My Favorite Inexpensive Photo Backgrounds
I really only started caring about my photography last October. Since then, my Instagram following has increased from the 600s to almost 5000 followers. I’ve been able to present more professional images on this blog which in turn has increased the amount of interest I’ve gotten from readers and brands. I wanted to give you a look behind the scenes at some of my staples.
Today’s post is about all of the props I use as backgrounds in my photos. Many backgrounds are actually free or extremely inexpensive if you just keep your eyes open and think outside the box!
From least to most expensive, here are my favorite inexpensive photo backgrounds.
1. Sheets – free! (assuming you have sheets on your bed 🙂 )
Many time when I take pictures of clothes, I like the soft look of my comforter as a background. You can also use sheets in different colors to help achieve varying shots.
2. Walls – (free!)
So many of my food pictures use the surroundings as a background. Look for a unique or brightly colored wall to use in your shot. If you like a clean, bright picture, see if they have any white tables. Sometimes if the lighting is too dark or there isn’t a good setting inside, I’ll walk my food outside and take a picture of it in better lighting!
3. Pizza Box – (free ~ $20)
This is by far one of my favorite backgrounds. Depending on how expensive your pizza is, this background can be super cheap to work with. You could even stop into a local shop and simply ask for a box, which many places won’t have a problem with.
I use my pizza box for larger overhead shots such as the one below.
4. Vinyl Tiles – (less than $1)
Stop by your local hardware store (I got these at Home Depot and Menards) and pick up some vinyl floor tiles. These cost me less than $1 a piece and the white one was only $0.49!
5. Stone Sample – ($4-$10)
Depending on which style you choose, you can get a stone sample at Home Depot or other hardware store for anywhere from $4-$10. This marble square cost me $4.86 and has been the backdrop of a lot of my photos recently. It’s definitely heavier than the other options, but the photos come out looking great!
6. Vinyl Backdrops 3×2 ft. – ($19.99 + S&H)
If you are looking for high quality, portable backdrops, vinyl is the way to go. I got these two from Ink and Elm and you can easily roll them up to store or transport!
Remember – backgrounds are great, but if you really want to make your photos pop and look professional, you need to edit them. I take all of my pictures on my phone and use VSCO Cam to edit them before posting them on the blog or social media.
For more info on editing your photos with VSCO, check out this super helpful tutorial by BGB Community that I wish I had when trying to figure out the app!
Questions:
- What do you use as your backgrounds?
- Do you edit your pictures? What software do you use?
It also helps that you have photog skillz (which I don’t have) and an eye for good lighting. But you have definitely kicked ass and made a brand of your photography!
Susie @ SuzLyfe recently posted…The Benefits of Moving
As long as it’s in the sun I’m good. Idk how to fool w lights
How have I never thought of using vinyl tiles?! This post just changed my (photo) life. Thanks Erin!
YES I’m glad I helped!
I have a ton of those photo vinyl photo backdrops and don’t use them anymore. Any idea how I might sell them?
Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious recently posted…Orange Carrot Ginger Juice {GF, Low Cal, Paleo, Vegan}
Ask in FB groups. I’m sure there are bloggers who would buy them!
Haha at the pizza box! Such great ideas. I think I need those vinyl sheets to mix things up, as my wood counter top is pretty 90s.
Bri recently posted…Tone It Up Bikini Series 2016 – My first impressions of the program
It doesn’t even look like vinyl either!
These are all great idea – especially the pizza box idea! So crafty!
Pragati // Simple Medicine recently posted…Costco Shopping Guide: Part Seven
Thanks girl! It’s been a lifesaver
Hah! Love that pizza box tip! I certainly have plenty of those pass through our house!
Blair recently posted…Buttered Dilly New Potatoes
Excellent! I use it all the time actually
This is so helpful! Thanks Erin. I never would have thought about a pizza box for a white backdrop. That’s genius.
Jen @ Pretty Little Grub recently posted…Pros and Cons of Real Food for Running Fuel
I know! I use it all the time!
Thank you for this! I basically use walls, a wooden chair, and a little square of wood I picked up from the Target $3 spot, and I’ve been looking for more (cheap) ideas. This is fabulous.
Ellen @ My Uncommon Everyday recently posted…I’m Just Really Grateful
Glad you found it helpful!!
I’m always usually sheets and walls. Got a few funny looks when I found the perfect wall and was holding up my food to it on the busy streets though haha
Carmy recently posted…Try it Tuesday: Crossfit YKV
Oh man me too. I did that just yesterday. At this point I’m used to it now 🙂
I am going to take note on all of these..what great ideas! I’ve always loved your photos. What program do you use to create the photos with the font on them? I love the faded out square with the words over it on your main photo to this post!
Sara @ Oats & Rows recently posted…Friday Favorites
Thanks Sara! I use canva for everything it’s such a lifesaver! I have a presentation coming up next month and I think I’m going to use it for that too instead of power point
This. Is. Brilliant. I have a summer goal to improve my photography and get more creative with backdrops so this has come a the perrrrrrfect time.
Cora recently posted…Ready Or Not: My Summer Plans. Part 2
Awesome! Yeah it just takes a little outside of the box thinking and you’d be surprised how many options you find!
Hi!! My website is a soon to come affair but meanwhile I’m trying to learn as much as possible. Your ideas, for example, are epic. Love them! My own favorite is contact paper over goal core board. There are so many styles of contact paper. For a couple of dollars you can have a background to match whatever your need is! And for editing, I like Aviary. It’s free and has lots of options for editing. I’m going to check out your suggestion. I can’t say I have an eye for photography, but I sure have fun in the editing process. Thank you!
That sounds super easy to make what a great idea! Good luck on your site launch!!
Would like to say that I recently got some backdrops from Ink and Elm and they were total garbage. The printer that prints on the vinyl had run out of ink towards the end of the roll and it was showing all dots instead of the texture they were supposed to print. Also, when I ordered some larger backdrops recently the image they had used to print was not high resolution enough and the pattern was all blurry. Total waste of $350.
Oh man I’m so sorry. I haven’t gotten anything from them in several years – hope their quality hasn’t gone downhill!