If you’re looking for fun birthday photoshoot ideas to spice up your pictures, I’ve got you covered! Prefer ideas for birthday Instagram reels or TikToks? You’ll find ideas for birthday videos here, too!
I’ve been thinking of birthday photoshoot and TikTok/Reels video ideas for my own birthday coming up, and in doing so, decided to compile a post of what I’ve found!
Don’t worry – you won’t need an elaborate backdrop like I have in the photo above! I got that pic at the Museum of Memories pop up when it was in Dallas. And while you can head somewhere colorful like the Museum of Ice Cream or the Color Factory, the birthday photoshoot ideas listed in this post are creative ideas you can easily recreate.
As easy as drawing your age on the mirror with lipstick, filling a tub with balloons, or holding up a mugshot of your age!
So, kick back, grab your camera (or your phone), and get ready to snap some shots to capture this special day!
And if you want a high-resolution PDF printable of these photo poses, join my email list, and I’ll send it to you!
Birthday Photoshoot Ideas
First, let’s start with photography! Here are some cute, fun, and creative birthday photoshoot ideas:
1. Make a Wish
Grab your cake and blow out your candle like a birthday superstar for a memorable photoshoot – don’t forget to make a wish! You can make your snaps pop more with these creative candles from Amazon:
2. Show Off Your Birthday Cake
When you’re done making a wish, here’s another cute way to pose with your cake. You can opt for colorful, pastel candles or something simple and chic, like these:
3. Toast to You!
Holding a champagne glass and raising your arm gives joyful vibes in a classy way.
Plus, it’s a fun way to capture the essence of toasting to another year of fabulousness! Cheers to that!
4. Number Balloons
If you don’t mind revealing your age, use number balloons!
Using number balloons in your birthday photoshoot adds a playful and personalized touch, showcasing the milestone’s significance in a fun and eye-catching way!
5. Get Creative with a Collage and Confetti
Make a collage of your birthday pics to capture all the best moments in one big snapshot! It’s a fun way to remember the day and share the excitement with friends and family. And confetti makes for the perfect birthday photo prop!
6. Shadow and Light Play
Who needs props when you have shadows and lighting to play with? I love these unique birthday photoshoot ideas!
7. Cake by the Beach
If you have a beach nearby, why not take advantage of it?
To nail that beachy cake-holding shot, find a spot with a nice view, hold the cake up high with your hands, look back, and flash a big smile. (I recommend going during, sunrise, sunset, or golden hour for the ultimate shot!)
And if you want to make a photo very similar to the one above, you can get the dress here:
8. Pose with Your Partner
Set up a cozy spot with your partner and cake and capture candid moments like this one. You can also try out other couple poses if this isn’t your cup of tea.
9. A Birthday Picnic Photoshoot
Picnic photos are a total win for a birthday shoot because they combine nature’s beauty, good food, and your favorite people to create a relaxed and memorable vibe. Plus, it’s easy to capture candid moments while enjoying treats in the great outdoors! (Get more picnic inspiration here!)
10. Use Streamers as a Background
To pull off that birthday stream backdrop, hang colorful streamers all around the room, set up your camera in front, strike a pose with your favorite birthday props, and snap away!
11. Match Your Cake’s Aesthetic
Coordinate your outfit with the colors and style of your cake and show off that sweet synchronicity!
It’s a fab birthday photoshoot idea because it makes your pictures look cohesive and oh-so instagrammable.
12. Make Your Birthday Outfit Pop with a Plain Background
Put all the focus on you and your fabulous birthday fit by posing against a plain background.
It’s all about highlighting your style without any distractions, making those birthday snaps totally Instagram-worthy!
13. Decorate Your Bed
Decking out your bed adds a burst of color and fun to your birthday pictures, instantly elevating the celebration vibes!
Fun balloons like those in the photo make for a charming DIY birthday-themed backdrop. I’ve used balloons for countless shoots and I highly recommend this electric balloon pump and a balloon kit!
It makes creating balloons for photoshoots a breeze!
14. Embrace An All-White Theme for an Elegant Birthday Photoshoot
Rocking an all-white theme for your birthday photoshoot brings a touch of elegance and sophistication to your special day, making you feel like a true VIP!
Plus, it creates a timeless and classy vibe that’ll make your photos look super chic and memorable.
Adding a banner can spruce up your birthday photos, creating a fun backdrop without disrupting the elegance.
15. Get a Close-Up of Your Cake with the Balloons as a Background
This is a great birthday photoshoot idea for those who don’t want to be in their pictures!
16. Match Your Outfit with Your Birthday Balloons
Matching your outfit with your birthday balloons adds a fun and coordinated touch to your pictures, making you stand out with a cohesive look!
Plus, it’s a surefire way to make your photos pop with personality and style!
17. Don’t Have Cake? Make Do with a Cupcake!
Don’t have a cake ready? Don’t worry!
Swapping a cake for a cupcake on your birthday brings that sweet birthday vibe in a cute and compact package!
18. Sit and Gaze at Your Balloons
Sitting on the floor while holding and admiring your balloons is a simple yet elegant photoshoot idea.
It creates a relaxed and intimate vibe, connecting you with your birthday joy in a cozy and natural setting!
19. Put the Spotlight on You
Get yourself in that spotlight with a plain background behind you, and let your birthday shine steal the spotlight!
It’s a fun idea you can DIY with a simple snoot kit like this one:
It helps you recreate a professional photo in the comfort of your home.
Birthday TikTok and Reels Ideas
If you prefer video format, here are some birthday TikTok and birthday Instagram reels ideas!
20. Pop Confetti in Bed
I love this fun birthday video idea for Tiktok or Instagram reels! It’s pretty easy to make; all you need is number balloons and a confetti cannon!
21. Set Up a Birthday Picnic
For an aesthetic birthday TikTok or reel, how about setting up a beautiful birthday picnic?
22. Change Ages as You Blow Out Candles
This Instagram reel birthday trend is so cute! You just get candles for your age and for a decade ago so that when you clap to the beat, they change up on you! Use a tripod to keep your phone in the exact right place to make the transition seamless.
23. Cut Cake with a Wine Glass
I love this birthday Instagram reels trend! Here are a few tips on how to choose the right wine glass for this:
- Avoid wine glasses with super thin walls or super thin stems- they’re more likely to shatter!
- If your glass narrows a lot at the top, it won’t let you cut the cake properly!
- Champagne flutes aren’t as practical since they are hard to actually eat cake out of.
24. A ‘Happee Birthdae’ Cake for Harry Potter Fans
If you’re a Harry Potter fan, this birthday reel/ birthday TikTok idea is perfect for you! Just substitute your name for Harry and film yourself making Hagrid’s famous cake!
25. Transform with an Umbrella of Confetti
Do a fun umbrella transition for a fun birthday TikTok or birthday Instagram reel idea! I’ve added a tutorial video above so that you can see the editing steps for this one.
First, fill an upside down auto-open umbrella with some confetti or streamers, and close it. Then, get a shot of you in a plain outfit (maybe PJs?) opening the umbrella (go quick so that confetti doesn’t start falling out!). Make sure your phone is on a tripod to keep it in the EXACT same spot. And mark where you are standing so that you can also get into the exact same spot!
Then, clean up the confetti, change into your glammed-up birthday outfit, fill your umbrella again, get into the same spot, and film yourself opening the umbrella.
The rest you edit in a video app like CapCut, and you can follow the instructions he gives you in the video above!
26. Disappear into Confetti
This is a really fun birthday reel or TikTok idea if you’re trying to run from your age, too 😉 Disappearing into a cloud of confetti is a bit less tricky than the umbrella post – you don’t need to overlay anything. Just be sure to use a tripod to keep your phone steady when filming for a seamless transition!
27. Celebrate Your Friend’s Birthday
Last but not least, people go nuts for something that evokes emotion. And throwing a friend a birthday picnic is SO sweet! It’s no wonder this birthday Instagram reel was such a success! (Not to mention the amazing picnic set up they did!)
Birthday TikTok, Reels, & Photoshoot Ideas: Conclusion
I hope these birthday photoshoot and birthday video ideas have gotten your creative juices flowing!
Which ones are you excited to try out for your next birthday bash? Let me know in the comments! And if I missed a fun birthday photoshoot or video idea that needs to be added to this list, let me know below as well!
Lastly, if you want more photography pose ideas, check out this post: How to Pose for Photos: 48 Poses For Your Next Insta Photoshoot.
Happy photographing! And happy birthday!!
Jasmine
