecisive, but these are the very clients who benefit the most from having a gallery reveal. I’m happy to throw in my input as a professional, and you don’t have the weeks of stress you’d normally endure in the decision-making process.

    why print your photos? gallery wall with family and kids

    8. Reducing Stress and Enjoying An Elevated Client Experience

    My goal is to make your client experience as stress-free and seamless as possible. From your session to your finished product, everything is taken care of. You don’t need to spend hours researching where to print your photos- finding the best consumer printing lab and then crossing your fingers that your prints turn out like you hope. You’ll see exactly what you can expect, in physical form, before you even order.

    I take care of your research for you, giving you access to the very best labs (only available to professional photographers). I am constantly on the lookout for new, fun products and order the samples so you don’t have to! Only the best products and labs make it through my testing process and into my product catalog, saving you the time and money required to do this kind of research yourself.

    We’ll walk through choosing the best photos for your walls or albums together, you can see a mock-up, and then you pay and walk away! Your order will be delivered to your front door in a matter of weeks, ready to display and enjoy in your home. The only thing left for you to do is to hang it on the wall!

    wall portrait of a pregnant woman utah maternity photographer

    This is all great information, but I still just want digitals…

    I get it! There are definitely times when all I need are some digitals as well. The good news is that there are PLENTY of photographers out there who will deliver just what you’re looking for! You and I may not be the best fit, and that’s ok. I choose to run my business with the end result being print products, because that kind of service brings me joy and fulfillment. It’s not what every client needs, and it’s not what every client needs right now.

    I LOVE burgers and fries. I love going out to eat burgers and fries, and we have a bunch of local favorite places to order them. Sometimes I need a quick bite, and Wendy’s is right down the street, so it’s perfect for that moment. Other times we have a little more time and money, and we go to Chom or Seven Brothers or Chubbys! And sometimes we just want to splurge on a really good steak and fries, and we head over to Outback Steakhouse.

    I love all of these places, at different times and for different things. But I’m not going to drive up to Wendy’s and demand a steak (or expect it to taste like it came from Outback). I’m also not going to go to Outback and say, “This is all really nice, but I actually only need a $5 burger.”

    This is a little tongue-in-cheek way of saying that my business is what it is because of the attention to detail that I offer. I’m so glad you love my photographs and you want that for your own family! And I’ll be happy to serve you that luscious steak with yummy fries that I offer to all my clients. If a $5 burger fits your needs and budget better right now, then I promise there are plenty of fast food photographers who are happy to deliver you a phone full of digital files. And when you’re ready for your steak, I’ll be here ready to be your photographer!

    Where have you been all my life? I want this for my family and can’t wait to book a session!

    I’m so happy to hear it! I can’t wait to help you get gorgeous photos of you and your loved ones, and to get those photos in albums and wall art where they can be enjoyed by your family and friends!

    To schedule your session, just reach out through my contact page and let me know a few details about what you’d like to schedule. I’ll be in touch shortly to answer any questions, and I’ll email over a booking proposal with my calendar, packages, and contract all attached. Once you finish the booking proposal, you’ll be on my calendar! You’ll receive a welcome email, access to your personal client portal, and helpful emails along the way until your session date arrives.

    Contact ME

    How to Make a Balloon Garland: Easy DIY Balloon Arch Tutorial

    /

    How to make a Balloon Garland (and Arch): Step-by-Step DIY Tutorial

    Planning a party or special event? Whether you’re going for a whimsical, free-flowing balloon garland or a show-stopping balloon arch, these stunning balloon decorations instantly transform any celebration. In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to make a balloon garland (balloon arch) step-by-step—perfect for birthdays, weddings, showers, or just adding a little magic to your space. With a few simple tools and some creative flair, you can create a professional-looking DIY balloon arch right at home.

    As a Cake Smash Photographer, I’ve had plenty of experience setting up Balloon Garlands for sessions. The best news is that creating a balloon garland is actually quite simple. It does take a little bit of time, but the outcome is well worth the investment.

    Here’s a quick video walk-through of my process, followed by a step-by-step and some helpful hints to get you on your way.

    Step-by-Step Video of Creating a Balloon Garland

    Balloon Garland vs Balloon Arch — What’s the Difference?

    If you’re like me, you’ve heard both terms and you’re not really sure which one you’re using. Here’s a quick break-down.

    • Shape & Structure — A balloon garland is flexible and organic, draping across walls, tables, or staircases. A balloon arch is more structured, usually built on a frame to create a curved or circular focal point.
    • Effort & Materials — Garlands can be made with just a balloon strip and tape, while arches may require a sturdy frame, fishing line, or even PVC pipes for support.
    • Visual Impact — Arches make a dramatic entrance piece or photo backdrop, while garlands add soft, flowing color to any area.
    • Occasions — Arches are perfect for doorways, outdoor ceremonies, or statement décor. Garlands are great for accent walls, dessert tables, or wrapping around existing structures.

    I use both. Sometimes I drape the garland along my backdrop, and sometimes I hang it in an arch. Really, the setup is almost exactly the same.

    Creating a Balloon Garland: Gathering Necessary Items

    There are only a few things you really need in order to create a balloon garland. Here are the items you’ll see in this video.

    Balloons

    I like to create my balloon arches with about 2-3 main theme colors, along with 3-4 supporting (more neutral) colors. You can do this however you would like. You could even make a balloon arch with a single color! I find most balloon arches I see have multiple. You can find your balloons as a kit on Amazon (just search for them, there are a lot out there). Or you can create your own variety.

    One benefit to creating your own mix is that you can get larger balloons. After using a bunch of kits from Amazon, I found that I was ending up with a lot of leftover smaller balloons. I have found that my favorite size balloon for my balloon arches is 12″. My ultimate balloon arch happy place is a set of 12″ balloons to work with, along with some 6″ balloons to even it out along the way.

    balloons for how to make a balloon garland

    What if you’re not making a bunch of balloon arches like I am, but you just want to make one for a party and be done with it? GET A BALLOON ARCH KIT and call it good enough! I really love using a set of bigger balloons, but you can absolutely get by with a pre-made kit.

    How many Balloons do you need for a balloon arch?

    I tend to use about 80-85 balloons for my balloon arches, which are the perfect size for a cake smash session. You don’t want the arch to be too big, because you want to see it all (or at least most of it) in the shot. If you want a larger arch, maybe for party decor or something else, you’ll need to use more balloons.

    Balloon Arch Tape

    There are plenty of people out there who swear by using string or some other contraption to hold their arches together. To each their own, but I’d much rather just use a roll of balloon arch tape and save myself some stress. This usually comes in those pre-made kits I talked about, but you can also buy a box of these to have on hand. They’re super cheap and in my opinion completely worth it.

    balloon arch tape

    Balloon Pump

    Unless you have the lungs of an elite athlete, I would also strongly recommend getting a balloon pump to fill up all those balloons. I own this nifty little guy, and it’s not only super easy to use, but the cord tucks inside and it stores really well, too.

    balloon pump for making a balloon arch

    Stretchy Twine/Fishing Line

    I like to hang my balloon arch with stretch bracelet/fishing twine. It makes it almost invisible in photographs, and does a great job of holding the arch up just how I’d like it. I bought mine from Hobby Lobby, but you can find it at pretty much any craft store, Walmart, or Amazon.

    stretchy twine

    If You Make a Lot of Balloon Garlands (especially for Cake Smash Sessions)

    Quilting Clips

    This is the way I like to hang my balloon garlands for Cake Smash Sessions. I like to use a backdrop stand so that my balloon arch stays lower to the ground. This way the balloon arch is nice and visible behind the toddler. Since I do a lot of these sessions, I keep my stretchy twine tied to the horizontal bar of my backdrop stand. Then I use quilting clips to attach my balloon arch to the twine. This allows me to re-use my stretchy twine, and is faster because they’re already hung to be about the right relative height from one another to make a pretty arch shape.

    quilting clips

    How to Make a Balloon Garland: The Steps

    1. Blow up the Balloons

    I like to blow up about 5 of each color consecutively. That way I know I have about an even number of each color. For a Cake Smash-sized balloon arch, I typically need somewhere around 80 balloons. About 1 in every 4 or 5 balloons needs to be a small one. This won’t make a big difference right at the beginning, but as you keep adding balloons to the balloon arch tape, you’ll notice that they bunch up and you’ll either need to start skipping holes or you’ll need to add some small balloons.

    2. Add Balloons to the Arch Tape

    The arch tape will usually be secured with a piece of regular tape. Take that off and the tape will start to unravel.

    You’ll notice holes along the tape- usually they look kind of like little snowmen. One large hole connected to a smaller hole. You’ll pull the knot of the balloon through that larger hole, then, when it’s through, you’ll slide it into the smaller hole to lock it in place. Keep attaching a single balloon into each hole in the balloon arch tape. Once you get going, it will begin creating a nice balloon arch. As the balloons start taking up more room, you will notice it seems like you need to skip a hole. Instead of skipping a hole, use a smaller balloon (or two) and then continue with your regular-sized balloons.

    I usually end up doing about 4-5 large balloons, followed by a small balloon.

    Continue adding your balloons until your arch is as long as you would like it to be.

    3. How to Hang up your Balloon Garland

    I like to use a backdrop stand and fishing twine/stretchy bracelet twine to hang up my balloon garlands for my Cake Smash Sessions. First I set up my backdrop stand, then I tie twine in about 5-7 places along the horizontal bar. The shortest twine will go right in the middle (to make the top of the arch). Then I space my twine out evenly around that twine on each side, gradually lengthening my twine as I go.

    Using quilting clips, I clip the arch tape to the twine. Then I step back and make sure my alignment is correct. If not, I can unclip whichever piece needs to be higher or lower and fix my arch.

    If the entire arch is too high or too low, I can adjust the height of the backdrop stand instead.

    4. Fill In

    If you have any spots that seem a little bare, you can use extra balloons to fill them in. Take a little tape (or tape dots that often come with balloon arch tape sets) and adhere the extra balloons wherever you need them. Tape dots also work well for attaching other embellishments to the balloon arch.

    DIY Balloon Garland (Balloon Arch) FAQ


    How long does a balloon arch last?


    Indoors, your balloon arch can look fresh for 2-4 days. Outdoors, expect 8–24 hours depending on weather. Keep your balloons out of heat and sunlight, and away from kids and pets.

    How many balloons do I need for a balloon garland?

    For my cake smash balloon garlands, I usually use about 75-80. For a full sized arch (around 8-10 feet), you may be looking at closer to 125 balloons. It really depends on the size of your balloons and how full you want your arch to be. I always suggest buying more balloons than you think you’ll need. It’s easier to fill in with matching balloons than to try to color match later.


    Do I need helium to make a balloon arch?


    Nope! Most balloon arches are made with air-filled balloons attached to a frame or fishing line. I do recommend blowing them up with a balloon pump, just to save yourself the headache of blowing up so many balloons.


    Can I make a balloon arch the night before?


    Yes, I do this all the time! In fact, I recommend doing this so you don’t have any last minute surprises. Do keep it indoors and away from heat or direct sunlight to prevent deflation.


    Do you get blisters from tying all the balloons?


    I can usually get through about one arch before I start hurting my fingers. To avoid this, I like to wrap my 2nd and 3rd fingers in electrical tape. It just seems to cling well and creates a buffer between the balloons I’m tying and my fingers. Otherwise they start to get rubbed raw.


    What’s the easiest way to make a balloon arch?

    Use a balloon strip for quick assembly—just pull the tied ends through the pre-cut holes and attach to your frame or tie up with fishing line.

    I hope you found this guide helpful and that you’re excited to start your balloon garland!

    Creating a balloon garland is a lot easier than it seems. I can usually whip one of these out in about 45 minutes. The part that takes the longest is just blowing up all of the balloons! Please feel free to leave any questions below. I’m happy to help!