Ever since I started blogging over a year and a half ago, I’ve been getting more and more into food photography. I’ve learned so much about lighting and my pictures have gotten a lot better. Lately, I’ve been focusing on styling my pictures with props. Today I’m sharing a few of the places I find inexpensive food photography props.
One of the best things about being a food blogger (besides eating the food, of course!) is having an excuse to buy cute plates, silverware and paper straws. I don’t have to pass up something I love because it doesn’t go with my kitchen or my other dishes. I have an excuse to build a little collection of mismatched items for taking photos.
I took several food photography classes on Skillshare awhile back. These classes inspired me to start building a collection of props. Since then, I’ve been looking for places to find great deals on these props.
Thrift Stores and Garage Sales
This is definitely my favorite place to search for props! We recently got a new Goodwill a couple of minutes from my house, so I try to stop in every few weeks. You can pick up little plates, bowls or cups for under a dollar.
One of my favorite finds was the tea pot pictured above. Isn’t it adorable? I still need to find a way to incorporate it into my photos for a recipe.
Craft Stores
The possibilities are endless! Scrapbook paper is great for adding a fun background to your photo, like I did in the picture above. Baskets are great for taking pictures of muffins, breads or cookies. Making a bouquet from their flowers can add a pretty touch to a photo.
Dollar Stores
I like to stop by the dollar store when I want to include an entire tablescape in my post, such as my Date Night Cookout idea. They have some cute placemats, tablecloths, candles and more. You can also buy plates, cups and more.
Target Dollar Section
I have to limit my trips to Target because I rarely leave empty-handed! Especially when I let myself explore the dollar section… But, I’ve found a lot of great items for food photography there! It’s one of my favorite places to buy paper straws. They have some really cute designs and they are only $1!
Around the House
And of course, don’t forget that you can repurpose all sorts of items that you find around the house! Use ingredients from the recipe you are creating, like I did in the picture above. Use napkins leftover from a party or fabric from your sewing basket.
Amanda Marie says
June 8, 2015 at 8:19 amGreat post! I LOVE food photography! I have taken several courses in college and it was interesting what props we used in class, lets say you would not want to eat the food afterwards! I love finding dishware and other kitchen items at goodwill! I have a great collection of mugs from travel mugs to vintage mugs, I love it! Target and the dollar store are great to find cheap buys also! Thanks for sharing!
~Amanda Marie~
Jenna Brussee says
June 9, 2015 at 7:54 amMy mug collection is something I need to start building up! I love having a variety of interesting mugs rather than have them all match.
Karen says
June 8, 2015 at 8:47 amGreat ideas!
You should stop by my blog and join our Something to Talk About link party each Monday!
Have a great week!
Karen
Jenna Brussee says
June 9, 2015 at 7:55 amThank you, Karen!
Jaelan @ Making Mrs. M says
June 8, 2015 at 9:05 amThat is so awesome! I need to start getting some different props. I recently made a pseudo-photo board which really helps my up close photography.
Jenna Brussee says
June 9, 2015 at 7:55 amThanks, Jaelan! I need to make something like that. I’ve seen some neat DIY ideas on Pinterest, so I need to get around to making some.
Paige Allison says
June 8, 2015 at 9:18 amI love this!! You know, I do a recipe post once or twice a month and it’s never once occurred to me to use a prop. Not once! My kitchen has excellent lighting and I have awesome high-end stainless steel pans, so I just thought, “That’s good!” But this is so much more creative! Thanks for inspiring me 🙂
Jenna Brussee says
June 9, 2015 at 7:56 amThanks, Paige! Adding some colorful napkins, pretty plates or fun paper straws will really add a lot to your pictures.
Brittany Bergman says
June 8, 2015 at 9:56 amThese are great ideas! I don’t do much food photography, but I do want to get better about styling my own pictures for my blog, and I think these tips will be so helpful in starting to gather some fun props. Thanks for the inspiration!
Jenna Brussee says
June 9, 2015 at 7:57 amHaving props definitely comes in handy for all sorts of blog photos! I hope some of these tips helped you.
Hayley says
June 8, 2015 at 10:09 amThis is a great list!! I recently found a great set of milk glasses in the Target dollar section and they worked perfectly with a sponsored post I pulled together for an iced coffee product!! A trip to Target is not complete without walking through that section! 😉
Jenna Brussee says
June 9, 2015 at 7:57 amYou just never know what you’ll find there! I’m not a fan of the new $3 items, I get excited thinking something is $1 and then find out it’s not!
Amanda Elizabeth says
June 8, 2015 at 11:14 amI love trying to think of creative ways to add props or pops of color to pictures. These are all such great points! The dollar bin at Target is my happy place 🙂
Jenna Brussee says
June 9, 2015 at 7:58 amI love it! I always have to swing by before I leave the store.
Cristina says
June 8, 2015 at 11:51 amLove these ideas! My photos are pretty basic right now, just because we move so much, but I cannot WAIT to get my hands on some props. That teapot is ADORABLE.
Jenna Brussee says
June 9, 2015 at 7:58 amYour photos are already so great! I’m excited to see what you do with some props.
Cristina says
June 9, 2015 at 8:48 amAw, thank you!
Miranda @ Miranda Writes says
June 8, 2015 at 11:55 amYES to the Target dollar section! I love hunting for cute props there. I always try to grab their paper straws when I see them and I LOVE using my thrift finds, especially my glassware. Great tips about the craft and dollar stores!
Jenna Brussee says
June 9, 2015 at 7:59 amI know you have some awesome thrift store finds, Miranda! Last week I found a really great thrift store in my area and thought of your post a couple weeks ago.
Miranda @ Miranda Writes says
June 12, 2015 at 12:11 pmOh fun! I’m glad you found a great spot!
Heather Serra says
June 8, 2015 at 2:14 pmTarget dollar section! I always pass that when I walk in but I never think to check it out. These are great pics. I love your photos…thanks for passing these tips along!
Jenna Brussee says
June 9, 2015 at 7:59 amYou never know what you’ll find there! They often have cute dishes or cups that are perfect for food photography.
Madison says
June 8, 2015 at 4:29 pmThese are great places to find props! I absolutely love walking through the Target dollar section every time I’m there, so many times it sparks my creativity for a blog post idea just because of a prop!
Jenna Brussee says
June 9, 2015 at 8:01 amI love how you do that! The dollar section is definitely a must for each trip to Target. You know, just in case!
Mandy says
June 8, 2015 at 5:10 pmI’m a huge fan of the straws from the Target dollar section! They make me wish I posted drink recipes – lol 😉
Jenna Brussee says
June 9, 2015 at 8:01 amAren’t they adorable? I need to start using them more or I’ll have a million of them.
Chelsie Carr says
June 8, 2015 at 7:59 pmI just picked up some straws from the Target dollar section because I have seen you use them before and thought: I may need to use these some day, haha! I think the dollar store is also a great place!
Jenna Brussee says
June 9, 2015 at 8:02 amAww, that’s awesome! They really add a lot to a drink photo. I’ve also used them to dress up tablescapes for party idea posts.
ashortblonde says
June 9, 2015 at 10:23 amI’ve been feeling the need to add a few more pieces into my collection. I’d really like to buy a slab of white marble (well not really marble, but something that looks like it haha). My table is such a dark brown and it would be nice to have more contrast.
Jenna Brussee says
June 10, 2015 at 9:34 amI would LOVE a slab of marble, too. It looks awesome in photos.
Amberly says
June 9, 2015 at 11:47 amI love these suggestions! I don’t take food pictures too often, but when I do, I’m always lost about what to use for props.
Jenna Brussee says
June 10, 2015 at 9:40 amThanks, Amberly! Having a collection of props makes it easier because you don’t have to rack your brain for what to use!
Toyin Alli says
June 9, 2015 at 1:34 pmYes! Loving these suggestions! I never post food pics because I don’t have good props!
Jenna Brussee says
June 10, 2015 at 9:40 amI’m glad these ideas helped you! I can’t wait to see the food photos you share now that you have some ideas.
Kaycie VandenTop says
June 9, 2015 at 6:06 pmThis is great! I am planning some recipe posts for my blog in the next month and I will definitely be keeping my eyes out at some of these places for some props! Also, I am with you on the Target dollar section. I can never make it out of there without at least three things. great post, Jenna! 🙂
Jenna Brussee says
June 10, 2015 at 9:41 amThe Target dollar section is the best! I’ve found it is such a great place for props.
Lauren English says
June 10, 2015 at 1:29 pmThanks for sharing these tips! As I get more into blogging, I’m realizing how important photography is. I have so much to learn and love any tips like this I can get my hands on!
Jenna Brussee says
June 12, 2015 at 7:39 amAfter content, photography is probably the most important thing for blogging! The more I focus on improving my photography, the more my blog grows.
theladylawyer says
June 10, 2015 at 2:11 pmI love Target dollar section too! I also always search through Marshall and TjMaxx clearance sections and have found good stuff
Jenna Brussee says
June 12, 2015 at 7:40 amThose are great places, too! I had to realize it’s ok to buy things that don’t match the rest of my kitchen, and I don’t have to buy a whole set. It’s ok to just buy one or two pieces for food photography! Clearance racks are a great place to find things like that.
Erin says
June 10, 2015 at 4:25 pmGah. The Target dollar section has gotten SO MUCH of my money because I get props from there all the time! I also love garage sales (and estate sales!) to pick up cool and unique props. It’s fun to add to your prop selection, for sure!
Jenna Brussee says
June 12, 2015 at 7:41 amI’ve gotten a few cool things from garage sales, too. Last night I went to Target and it was an absolute miracle I came out of the dollar section empty-handed!
Rachel Beach says
June 11, 2015 at 7:32 pmI got most of my props from Home Goods. The target dollar section is awesome! I will often pinch myself later because I wish I had bought more colors. Thanks for sharing on Merry Monday.
Jenna Brussee says
June 12, 2015 at 7:48 amI totally should have put Home Goods on this list! I love that place. I recently got some really cute purple bowls there and I can’t wait to use them in a post.
Christie says
June 12, 2015 at 7:26 amGreat ideas! I always look for cheap decorative plates when I go to thrift stores. Thanks so much for sharing with us at Bloggers Brags. Your pictures always look great, by the way! 🙂
Jenna Brussee says
June 12, 2015 at 7:49 amAww thanks, Christie! Thrift stores are a great place to find unique dishes.