When beginning out as a meals photographer, it’s tempting to go all-out on prop procuring. You may find yourself spending an absurd amount of cash on delicate handmade props considering that they may single-handedly flip our images into one thing spectacular.
We’ve all been there: considering that the extra props we now have, the simpler it will likely be to take nice images. And but, there’s one aspect we frequently neglect about — trying into what we have already got at house!
Not solely are props discovered in your house tremendous cost-effective (mainly free), they’re additionally among the most versatile items yow will discover. Under are six props you should utilize to raise your meals images that you simply very doubtless already personal.
Mattress Linen
I used to be hesitant to make use of mattress linen in my images till a really current Mom’s Day shoot for a consumer (see above). My objective was to recreate the consolation of a mattress, however on a gentle floor. I took white mattress linen and positioned it over my capturing desk. It labored so properly I ended up experimenting with extra colours and utilizing it as my new go-to background.
It makes good sense. Images backdrops will be costly and mattress linen is already there simply ready for its second to shine! No one will know you’ve used a useful prop from your individual house.
Don’t trouble ironing it — the extra texture, the higher. One final tip: to keep away from an accident, ensure you’re utilizing at the least 4 clamps to securely connect the mattress linen to your capturing desk.
Crops, Herbs, and Flowers
One other prop I merely can’t get sufficient of are crops. When photographing meals, making a seasonal temper can show a problem, particularly if you’re simply beginning to find out about lighting and modifying.
Crops and flowers enable you create that seasonal temper so simply, however additionally they function ingredient clues.
Take my rosewater scorching chocolate shoot (above) for example. I used a gorgeous bunch of recent roses and dried petals to verify the viewer makes an instantaneous connection between roses and the pictured drink.
You don’t must go all out and purchase costly flowers, although. I like to make use of small succulents or herbs which are already rising in my house, or you can seize some dried flowers and use them repeatedly.
Your Grandma’s Cutlery
Okay, not everybody’s grandma has a complicated assortment of classic cutlery, however virtually everybody has amassed some older kitchen items that can be utilized for images.
Previous teacups are the proper instance as are previous plates. These are sometimes much more textured and patterned than trendy crockery, making them the proper addition to your images. Simply bear in mind to make use of them sparingly as their intricate patterns will be barely harder to include into your images. Persist with a balanced mixture of previous and new!
I additionally love utilizing previous recipe books or notes identical to within the image above — they’re so distinctive and might add a gorgeous rustic really feel.
Pickle and Nut Butter Jars
I can already hear you asking: “Are you certain pickle jars are going to wow the viewer?” Hear me out.
When you’ve eliminated the labels and cleaned them completely, pickle and nut butter jars make the proper images prop as they’re minimal and clean sufficient to be simply included into virtually any scene. I want to stay to smaller-sized jars and use them as cups (akin to in my iced espresso shoot above) or use a label maker to embellish them with small textual content that helps give context, akin to flour, cocoa powder, and many others.
Candles
There’s a great cause why candles are big relating to adorning houses: they give the impression of being good and immediately add that cozy feeling.
So why not use them in meals images?
Go for small or medium-sized candles; these received’t draw the eye away out of your hero topic however will nonetheless add a component of curiosity. I like utilizing them in seasonal shoots akin to throughout Christmas, Halloween, Mom’s Day, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, or different celebratory scenes.
Should you’re actually attempting to impress, discover unusually formed candles; twisted and bubble candles (pictured above) are an ideal instance.
White Parchment (Baking) Paper
This record wouldn’t be full with out some of the in style props, an absolute staple in my assortment: for crisp and clear photographs, I like to make use of a sheet of name new, clean baking paper.
Nevertheless, more often than not, I merely take a sheet, scrunch it up in my palms, after which lay it again on my capturing floor (as above). It provides unimaginable texture, whereas its slight transparency makes certain the white isn’t too overpowering or distracting.
3 Ideas for A Higher Prop Assortment
As a full-time meals photographer and meals blogger, I’ve realized that preserving issues easy is usually the very best method. In constructing my prop assortment these are the issues I bear in mind:
Measurement: I intentionally maintain a small prop assortment, making my meals styling faster and pushing me to reinvent the identical props repeatedly.
Selection: As I shoot content material for varied shoppers, I do want a level of versatility in my props. Most of my items are minimal & impartial, with some vibrant & closely patterned items sprinkled in between. Persist with impartial props, however don’t neglect so as to add some daring ones every so often!
Supply: Should you can, attempt to supply your props second-hand. That is so significantly better for the planet, but additionally works out cheaper and leaves you with extra distinctive props! It’s a win-win scenario!
Concerning the creator: Tajda Ferko is a meals photographer & recipe developer behind the favored vegan weblog My Vegan Minimalist.
