10 Creative Milk Bath Photoshoot Ideas (2025)

For some time now, milk bath photography has been a popular style of editorial, commercial, and artistic digital imagery. Most often, though, it is used for portraiture for mothers and newborns and boudoir-style photos. Milk bath photography is somewhat self-explanatory – a bathtub is filled with milk, which creates a simultaneously angelic and sultry aesthetic, depending on the goal of the photoshoot. The milky surroundings allow the subject to glow through the negative white space, encouraging the viewer to focus on the model while enjoying an interesting background. Ahead, we’ll share a few incredible milk bath photoshoot ideas.

But first things first, you’ll need to source a tub or other vessel and somewhere to shoot the milk bath photography. That’s where Peerspace can help. Peerspace is the largest online marketplace for hourly venue rentals, making it easy to find photoshoot locations that fit your needs. Since there are thousands of Peerspaces in hundreds of cities, there’s bound to be an ideal milk bath photoshoot site. Here are 11 creative Peerspace ideas as to where you could take your pics.

1. Plan a newborn milk bath photoshoot in a childhood dreamscape

Some milk bath photographers prefer to conduct infant milk bath photoshoots in kiddie pools, which makes an exceptionally fun and colorful environment. This bright preschool in Silver Lake, CA, would make an ideal setting for this kind of photoshoot – just situate the inflatable or plastic pool in the center of the play area to stage your shots. P.S., use your camera strap so the camera doesn’t fall on the baby’s head!

2. Set up your milk bath in a spacious salon loft for an ethereal look

To clarify the concept, a person’s entire body does not need to be submerged in the tub in order to create the desired milk bath portraiture effect. Imagine filling wash stations at this spacious salon loft in Chicago, IL with your milk mixture, maybe some shampoo-esque bubbles, and shooting the subject from above. It would be amazing with those bright teal walls and flattering ambient light.

“My client used this space for a video shoot and it was perfect,” shares a Peerspace reviewer of this Chicago salon. “The studio is spacious and the aesthetics are gorgeous. Jessica was so very helpful and made herself readily available to answer questions/offer assistance. Thank you, Jessica!! 10/10!”

3. Choose a unique setting in an eclectic bohemian loft

This bohemian loft near St. Louis, MO has six eclectic bathrooms, most of which feature a tub-like vessel that would make a fantastic milk bath photoshoot. One of the bathrooms, in particular, features a Western-themed trough-like sink, which probably wouldn’t accommodate a full-grown person, but would make a really cool bath setting for a toddler. Other bathrooms have full-sized tubs and there’s even a mosaic wall fountain for, well, off-the-wall images.

This is one of those Peerspaces with tons of rave reviews from the creative community! Like this one: “WE LOVED IT! Such a special place. We booked this space for a client’s editorial product shots. The space was “electric” and offered so many different vibes allowing us to get many different styles of images in one full day of shooting.”

New to milk baths? No worries! Simply check out everything you need to know about milk bath photography here.

4. Create naturalistic photos with a waterlily-strewn pond

Next, check out this stunning zen-like outdoor lounge in Chevy Chase, MD. The backyard of this home features a breathtaking pond that would be ideal for Eden-like milk bath photoshoots. You might want to ask first whether it’s ok to add milk (or some other nontoxic alternative) to the water, but if so, the effect would be jaw-dropping.

5. Host a posh shoot at a private outdoor bathtub

The Arizona Biltmore Hotel is one of the most recognized resorts in the US Southwest, having attracted thousands of Hollywood personalities throughout its history. The George Treehouse in Phoenix, AZ is in the neighborhood and reflects the same level of sophistication. Its outdoor bathtub would make a wonderful place to do your milk bath photoshoot.

6. Host an exotic milk bath shoot at this Hollywood Hills lush resort

Bring a container of your choice to this Hollywood Hills lush resort, secluded, exotic gardens rental space for a high-contrast milk bath photoshoot. The hosts might let you use their hot tub or tiled fountain as a setting. It’s worth an ask. Or just bring your own vessel. Either way, the surrounding tropical foliage and pretty light will set off a milk tub in just the right way.

“I cannot recommend this lovely garden enough,” says a Peerspace reviewer. “It’s beautiful, spacious, and relaxing. I wish Brad and Sanaa were the hosts of every location I booked because they are so easy to communicate with and just a pleasure to work with in general. Thank you!”

7. Create a whimsical, boho finish with a shoot at this earth-tone natural light studio

If you’re looking for a more minimal yet totally chic setting for your milk bath photoshoot ideas, then we think you’ll love this earth-tone natural light studio in Los Angeles, CA. It’s a 1,195-square-foot studio that boasts an open layout, high ceilings, large windows that let in plenty of light, and the perfect props and decor for a milk bath shoot. The host provides a clawfoot tub, gold French mirrors, pampa grass, ivory roses, candles, and so much more to create a whimsical and romantic ambiance.

“I enjoyed shooting in this studio,” shares a photographer in their Peerspace review. “The space is clean, light and have a lot of props to use. Plus the owner is super nice and helpful”

8. Opt for an unexpected setting and book a hip whiskey bar

This incredibly stylish, neon-lit whiskey bar near Pittsburgh, PA would make an exciting place to shoot a milk batch photo session. Ask to use the bar’s sinks, or bring in some other vessel for your milk concoction. The colorful backdrop would reflect in the bath fluid, adding something extra special to your portraiture.

9. Get creative with a milk bath in an urban artsy warehouse

Situated in Baltimore, MD is this arts district warehouse with just the right amount of furnishings and the perfect lighting for a milk bath photoshoot. Sunlight does come in through the windows, but it’s indirect versus glare-producing, making for the perfect ambiance.

10. Go ultra-modern in a Scandinavian modern home

This Scandinavian modern home in Portland, OR is actually home to TWO beautiful bathtubs for you to fulfill your milk bath photoshoot ideas. While one is more traditional, the other, pictured above, has a more modern shape and can help you create amazing milk bath looks.

Check out more cool bathtub photoshoot ideas here for more venue and style inspiration!

Putting milk bath photoshoot ideas together

To do an effective milk bath photoshoot, you will need about a gallon or two of actual milk. The milk is what serves to create the desired cloudy effect. Fill the tub with lukewarm water (you don’t want the milk to curdle in hot water). Start with two cups of milk and add more to reach the creaminess you’re looking for.

Remember that depending on the type of shoot you’re doing, you might not need to submerge your model’s entire body, so just keep the proportions in check by adding milk slowly but having a lot on hand in case you need more. You could add a bit of milk powder if you want more opacity. Should your model or photographer be vegan, non-dairy creamer works the same way – you’ll just need a lot of it. Or you can use plant-based “milks” or even thinned body-safe paint.

You can add extra liquids, like almond oil or another food-safe extract, to create shimmery swirls. Start with just a little and add more as required. You might also want to add in some color, which can be sourced from vegetal dye or a bath bomb, body paints, or even powdered drink mix.

Common props to include in the milk bath are flower petals, branches, floating toys – the sky is the limit. And speaking of the sky, it’s a good idea to shoot milk bath photography from above, so you might need a ladder. And use low light lest your subject appear washed out – as it were.

Models can wear absolutely anything in the milk bath – from going nude (as with a baby or a special Valentine’s Day image) to silky gowns or surreal costumes for more artistic shots.

Milk bath photoshoot ideas come to life with Peerspace

All of these incredible milk bath photoshoot ideas come to life with Peerspace, the largest online marketplace for hourly venue rentals. Check out the types of milk bath studios we have available near you. Then, book your favorite space and unleash your creativity.

Find unique milk bath photoshoot venues on Peerspace