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The Dream is Free, The Hustle Sold Separately

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DIY Newborn Photography Prop {Moon Prop}

July 31, 2015 by Bethany Sy

A few weeks ago, I was talking to Molly (at Molly Long Photography) about photography props and how expensive they could be, and she mentioned that she really wanted a wooden moon with a place to put a newborn. This got my wheels turning, and I saw an opportunity to play with power tools and use up some scrap wood!

Tutorial on building a moon prop for newborn photography.

This is KIND OF a tutorial. But not super thorough… because I’m sure there aren’t a ton of you that have been dying to make a big wooden moon. But maybe it’ll get your creative wheels turning for something completely different! WHO KNOWS!

After doing some figuring, I decided the moon should be about a 3’ diameter circle, so I used an old vinyl tablecloth and cut the circle out to use as a template. Since I’ll need to cut two moons for the front and back side (technically it’s totally reversible!), I wanted to make sure I used a template so both moons would be identical in shape and size.

DIY Infant Photography Moon Prop

Then I cut a scrap strip of wood to 12”, screwed in a drywall screw just far enough that the point of the screw was sticking through the other side. The point of the screw helps me keep one side of the stick in place while I slide the other side in a circle motion and trace to make another smaller circle. Then I cut it out and have my moon template!

Moon template for DIY moon prop for newborn photography

I grabbed a ton of pieces of scrap wood from our scrap pile… all different widths and thicknesses. I laid them out over my template. Then I traced out the moon shape onto the boards, and cut them one at a time with the scroll saw (you could also use a band saw or jigsaw for this). You can see in the pic below, I’ve got several of the boards cut to the shape already.

Photography moon prop tutorial

What’s that? You’re wondering where baby Cypress is while I’m doing this? Allow me to pan out a bit.

My lovely assistant for building the moon prop.

All together now… awwwwwww.

So once I had all these individual planks cut to the shape of the moon, I routed the edges of each board to be rounded and smooth.

Tutorial on building a photography moon prop newborn pictures!

Then I cut a piece of cheap 1/4” plywood into the shape of a slightly smaller moon, and glued/nailed each plank onto it one at a time from the back side with my AirStrike. I don’t have a pic of this step, but it’s pretty self-explanatory.

For the second moon that will go on the back (which isn’t really the back since it’s reversible), I decided to just use a piece of plywood with a 3/4” thickness. I simply laid my template over the plywood, traced with a pencil, and cut with a jigsaw!

moon prop progress!

Since this photography prop is reversible, I asked Molly what colors she would like either side painted… and she said pale yellow for one, and pale blue for the other. DONE! I painted them before I went any further, because I wouldn’t want overspray with it being two different colors.

Then I started building a little perch where the baby would lay. I cut two boards to act as rails for the other boards to rest on. Does this make sense?

Infant Photography Moon Prop: building the perch for the baby

Here is the bench where the baby can lay in the moon prop.

As you can see above, I cut 2” strips of wood so that this little perch could go with the same shape of the moon.

Then I just added a few braces (maybe 4 or 5) inside using pocket holes to make the whole thing sturdy and stable… and this sucker’s done!

DIY moon prop for newborn photography

I forgot to take a pic of the yellow side, but luckily Molly had my back. Would you look at this adorable tiny newborn? I’m confident Cypress was NEVER that small.

Newborn Photography Moon Prop Tutorial DIY

Doesn’t it make for such amazing / dreamy newborn pics? Of course it doesn’t hurt that Molly’s an insanely talented photographer. When she did Cypress’ Newborn Pics, I named her ‘The Baby Whisperer’.

I’m not gonna lie… there’s a part of me that wants to snuggle up on that fluffy moon and fall asleep myself.

Which reminds me… have you seen those moon shaped toddler beds? Hold on, let me google…

FOUND IT!

ADORABLE toddler bed ideasource

So similar right?! You could use the same concept from this prop tutorial to build something like this for your tot, and just used the crib mattress / dimensions!

Anywho… hope you’re feeling inspired and creative, and go build/make something awesome this weekend!

Sawdust-Embryos_thumb2

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About Bethany Sy

Nick and Bethany Sy are the creative free-spirits behind DIY/Lifestyle blog, Reality Daydream. They recently purchased a historic mansion and have been documenting the ups and downs of renovation and making this home their own... all while sharing tips and tutorials along the way! When they found themselves in the trenches of infertility, they started a journey that would prove to be their most important DIY project ever, and have 3 beautiful girls to show for it. <3

« Annual Fam Camping 2015
DIY Playhouse / Swing Set Update {Part 2} »

Comments

  1. 15

    Daiana says

    October 6, 2022 at 12:43 pm

    Hola me podés pasar medidas por favor

    Reply
  2. 16

    Anat says

    August 8, 2019 at 12:48 pm

    A lovely moon. How did you prevent him from rolling? After all, it’s round at the bottom, isn’t it?

    Reply
  3. 17

    Lysa Beebe says

    October 5, 2017 at 2:17 am

    How do I keep this? I’m trying to mark it so I can try to make it this weekend.

    Reply
    • 18

      Bethany Sy says

      October 13, 2017 at 7:24 pm

      Pin it to Pinterest! 😉

      Reply
  4. 19

    Newborn Baby Photographer NJ says

    September 14, 2017 at 1:26 pm

    Lovely prop for newborn babies. Use of towels and fur can further enhance the photo shoot.

    Reply
  5. 20

    Christine says

    September 1, 2017 at 1:01 am

    how wide across is it between the blue side and yellow side? (Where the baby will be)..Thanks for the awesome tutorial!

    Reply
    • 21

      Bethany Sy says

      September 4, 2017 at 11:49 pm

      Right around a foot wide… enough for that teeny baby! <3

      Reply
  6. 22

    cynthia smith says

    April 15, 2016 at 4:40 am

    Every time I see this moon I get so ENCHANTED!!! I’ve got to add one of these to my photo prop’s!!

    Reply
  7. 23

    Gülden Turgut Yılmaz says

    January 21, 2016 at 5:16 pm

    You got a great job! I’m photographer in a Turkey/İstanbul. I would like this moon. ıf you can this moons measurement ı would appreciate.You can contact with me here; guldenyilmazphotography@gmail.com 🙂

    Reply
  8. 24

    michellecahal says

    January 10, 2016 at 6:11 pm

    Hi! How did you fill in the areas between boards on the moon face? Did you fill it in or did you cover the whole thing with another material?
    Thanks!

    Reply
    • 25

      Beth @ Reality Daydream says

      January 12, 2016 at 12:16 pm

      The inside of the moon is just hollow and open. I thought about filling it in, but it was already pretty heavy. And since it’s only used for photography, I knew it didn’t really matter what was in between. Hope this helps!!

      Reply
  9. 26

    Julie@followyourheart says

    August 1, 2015 at 10:28 am

    Looks great! I made one too, over a year ago. http://followyourheartwoodworking.blogspot.ca/2013/11/moon-photography-prop.html

    Reply
  10. 27

    Cathy Beard Johnson says

    August 1, 2015 at 8:59 am

    You are so ridiculously talented! Love this!

    Reply
  11. 28

    dana dashoop says

    July 31, 2015 at 12:05 pm

    ooooooh super cool!!!! would be a fun rocker chair for me..I mean my cats.. 😉

    Reply
    • 29

      Beth @ Sawdust and Embryos says

      July 31, 2015 at 7:11 pm

      Ohhh Dana. You’re my super-fan! And I’m yours 🙂

      Reply

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We are Nick and Bethany! Welcome to our blog, Reality Daydream where we share our DIY adventures!
Click here for lots of art projects using only wood stain on furniture!!
Please feel free to share or pin my posts! You're welcome to use ONE of my images (no collages or pinnables) with a link back to the corresponding post. Please do not edit or crop that single image in any way. Improper use of my photos, ideas or words is a violation of copyright. Thank you!

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Attention: Almost any do-it-yourself project involves risk of some sort. Your tools, materials, and skills will vary, as will the conditions at your project site. Reality Daydream has made every effort to be complete and accurate in the instructions of the plans on this website. Reality Daydream will not assume any responsibility or liability for damages or losses sustained or incurred in the course of your project or in the use of the item you create. Always follow the manufacturer’s operating instructions in the use of tools, check and follow your local building codes, and observe all commonly accepted safety precautions.

 

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