#18 – How to choose props for food photography

Are you a photography props hoarder?

As food photographers we just love props, don’t we?

There are never enough props in our cupboards and as we continue on our journey, all we do is buy more and more and more. We love hoarding, overbuying and stocking props. 

The truth is, not everything that looks good in real life, looks good on camera. 

So while we love our props, it is so important to be mindful of what we buy.  Not just to save money, but to also make sure that what we buy actually works. If you live in a city that is compact like Singapore, then saving some cabinet space is a huge consideration too. 

Which is why I’m sharing the key considerations for choosing props for food photography. 

Save money, save space and be intentional in what you create. By doing so you will improve your photography and develop your style. 

I wish I had thought about this at the start of my journey and not ended with cupboards full of props that don’t work for me. 

In the beginning of our journey, we are so excited and enthusiastic that sometimes we forget that food is the hero of the shot and not that vintage platter. 

There are times we want to push away the idea of being mindful of our props and work within a given selection, but having been there, I truly wish I had this approach in the beginning. 

How I choose photography props

1. Prop texture

The number one criteria while selecting props is texture. 

I like to stay away from glossy and shiny textures. When light falls on glossy surfaces, it gets reflected and it’s almost the same problem as what we deal in glassware while shooting drinks. That’s why steel spoons or melamine plates or those beautiful, polished serving platters don’t work as well.

Matte surfaces in props are my favorite. 

First of all, they don’t create unwanted reflections and secondly, they bring a lot of depth and texture to the photo itself.  Often when I buy ceramics for my photography, I make sure there is no shiny polish or coating on top and I also check that the piece is food safe. 

Props with speckles, delicate waves or small indentations look really good because even this texture picks up light and creates tiny little shadows which adds depth. 

Even when it comes to napkins, Switch out satin with linen or cotton and see how easy it becomes. Cotton and linen have texture which also catches the light adding depth to the photo.

2. Prop Colour 

The second consideration is the colour of props. 

We work with a variety of ingredients of different colours and shapes.

You might have heard that neutral colours for props are best and that is true. Whites, blacks, beiges, greys, browns etc. are so versatile that they make your food pop irrespective of the mood you’re trying to create. That is the advantage of neutral. 

But I would also encourage you to think of other colours that compliment food. For example, a pink plate that will work well for a salad with greens, or curries or brownies or sandwiches or breads that are also in the warm colour range.

Think of using a blue plate or blue bowl. I love blue because of how well it pairs with Indian food particularly, or anything from beige to orange to yellow to brown to red like chickpeas, hummus, dips, daal, lentils and even rice or noodles.

Apart from neutrals, think of colours that will work well with the food you photograph and go for those. 

Having said that, working with a little bit of pattern on bowls and plates is fine but if it is too busy, it distracts from the food. 

My suggestion would be to go with light design or patterns or with solid colours if you’re choosing colour so that the focus is still the food. Always think whether that a colour will compliment the food you shoot. 

3. Prop Size 

This is more for dishes and cutlery – like plates, glasses, spoons and forks. 

Personally, I love giant platters.  but only during a real meal. 

Try bringing that mammoth platter in your photos and first, you’ll be struggling with filling it with enough food and second, capturing it on the camera. It will make everything else look small and a bit out of proportion. You’ll need to fill the frame more, adding more props that might not be required and then just complicating the composition and the story. 

Instead small to medium size props work best. 

I like to buy two sizes – one appetizer plate size and a salad plate, staying away from main course size plates because they’re huge.

Smaller props allow me to use my favorite 105mm macro lens with them either in a top down shot or 45 degree angle.

Same goes for cutlery. Large spoons and forks for tossing salads look beautiful on the table but they are really tough to fit into a photo. They also look out of proportion when placed next to a small plate.  Think of how everything can work together in your prop collection. 

4. Your Photography Style

The fourth criteria to consider, which is really important, is your style.

We all have a certain style which means we like to bring a certain feel to our photos. Some like a  vintage feel, Some might like a rustic, some like classy and Some might like a traditional look. We each have a style that we like to portray in our photos. And over time, it becomes evident in our prop choices too. 

Are there props that you end up using more than others because they meet your vision and create the story you want to bring forth in your photos? 

When we buy props we must recall what kind of props work with our style. 

If vintage is not our thing, we should not be wasting time picking up vintage forks. If exotic styling is not our thing, then we should not be spending dollars on satin napkins.

Try to understand what kind of props work with your style. It will keep a check on how much you buy and also make sure that you also end up using what you buy. 

In the past, every time I took a trip to India, I would load up on ethnic Indian props but 90% of those props have not been used in so many years, because that is just not my style. I have a modern rustic style and ethnic does not fit.

I do keep a variety of props in my collection because I also work as a stylist for clients. And every client has a different branding language for which I need to cater to. That’s why I have a range of vintage, rustic, exotic, ethnic and traditional props but for my personal projects, I have a set of style props I like to use. 

Evaluating what kind of props fit your style makes it easier to choose the right props and also makes your style a lot stronger and evident in your work. 

5. Have a Range of Props 

The other consideration for choosing props is having a comprehensive collection. 

We all have favourites. I love plates. I tend to buy a lot more plates as compared to other props but that’s why I ended up with a gap in my collection. 

I needed to shoot for a client and I didn’t have enough bowls and cutlery. Which is why my suggestion is to pay attention to all kinds of props, find the gaps in your collection and fill those gaps.  

It is important to have a balance of plates, bowls, glasses, pans, trays, spoons, forks, napkins etc in your collection plus anything else that fits the local context, if you’re shooting for local clients. No need to go overboard but it is important to have what it would take to complete a visual story. 

6. Prop Minimalism  

Lastly, I just have to say this. I know we love props and are often greedy, but we don’t always have the budget for props especially if food photography is just a hobby. 

Well I say, NO props – NO problem. 

It’s not difficult to creatively turn our everyday items into props. Use what’s in your kitchen cabinets to create a story. You can still be mindful of colour, texture and reflections with what is available to you. 

If you’re not positioned as a prop stylist or food stylist you don’t really need to worry about investing heavily in props.

Limited props can help you create beautiful minimalistic or macro food photos that are entirely focused on the richness of the ingredients and the striking styling to make the food pop. 

Yes props add to storytelling, but one can create an equally compelling photo with limited or no props. If your photography technique is in place, props or no props, your photo can be a hit. 

Don’t let your props hold you back. Think creatively. Instead of focusing on large compositions, look at the details of food and how you use light to bring that food to life. Focus on your styling and photography technique. It will only make you a better photographer with outstanding skills.  

Conclusion

When choosing props, 

• Pay attention to texture
• Consider neutral colours, bold colours and light patterns  
• Think of size and keep to the small to medium range. 
• Visualize your photos  before picking up a prop and whether it would suit your storytelling style
• Create a balanced prop collection.
• Most importantly, do not fret if you don’t have enough props. Work on technique, think creatively and grow your skills in the right direction.

The next time you pick up a prop ask yourself if you need it, think of how it fits your style and what value it will add to your photos. Add props with intention so that you save money and also come out with stronger photography skills.

Happy prop shopping… or not!