Inspiration and how it helps creativity develop is something most artists understand. Inspiration takes you down a path, down avenues of thought and imagination. Solving problems…creating solutions….experiencing happy accidents; all these things come together in almost any artistic project.

Recently, I was inspired for a Christmas photo shoot by the concept of “Cookies for Santa”. That phrase was in my mind for weeks as I scoured Marshals, The Dollar Store, Michaels, thrift shops and antique stores. The phrase “Cookies for Santa” was repeating over and over in my mind as I hunted for props that would bring the concept to life.

I knew I would be shooting photos that might include family dog…which created a dilemma. I needed to have cookies they wouldn’t gobble down or drive them to distraction. I found the solution at Michaels—air dry playdough, the perfect material to make fake cookies!

I was able to treat it like cookie dough, rolling it out and using a cookie cutter to make the shapes. I left them out to dry and the next day used a little pastel chalk to give my rubbery creations the look of baked crunchy cookies. They looked perfect!

I made a prop bottle of milk with a recycled milk bottle filled with white tempera paint. So as the photo sessions progressed over two days, I didn’t have to worry about any spoiled or spilt milk.

Red bowls, plates, baking trays and holiday cookie cutters complimented the backdrop. I think the results made for great holiday photos!