Make Your Photos Unique by Using Props

It’s easy to follow the current trends when you book yourself a portrait session to promote your brand or celebrate a milestone; be it a birthday, engagement or wedding anniversary. But here is the danger with that, your photo will look like everyone else’s. So how do you make your photos more unique? Simple, bring along a few props.

Props are anything that you can use to add some flair and character to your photos. They can be objects that you love, use, or collect, such as a football, a bike, tennis rackets, your purple couch, or anything else that tells the story of who you are. Props can also be items that relate to the theme, location, or occasion of your portrait session, such as balloons, flowers, or banners. Props are not the same as fashion accessories (eg. sunglasses, scarves, hats, etc.), though these are also a plus.

So how do you choose the right props for your photos? Here are some tips:

Choose props that are meaningful to you.
The best props are the ones that have a personal significance or sentimental value to you. They should represent something that you love, enjoy, or care about.

Choose props that are appropriate for the theme.
Your props should act as supporting cast members, helping to tell a more compelling story about the hero, you. It should help to enhance the photograph not distract. Choose props that complement the theme and concept of your portrait session.

Choose props that are easy to carry and use.
The props that you use should not be too heavy, bulky, or fragile. You should be able to carry them easily from one place to another and use them without any difficulty or risk.

Rent or borrow props where possible.
If the prop you want for your portrait session is not something you own but works well with your theme or location, ask a friend or family member if they own something similar and if you can borrow it. You can also rent props from local prop houses for a fraction of the cost.

Here are a few examples of props being used:

Props used in the photos above include a Macbook, a succulent, a notebook, a birthday cake, balloons, a picnic basket, KFC, strawberries, a saxophone, exercise mats, and cinematography equipment. | * The main photo for this blog article only had 2 props; a cell phone and a bench.