Styling photos for blog posts on TBM has become one of my favorite things to do. So much so that I always find myself buying little random things I don’t need to use as photo props. Angela and I are both the girls at the coffee shop taking pictures of our lattes and freelance work setups. Sometimes I feel silly taking photos in public but then I just tell myself it’s part of the job. :)
While I’m guilty of buying small things just to use them as blog photography props, I also have realized that there are a ton of every day items (probably in our households) that are perfect to use in photos! Check out the list below for some ideas of what to include in your styled photos.
Flowers & Plants: My roommates and I are true houseplant hoarders so I always grab one or two of our plants when I’m taking photos for the blog. Now that it’s peony season, I’m sure I’ll have a bouquet in the house every couple weeks and you’d better believe I’ll be photographing them a ton.
Small Office Supplies: You might have guessed how much we love office supplies by the number of workspace roundups we post. I’m all for buying desk accessories that are both cute and useful.
Fabric: I went through a vintage fabric collecting phase a few years ago, and I love sneaking the pretty patterns into my photos every now and then. If you don’t have random fabric lying around, use a big scarf or your bed sheets as a backdrop to make your photos look extra dreamy.
Craft Supplies: Colored pencils, a roll of twine, washi tape, paint brushes… If you’re a crafter, show off your colorful arts & craft supply collection!
Stationery: I love including a notebook or two whenever I style photos for TBM. Check out our workspace roundups for inspiration here, here, and here.
Confetti: You guys have confetti lying around your house, right? Haha. Just kidding, that is probably just me. To make your own, follow this DIY confetti tutorial Angela posted back in February!
Techy Devices: If you blog about design, social media, small biz, etc. sneak your laptop, tablet, or phone into your bloggy photos!
Candles: Always a good addition to photos and to your workspace in general. Read my post on creating a comfortable work environment to see what scents make you more productive!
Trinket Trays: I think little decorative catchalls are perfect for adding a little somethin’ to styled photos.
If you need to stock up on some multi-purpose items like these, check out my favorite products below:
1. Honey Tobacco Votive | Rosy Rings
2. Petite Party Dots iPhone Case | Ban.do
3. Speckled Turquoise Ring Dish | The Object Enthusiast
4. Mod Metal Planter | Urban Outfitters
5. The Standard Notebook | Iron Curtain Press
6. Throw Botanical Confetti | LEIF
7. Fountain Washi Tape | Dormify
8. New Rorscharch Notebook Set | Rifle Paper Co.
9. Heritage Scissors | Moorea Seal
10. Pillar Mug | LEIF
Do you regularly style photos for your blog or are you just dipping your feet? What are your go-to props?
Jane says
This was such a helpful post! Thank you for the tips :)
Ellé Simpson says
Great post, I’m forever running out of ideas!
Ellé | http://www.ellesimpson.co.uk
Millie says
Plants are my favourite way to dress up a photo! x
http://www.abeautyromance.com
http://www.abeautyromance.com
helen says
Great post, I’m trying to work on my photography skills and I’ve come away with fab ideas. Thank you!
Kaylee Karcher says
Awesome post girly! I also am ALWAYS buying little trinkets as props (thank you Target 1-5$ section) ….and i feel silly as well when I take pictures of my lattes in public because i look “basic” but oh well!! You have so many good prop ideas!
Gemma says
Fabulous ideas!
Gemma
http://www.fadedwindmills.com
Gemma says
Fabulous ideas!!
Gemma
http://www.fadedwindmills.com
Ariadna says
I always use my phone or a cool phone case, as well as cute stationery! It’s something that I always have around. If I have flowers I’ll also try to use them to add a pop of colour :) x
Ariadna || RAWR BOWS
Rae says
Great ideas for taking incredible blog photos! Thanks for the tips!
Rae | Love from Berlin
coffeeslag says
Definitely bookmarking this because I’ve just started to get into flat lays and they’re so difficult without the right props!! I love the confetti that you linked and I think I’ll actually purchase it. They come in such gorgeous colors!
COFFEESLAG Bringing Back The ’90s
Skylar Allen says
This is such a great post. Thanks for the inspiration!
xo, Skylar
http://www.styledbyskylar.com
Divya says
Great tips!
http://www.eatwearwander.com
lifestyleandso says
lovely post,so helpful x
lifestyleandso.blogspot.com
Arianna says
Hahahah! I love the confetti part! I would love to have a lot of them all around my house :) It actually is such a nice and simple idea that I might do it right away! And I love all your other tips!
Aria
https://pandaonavespa.wordpress.com/welcome/
Dara says
These are great ideas! Thank you for sharing!
— Dara // http://www.peoniesandhoneybees.com
Keshia White says
Great tips! I love using flowers in my photos! I also like throwing in a magazine or book here and there and even some sunglasses! Photo styling is so fun! lol
Keshia
http://www.queenlifeblog.com
Jess says
I never would have thought about having fabrics in there, awesome post! x
Cine Pakistan says
Great post! thanks for sharing this. ♥
Gio says
My phone is full of photos taken specifically for later use in my writings. Anything is a good subject for the right theme. And to get rid of unwanted shadows (for indoors photos) well-placed sheets of white paper are a great solution.
Gen Petiteau says
This is a good one 😊👌
Roxanne says
Super helpful thank you :)
Kyra says
I’ll definitely be trying some of these out! Thank you so much!
-Kyra | lovekyra.000webhostapp.com