Blog Photography Props - Inspiration, Affordable Options & My Top Picks

It's pretty rare that I'll take a picture for my blog without there being some form of prop.  I've had a couple of questions relating to blog props recently and thought I would go through all things blog prop related - how I gain inspiration, my favourite blog props and what I look out for, plus some affordable alternatives...

Inspiration
Starting off with a quick disclaimer... Of-course when you're surrounded by other bloggers it's hard not to pick up on and naturally take inspiration from the props they use in their photos. However there is definitely a difference between taking inspiration and copying. I think how you use props can really change an image, placement is always important and will change the look of a photo instantly.

Something else I've quickly realised I'm inspired by is the seasons. If I was to write this post in winter I think the blog props I would have included in the main flatlay would have been different. Naturally the warmer weather and summer months draws me to use more greenery and flowers in my images and continue to use blush pinks. In winter I'll swap that for fairy lights, scarfs and autumnal leaves.

The post that I'm writing is another source of inspiration. I try and link the props I'm using in the image to the post so it all ties well together. An example of this is using stationary, a cup of tea and a candle in my image when it is more lifestyle based rather than beauty products. Finally, I get a lot of inspo from browsing online stores such as Anthropology, West Elm and Oliver Bonas. I've found a lot of the props I use are actually home wear items so browsing on these websites gives me inspiration for current trends and inspires my prop choices and what I buy.

Affordable Options
Sometimes I'll go out and purposely want to buy things just to use them as blog props, but then they always end up having another practical use too. When beauty blogging actually using beauty related products always looks good, I love the packaging of this Rimmel lipstick and I don't think there has been a beauty post without my beloved rose gold eyelash curlers. Some affordable shops that I gravitate towards for props are Home Sense, Matalan, H&M and The Range.

H&M - H&M is good for little dishes, porcelain and some bigger props. I recently picked up a little cactus dish and a gold wire basket. I have my eye on this round metal tray for my perfume collection too. This 'Hello Gorgeous' mug is also very Kate Spade esque with I loveeeee! Going into H&M is basically blog prop heaven, so if you get the chance I highly recommend.

Matalan - Of-course it goes without saying Matalan did well with the infamous (very similar to West Elm) blush pink fluffy cushion! I absolutely love mine, it doubles up as a really pretty cushion and a blog prop. They also have a Pom Pom throw which is similar to one I saw in Urban Outfitters. Another thing I currently have my eye on are the amazing faux plants, I love the look of this hanging spider plant. Matalan is perfect for all of those pretty, affordable homewear bits that just so happen to look fab in a flatlay too.

My Top Picks
There are a few things that always seem to creep into the background of my images...
ROSE GOLD EYELASH CURLERS

ROSE GOLD MIRROR - similar

The Inspiration List 
Stationary - diaries, notebooks, gold paper clips... My favourite place is Kikki
Straws - just a little something to add some colour, they work well to fill a space in a flatlay too!
Washi Tape - There are just too many pretty designs to say no, I think I'll be ordering from here next
Books - I have so many amazing reads that just so happen to be blush pink
Prints - prints are perfect for layering in flatlays or to brighten a backdrop
Candles - Whether it's a £5 Home Sense number or a £44 Jo Malone candle, I love 'em!
Flowers - Any excuse to buy fresh blooms!
Jewellery - I always seem to gravitate towards pretty rings
Makeup - If it's rose gold or has pretty packaging, I'll want it!
Flowers - Peony's, roses, to be honest I'm not too fussy
Perfume bottle - The Chloe Love Story bottle is absolute perfection
Cotton buds - it isn't a skincare post without them for me
Rose gold makeup brushes - So Eco helping me out with this one.
Scarf - An essential prop for the colder months to add colour/ texture
Blanket - Not just for cosy nights.
Mugs - Even in Sainsbury's I'll find a mug I feel like I need
Dainty dishes - I think Oliver Bonas and H&M win with this one...
Ribbon - Not something I use all year round, but at Christmas it's a must
Greenery - Can't afford fresh flowers every week? Most greenery will do!
Sunglasses - I pretty much live in my sunglasses so it's only fair to include them in the odd flatlay
Pretty coasters - TKMaxx/ Home Sense, or Anthropology if you can afford to splash out
Makeup Bags - I have my eye on a MaggsLondon makeup bag, the prints are gorgeous!
Magazine pages - Perfect to spice up a flatlay
Phone/ phone case - There are so many amazing marble/ blush pink phone cases that work soooo well

Lust lust/ similar items
I thought to finish off this post I would include a wishlist of some things I have been lusting over that would work perfectly as blog props.

Other online stores for amazing stationary/ homewear cute blog props

https://www.gingerray.co.uk/
http://paperchicco.beautyandthechic.net/product-category/stationery/
https://www.amara.com/shop/brand/kate-spade
https://www.papermash.co.uk/

Where do you find inspiration for your blog photography and what is your go to prop?

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