Inspiration for Valentine's Day Themed Images

Valentine's Day is quickly approaching, and who doesn't love a day filled with extra smooshy kisses, candy and smiles?! I felt like I needed a little inspiration this year when I was brainstorming for fun Valentine's Day-themed images the other day, so I thought you might too! Today, I'm sharing a few ways you can embrace the sweetness of Valentine's Day within your everyday moments and capture the fun within childhood on Valentine's Day. 

1. Details 

Do you have any little Valentine's Day traditions? At my house, heart-shaped pancakes sprinkled with icing sugar and candy are always required during the weeks before Valentine's Day. This is a must capture photograph for me in my home, and I love capturing the details of this sweet breakfast from above.

Perhaps your Valentine's Day details are handfuls of candy or carefully decorated sugar cookies. Or maybe your littles are crafty, and you enjoy creating a special Valentine's Day card or collage for someone you love. Keep in mind that details can be captured from various angles and perspectives, so don't be afraid to experiment and remember to get up nice and close to all of those love-infused details. Capturing details is a beautiful way to preserve childhood moments on Valentine's Day. 

^{ISO 1250, 35mm, f3.2, 1/250SS}

2. Sweet treats

Valentine's Day is not completed without a few sweet treats! Even my boy, who tries to avoid my camera at all costs, is willing to sit for a few quick images if there's a reward in it for him. From cinnamon candy hearts through delicious baking, there's always the opportunity for a quick capture. 

It doesn't have to take you a long time either. This image was captured in under 5 minutes (minus the brownie prep). I set everything up and asked my son to sit down for a few quick clicks of my shutter, which he agreed to do because his reward was a brownie and hot chocolate afterwards! 

^{ISO 1250, 35mm, f3.2, 1/320SS}

3. Snuggly moments

Cuddles are always worth capturing, and you don't need Valentine's Day to be your excuse for photographing these types of moments. However, Valentine's Day snuggles are a great motivation for cuddle time captures! Whether it is a furry family member or sibling embrace or a whole family bear hug, make an effort this Valentine's Day to photograph your snuggly moments. 

^{ISO 1250, 35mm, f4, 1/320SS}

4. Creativity 

You likely already know that I adore bokeh, and I'm definitely in bokeh withdrawal following the bokeh infused months of images over the past holiday season. I always like to try a creative image during Valentine's Day and was inspired by the sparkle blowing images I've seen. This year I thought we'd blow around a little snow since we have access to plenty of that, and in post-processing, infuse a little touch of creative Valentine's Day themed magic. 

^{ISO 100, 105mm, f3.2, 1/1000SS} 

5. Hearts

Fill your frames with hearts! Valentine's Day and hearts are the perfect pair, so don't be afraid to incorporate hearts into all your images! February is also Heart Month and International CHD (childhood/congenital heart disease) Month so keep in mind the causes behind heart health awareness and display a few hearts to show a little extra support for those struggling with heart conditions. 

Valentine's Day themed images are always fun ways to capture precious childhood moments. Make an effort to capture a few Valentine's Day themed image this year. Also, show your support this month for those dealing with heart conditions by posting your heart-themed images and tagging #strengthforhearts, #chdawareneess and #togs4heart.