Whether you are in commercial photography, you’re looking to make something to supplement a business website or social media, or you just want to create something beautiful, photography can be your greatest friend.
PHOTOGRAPHY
It can elevate real-life experiences. With the right props, lighting, and a little trickery, you can make a stroll in the garden an escape to a woodland wonderland, or the most romantic 200th date ever, or even make a solid memory even more special.
But it takes a little know-how and a few props. A lot of them are very affordable and using them right, in new and creative ways, can give you some high-quality shots. Read our list of props that should be in your photography toolkit next to your lenses.
Lights
To say lights might seem a bit obvious, but there are lots of ways you can incorporate lights to create an atmosphere, beyond making sure your subject is in view.
You can incorporate some small fairy lights to your scene, which can add a touch of magic to whatever you are photographing. The perk of fairy lights is that they are very light, with minimal wiring so you can manipulate them around whatever you feel like.
Or you can make use of a light wand. Adjust the brightness and the color for a range of possibilities. Draw a string of light across your photo to highlight your subject or surround them with neon color for a futuristic feel, or simply set the mood with pops of color across your photo.
Flowers
Flowers are the natural glitter of the world, universally loved as the freckles on the face of the Earth, and yet individual, with their own assets and meanings behind them.
In general, they invoke nature, so they’ll be less seen in a new tech marketing campaign, for example, but when they are used, it’s useful to know what you are buying. There are flowers associated with weddings, death, hope, and every type of love you can think of: true love, unrequited love, familial love, etc.
You can create a classic still life, with flowers surrounding the centerpiece you are looking to photograph, be that an item to market, or something else that has caught your eye. And for a classy addition, add a couple of stemless champagne flutes. The hand-blown glasses will make a great addition to your table or still life scene.
Extras
If you want to add something a little extra, there are loads of options. Think about what you are trying to get across, in terms of a feeling or message, and think of the items that have the same connotations.
For some additional fun, incorporate some smoke bombs to the shoot. Your subject will be enveloped in vivid color that will make an immediate atmosphere. It will add texture, dimension, and movement to your shoot with a simple prop.
Another prop that is gaining popularity is the crystal ball. It can warp surroundings, without making them unclear, making for some interesting and dynamic shots.
Images by Filippo del Vita for DSCENE.