This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small amount of money if you make a purchase from any of the Amazon links included

I’m certainly not a photographer by any means (that is more of The Bloke’s passion than mine), but one of the things that I enjoy doing in my free time is experimenting with props and different flat lay images that I can use for my blog and social media.

I’ve written about creating beautiful flat lay images before, but this was more about the process of how to set them up. Since then, I’ve received lots of questions asking about prop and budget ideas from others who want to create their own but don’t want to spend a fortune doing so.

There’s a million different advice posts and tutorials on the subject, but what I’ve discovered when trawling through a some of them is that many have splashed out on different lighting rigs and light boxes, backdrops and props and use an expensive SLR camera.

From personal experience, this isn’t necessary. My flat lay images are created using cheap props that I already have at home or have purchased from pound stores or charity shops. I photograph them on my phone and then use the iPhone editing tools available. That’s it. No fuss, no expense.

Here are some ideas for cheap props that can be used to create beautiful images for you blog or Instagram.

Backdrops and Light

I normally use the large bay window in my front room when taking images, but if I need a little more light I use the
GODOX LED Lightsthat The Bloke uses for his photography.

Wallpaper – I obtained a white roll of paper in a sale from a local hardware store for 99p and have a selection of patterned sheets of paper that I bought for less that £1.oo from a craft store.

Floral Papers

Tables

The floor – I used the kitchen floor at a friend’s house to create the image on the right

Park bench – just make sure that it hasn’t recently rained!

Paper bags – I often use a brown paper bag in my flat lay images

Baking Sheets

Shower curtains

Chopping boards

Table mats

Slate

Fleece Throws

Basic Prop Ideas

Notebooks – Small notebooks can be obtained from craft, card and stationery stores and supermarkets. I have managed to amass a large collection in different colours over a number of years and so I use many of those in my flat lays.

Pens / Pencils / Fineliners and Coloured Fine Liners / Pencil Crayons / Felt Tips – I use my Bullet journal stationery that was given to me as a gift, but I also pens in different colours that were purchased at Poundland for £1.00

Post-Its / Coloured Paper / Scissors / Paper Clips

Postcards – bought from Paperchase for 75p and created some of my own by ordering Polaroid images from Photobox.

Scrabble and Craft Tiles

Glitter / Buttons / Confetti / Craft Jewels / Ribbon – all can be purchased from local markets, supermarkets and craft stores for a minimal amount.

Make-Up – I will often use my own collection to avoid spending any money on more products (not that I particularly need another excuse!), but I have been able to add to it by buying various products for less than £1.00 from my local market and a small perfume during the January Sales.

Hair Products / Hair Ties / Brushes / Clips – all of which I have around the house.

Glasses and Sunglasses

Jewellery – I use costume jewellery that I have collected over the years, but they can be obtained from charity shops for almost nothing

Bath Products / Sponge / Exfoliator / Soaps – all purchased during sales and are for personal use.

Flowers – Fake Flowers can be purchased from Amazon (click on the Fake Flowers link for a fabulous deal on artificial flowers), ebay, garden and craft stores for a cheap price. I usually prefer to use real flowers  – I bought the flowers used in this picture from Aldi for £1.89 and once I finished using them I put the remaining ones in a vase.

Vintage Skeleton Keys

Old Cameras and Photography Equipment

Technology – I utilise the equipment that I already own, which is why I am including it in the list. I often use my old iPhone 4 that no longer works, my iPad, a bluetooth keyboard and a laptop as a useful props. I also borrow more advanced pieces of technology from friends to use in images blog focused images.

Kitchen Utensils and Crockery – Cups / Saucers / Wine Glasses / Coasters / Bowls are often the most useful things in various images.

Food & Drink – coffee / clear ice cubes (made with boiled water so it stays clear) / fruit (citrus fruits are very effective) / macarons / cupcakes / pieces of chocolate

Passport / Travel Paper

Remember:

When creating blog and Instagram images it’s useful to try and create a theme not only with the products that you use, but the post itself. Check out my post on Creating Beautiful Flat Lay Images by clicking on the link here. Here’s a few examples of the sort of images you can create with just a few basic props. Image Four is a beautiful idea created by my ridiculously talented Sister-in-Law, Deborah Fletcher

 

Want to follow me on social media? You can also find me on Twitter and Tumblr @suzie81blog, and don’t forget to check out my Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/suzie81speaks, my Pinterest page http://www.pinterest.com/suzie81speaks and my Instagram page http://www.instagram.com/suzie81speaks.

Suzie Speaks is a participant in the Amazon EU Associates Programme, an affiliate advertising programme designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk