Questions to ask before buying props for a food photoshoot

It took me about a year of styling and photographing food and product photos before I considered myself obsessed with props. Also a fan of clearance racks and a good deal, this became a dangerous combination. 

As I navigated the development of a personal style, I made many purchases resulting in props I rarely used. This meant I wasted money and quickly consumed what little space I had to store my photography supplies. 

Over the years, I’ve developed what I consider a good eye for knowing exactly what I need and what I don’t when a potential prop catches my eye. Now, I ask myself these three questions. Hopefully, they will help you when prop shopping for yourself. 

Does it immediately bring a photo to mind?

It has to be more than the prop that catches my eye. It has to create a vision in my head, a photo that I can envision it styled in. If it’s the item alone that I like, well, that’s art for my home, a personal purchase that I may or may not need. If I see it in a photo, then it’s a solid choice for my prop collection and a purchase for my business. 

Can I use it in multiple photos?

I don’t want to create photos that always look the same. If I used this with different backgrounds, light, or linens, would it create a new photo? Or would it look like I keep using the same prop. The props I buy need to look unique, but not so unique that I can’t keep reusing them. It’s a delicate balance that you get better at determining the longer you do this. 

Does it fulfill a need or solve a problem? 

On set, I often think - if I had one of (fill in the blank) it would work so well here or I need more options for (fill in the blank) for a better scene. Garnish dishes such as little cups and plates to hold hold herbs, spices, a spoon, or croutons are always on my list. Or it could be bowls, colanders, and baskets because I often photograph fresh produce. If the item I’m considering fulfills one of those needs, it’s an easy yes. 

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Need more tips for your food and product styling and photography? I’m here to help with 12 years of experience as a solo stylist-photographer working with agriculture boards, brands, and publishers from my home studio. Check out my free resources. 

Reused and Upcycled Props for Food and Product Photography

A little while back, I showed a glass on my Instagram Stories that formerly held a candle. I’d cleaned it up to use as a juice glass in my food and product photography prop collection.

I do this a lot - reuse and upcycle everyday things and keep them as props.

When I asked if you all would like me to go through some examples of these items in my prop collection, I got a lot of yeses. So here you go.

In this video, I go through several props and finish up with photo examples of how I’ve used them.

*Also, minor typo. I said copyrighted when I meant trademarked. Sorry, it was too minor of a mistake to reshoot a whole video so I corrected it in the captions.

Tips for Creative Baking Photos

When I have some time to step away from client work and focus on some creative shooting for myself, I start to think about why I do what I do when I style a shot. Whether I realize it while I’m doing it or after I look at the final photo, it allows me to share my thought process when I step up to my set. 

So I thought I’d share my everyday tips for adding something special to baking shots. Whether you experiment with one of these ideas or apply them all, hopefully they will help keep your creativity top-notch this month. 

For those who like to read, march on with your scroll. Or watch the video below where I break down each element on my set.

Tips for Creative Baking Photos

Use whole grain flours. 

The browns blend better with other color tones and there is a reduced chance they will create a hotspot that is overexposed.

Use raw sugars. 

The texture catches the light and it makes a visually appealing substitute for brown sugar while still giving you a neutral tone. 

Blend textures and materials. 

Wood and metal, gold and silver. Don’t be afraid to mix and match. I often find myself feeling like I need to stay with all silver tones or all copper. You can mix them all. The key is to have a balance and a mix. If you use all silver or brushed nickel and one pop of copper, it might look like it doesn’t fit, but when you blend 2 or more components of each, it looks like it all goes well together. 

Add a natural, where-it-comes-from element.

For nuts, this may be some in the shell, cracked and not yet cracked. Whole vanilla beans are a nice touch as are whole spices. Honeycomb is a fun touch too, if you can get it.

Stack tools for interest.

Whether it’s an overhead shot or at another angle, stacking similar items can give the height and interest in the image.

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