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.
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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Thank you so much for sharing these great tips!Beauty Candy Loves
Aw no problem Candice! 🙂
What a great source of inspiration! Thank you for sharing this list! Helene // Beautiful Is My Attire
No problem Helen, glad you think so!
So much prop inspiration, thank you! ♥︎ I find season and the type of posts I'm writing affecting my use of props too, although I think I need to get some new ones soon as pretty much everything I have has been used so many times already. Flowers (even fake ones!) would definitely be something! xx
Yeah, I over use a lot of the props I have but it's far too easy to get carried away. Home Sense is amazing for fake flowers 🙂
Great inspiration, sometimes I end up getting a bit lost when it comes to sorting out blog props x Emma | Reverie de Paris
Thank you! I'm the same to be honest, there's a lot of choice x
So many great ideas, thank you for sharing! x
Thank you for reading Parie, glad you liked it!
Such cool ideas for props but I surely need a rose gold curler first 🙈 XOXO… GreenStory
Yes, rose gold curler is essential 😉
This is such a helpful post! Love your photography xwww.lookwhosyorking.blogspot.co.uk
Thank you Emily, glad you like it!
This is such a fab post!!! Your photos always look amazing xAbi | abistreetx
Thank you Abi, glad you like it!
Your photos look amazing! I really like your blog, can't wait to read more – followed! <3www.anacelinelabod.com
Thank you Ana, so lovely of you to say! Hope you continue to like my posts x
You`re right, H&M is perfect for prop decor. Lately however, I`ve been obsessed with The Range, they have a fantastic selection.http://www.carmensreadingcorner.co.uk
Perfect isn't it, I don't have a range local to me but I've loved so many things when I have been in there! x
Thank you for these tips! Your photography is beautifully curated!I've only just started taking an interest in blog photography (late…i know). So, I could really use these tips!Stephwww.socialspying.com
Thank you Steph, that means a lot! Hope this is helpful x
This is SO helpful! Thanks Jodie 🙂 Fatima x http://www.fatimawrites.co.uk
Yay! So glad you found it helpful x
Such a fab post Jodie, really really helpful! I struggle quite a lot with props so definitely saving this one :)The Makeup Directory
Thank you Sally, so glad you've found it helpful… I love your photography and use of props, it's so unique!
Such a useful/helpful post Jodie! I've been on the hunt for some blogging props recently, I want to spice up my photos a bit! Definitely going to browse through oliver bonas now!Lucy | Forever September
Thank you Lucy! So glad you think so… There's so many different options. Oliver Bonas has so many beautiful pieces x
Thank you Lucy! So glad you think so… There's so many different options. Oliver Bonas has so many beautiful pieces x
I need me some Jo Malone stuff, they make the cutest props!! Fab post my love x Robyn / http://www.phasesofrobyn.com
Yeah, they're just so nice to have in general but do look pretty amazing in pictures too! Thank you lovely x
This post was great! It's full of inspiration, I love it xxxhttp://fallingforablog.blogspot.com.es/2017/05/huge-summer-wishlist-with-zaful.html
Thank you Ana, glad you liked it!
Thanks for the inspo!! As affordable options I would add products from stores like Home H&M which turn up to be lovely for some pictures!! Thanks for sharing!Brooks | Live. Laugh. Love & Make Up
You're welcome, I'm glad it was helpful x
I love H&M for blog props and just bought a blush pink tray that works perfectly. I also just got some rose cold eyelash curlers so I might use them too. Thanks for the inspired and you wish list of things you want for blog props is so nice. Jackie | fashionxfairytale |
Oo really? I'll have to have a look for that, anything blush pink and I'm all over it!
Lots of lovely picks and inspiration here Jodie! I love a good pair of rose gold lash curlers to add some metallic to a photo 🙂 Ambar x | Her Little Loves
Thank you Ambar, I just can't leave them out haha, I love the way they look!
This is such a helpful post! I tend to use brushes or just other makeup, this adds so much variety though I will definitely be trying some of your ideas and of course I love rose gold everything haha, thank you for sharing xALittleKiran | Bloglovin | Blog Sale
Thank you for sharing, I am going to have to make some purchases!Danielle xxhttp://www.fashionbeautyblog.co.uk/
I love the post! Also your photos are amazing! I have so many pieces I want to add to my prop list now!Thanks for the inspirationStacey xwww.staceylouisewhite.co.uk
Ah the rose gold eyelash curlers are so lush! I love a good prop, I literally can't go shopping without seeing with blog eyes now haha! xxLaura | http://www.mylauralife.co.uk
I will definitely be checking out some of these items! Fab post Hun! xMaiya | http://www.maiyabellexo.co.uk
Although you wouldn't normally think about eyelash curlers being a prop those rose gold ones you own look amazing in your photos, not to mention that rose gold mirror as well it just adds that extra something to the image. I really need to go blog prop shopping soon! Charlotte / Charlotte's Picks