One of the best things about belonging to a photography group on social media is seeing what other professionals use for props during their shoots. You get a daily dose of inspiration by looking at what others use during their sessions.
While looking through friends’ pictures or just glancing on Pinterest, I have noticed that some use certain props in their pictures for all kinds of reasons. Pictures of high school seniors and family mini sessions show different kinds of props, such as chairs, baskets, stools, and seasonal décor. I realized the props were an advantage for the subject because the photographer can use the props to show off their subject in different ways. The photographer can place the prop in another part of the set up or move the subject around the prop to gain a different perspective through the eye of the camera.
Once you see the amazing props and how the photographer uses them, you start planning ideas for your next shoot. However, you can’t help but think that because you don’t have the same props, you won’t be able to achieve the same outcome.
That particular photographer obviously lives in a different state, so you won’t be able to find the same exact props. Also, the photographer may own a prop that has been passed down from a family member. This doesn’t mean you can’t succeed in finding a prop that is close to what you want for your next shoot.
When it comes to photography though, you don’t want to place a prop in a photo just to say you have one. You don’t want to use a basket or a chair with the subject if it isn’t going to enhance the subject or the photograph. If it doesn’t look right or it’s not needed, don’t use it. In time, you will learn when it is appropriate for the situation.
However, if you are interested in finding certain props for a shoot, the best place to look are antique stores or thrift stores. Now, don’t be fooled by the name “antique”. A lot of resale shops may have the word “antique” in their store name, but they will most likely sell all kinds of things that aren’t too terribly expensive. You can find good buys in these types of stores if you want a certain type of prop. Places like Goodwill or the equivalent are a good place to start.
For example, if you are shooting a family photo session, you might want to look at buying a long wooden crate for some of the family members to sit on to help balance out the number of people in the shoot. This helps with making sure all of the family members are on the same plane when getting everyone in focus. Some of these stores will have wooden crates or similar props and sometimes they can cost more than you are willing to pay. However, if it’s a good price, it may be worth it for you. I bought some plastic pumpkins from Walmart, which were on sale, for my fall family sessions. A prop like this gives the child something to hold in his or her lap and will add a nice pop of fall color to the picture.
So if you decide to start shopping for some props, here are a few tips to take along for your search:
- Make sure you take a few hours to look at as many shops as possible to see what is out there. You don’t have to look at every store in one day, but realize that there are so many kinds of stores and you never know until you look. Discovering stores in other cities is good, too.
- When you go inside a shop, make sure you look all around, especially up at displays. A lot of times some of the items will be above your head. If you don’t look up, you might miss something. Some stores will have items hanging from the ceiling for decorative purposes. Many of these items will be for sale.
- When you pick something up, examine it closely and make sure it is in good condition. While I was looking for a chair, I pushed on the seat to make sure it was sturdy and wasn’t going to break after one use. You want to make sure you are getting a good prop for your money.
- It never hurts to ask for a lower price on an item. If you like something, ask if you can take it home for a lower price. The chair that I looked at was so high, I couldn’t see the price tag. However, the owner of the shop called the owner of the item and instead of telling him the actual amount on the price tag, she asked him instead for what he would charge for it. I ended up paying a $15 less than what the tag had on it. Don’t pay a high price for something if you don’t honestly think it’s worth it. You can usually find another similar prop somewhere else. You need to know if you are going to get a lot of use out of it.
- Think outside the box. Just because you find a prop in a certain color, doesn’t mean you can’t change it. Purchasing some paint isn’t very expensive and it can bring new life to the chair or prop.
6. Have fun! It is always enjoyable to look around at antique shops and see what they have to offer. You never know what you are going to find.
Meet the author: Erin Worthington received her B.F.A. from Brenau University and a master’s degree from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She is a natural light photographer, specializing in families, seniors, and engagement photography.
Erin was born and raised in Chattanooga and she and her husband now reside in Cleveland, Tennessee. She became interested in photography while in college, with her grandfather as her familial influence.
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