Props are used to spice up ordinary photos by enhancing the subject. However, professional props can be very expensive. If you are looking to jazz up your shots, but don’t have the money to buy pro props, don’t despair. There are hundreds of ways you can add visually stimulating objects to your images without breaking the bank.
Most professional photo studios have a litany of props, from benches, columns and chairs to luxurious backdrops, antique benches and faux staircases. If you want to simulate the look of a pro portrait studio in your home, then get creative. Design your own set by placing a little bench in front of a clean cloth or draping. If you are trying to capture a subject’s love of art, then pose her next to an easel and some paint cans.
Just remember that props are designed to enhance a photo subject, not overwhelm him. That means if you are taking a picture of a basketball player, it is not a good idea to crowd the shot with dozens of balls, a basket, mountains of sneakers and a huge shot clock.
The same goes for holiday-themed shots: less is more. Easter photos don’t need to be cluttered with baskets, bunnies and oodles of painted eggs. Rather, consider placing your subject in a field of spring flowers and have her carry a single basket with a few eggs inside. For Christmas-themed images, don’t go overboard by placing your subject in front of a tree with so many gifts that he or she gets lost in the pageantry. Instead, consider using a fireplace as a backdrop and placing one or two small props in the shot, especially if your subject is dressed in her Christmas finest. You want all eyes to be on your well-dressed subject, not on a mountain of pretty wrapped presents.
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