Planning a successful still life photography shoot.

It's all in the detail, finding the right props and backgrounds for your still life product shoot can make the difference when it comes to advertising your product. We always suggest a professional product stylist to elevate the style and overall look but we realise this is not always possible. If you are happy to take the time and are working on a tighter budget then sourcing these items yourself may be the way to go, but it's important to get it right. In this blog post, we'll discuss some tips for creating amazing product photography that tell a story and help sell your products!

The images featured were created from a recent shoot, can you guess if a professional stylist was used? (answer at end of the post)

If you're a product photographer in London the UK or anywhere else for that matter you'll know that it's important to make your photography stand out, one way to achieve this is with a stylist. Howlett photography works with lots of different stylists including product & prop stylists, food & drink stylist and cosmetic & beauty stylists to name a few so there are always lots of options to choose from. A good stylist can help with brief creation, prop sourcing and of course be on set to help position the products. A stylist will work closely and in collaboration with the photographer and with as much input from the client as possible. The right props and backgrounds can make a big difference in creating a shot that sells. But if you're working on a tight budget, sourcing these items yourself may be the way to go.

Let's discuss some tips for planning, sourcing creating and making amazing props and backgrounds that will help the product photography tell a story when budgets are tight and a professional stylist isn't an option.

1.Create a brief or mood board - This is vital, if you don't have a plan or idea of what you want to achieve then it's going to be very difficult (and costly) to source the right items. So take some time to sit down and think about what kind of look and feel you want to create. What is the message you want to communicate with your photography? what style of photography do you like? Are your competitors creating something you would like to emulate?

2. Know your audience - What are they looking for? What kind of products do they like? What kind of style do they prefer? Answering these questions will help you narrow down your search and find the right items for your shoot.

3. Think outside the box - When it comes to props and backgrounds, don't be afraid to think outside the box. You don't always have to go out and buy new items specifically for your shoot. Sometimes, something as simple as a piece of fabric or an interesting textured surface can make a big difference. Be creative and see what you can find around your home or office that would work well for your product photography.

4. Consider the style of your shoot - When sourcing props and backgrounds, it's also important to consider the style of your shoot. Are you going for a rustic look? A modern vibe? Something more vintage? The items you choose should complement the overall style of your shoot.

5. Consult the photographer - always be in discussion with the photographer, don't forget they will have suggestions and lots of advice on what works and what doesn't. In most cases a photographer will have a selection of props and backgrounds that you can use so always check.

We regularly shoot with and without a stylist and we understand not everybody is comfortable creating and sourcing props, some simple shoots don't even need much planning, however experience tells us the best creative ideas and most successful shoots require some kind of planning. We hope these tips have been helpful and that you'll consider them the next time you're planning a product shoot with us or any other photographer

This shoot was done in collaboration with the client and in this instance no stylist was needed. It was a very well planned shoot with a good breif, lots of props, different plinths and a clear direction for photography this is the main reason why the shoot was a success.

So as you can see, there are many things to consider when it comes to sourcing props and backgrounds for your product photography. And if you able to take the time to plan ahead, consult with your photographer and think outside the box, you'll be sure to create a stunning set that will help your products sell. If your ready to discuss which option is best for your product get in contact and we can start the process.