How to Make Cheap Photo Props

Craft supplies transform prop items into completely different props.

Photography props help bring photos to life. Models interact with props to convey messages and emotions and to overcome stiff, lifeless poses. Props establish an environment that tells a story and gives the model a symbol with which to develop presence. A photographer with props at his disposal is prepared to inspire models and create meaningful images. Making cheap photo props provides more flexibility and reduces the cost of a photo shoot. Making such props involves stocking up on low cost craft supplies, finding reusable materials, collecting free props in nature and transforming materials into unique props.

Things You'll Need

• Craft supplies
• Man-made, reusable prop items
• Natural prop items

Instructions

1. Stock up on craft supplies with multiple uses by buying from wholesale or bulk retailers. These vendors sell supplies at low per-unit prices. Craft supplies includes things like cardboard, foam core board, packing peanuts, glitter, glue, landscaping gravel, construction paper, and finger and spray paint. Get basic items that have many applications to maximize the value and reduce the overall cost of the supplies. For example, instead of multicolored glitter, silver glitter may have more applications.

2. Collect free or cheap prop items that are reusable by exploring Dumpsters, alleyways and garage sales. Such materials may include furniture, knickknacks, electronics and clothing. Collect items that convey specific messages or help frame the shot. Clocks symbolize time, a model can show rebellion with smashed electronics, and doors or windows can help frame a shot. Even damaged materials or those that you destroy for a shoot can make interesting props. You can employ many of these reusable props without altering them.

3. Collect free prop materials from nature at the beach, in the woods, wetlands or desert. Nature's props include leaves, seaweed and kelp, seashells, boulders, dead shrubs and branches, plant and flower clippings, tumbleweed, cactuses and bird feathers. You can use many of nature's props in a shoot without altering them.

4. Transform reusable props or natural ones by altering them with craft supplies. For example, you may transform furniture, clocks, electronics, clothing, seaweed, seashells, boulders, branches and bird feathers. Transform old cushions into a meditation pillow, or turn a clock into a model's abstract face mask. Cover headphones with glitter for a young musician, or destroy and reassemble clothing to create texture surfaces. Paint dried kelp and seaweed for a swamp or marine set, or paint seashells and turn your model into a mythical sea creature. Write a message on a boulder for your model to bring to life in a pose, give the model branches for an environmental theme, or toss a bird feather in the air and tell the model to look at it with a soothing expression.

Tips & Warnings

• The most valuable props are adaptable to various photos and offer a lot of possibilities.

• Do not spend money on things you can make at a lower cost.

• Always check the safety instructions on any craft supplies that may be hazardous, and work according to the conditions suggested by the manufacturer.

• Do not steal props (taking them from private or public property without authorization).

Resources

• Scenography: The Theater Design Website
• Artslynx: Scenery Resources
• Arts Alive: Set And Prop Designs