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Photography week continues! While I’ve mentioned photography backdrops a few times in the week already, let’s look at some specific products and places that make great product photo backgrounds.
6 Background Ideas for Product Photos
- The great outdoors. The light is bright and perfect for taking product photos, so find a natural setting and shoot away. Country settings are great for rustic and farmhouse products, but the concrete of an urban area works well for products with modern or funky themes.
- Photography backdrops. Just like the ones they use in photo studios, you can purchase photo backdrops. I have several and there are pros and cons. Pros: Easy to use, inexpensive, available in several colors and styles. Cons: If you want a large number of backgrounds – you have to buy several, the large size can make them difficult to store, they wrinkle easily and need ironed before each use. Where to buy: Amazon – click here to see options.
- Scrapbook paper. It’s no secret that many Silhouette Cameo and Cricut Explore small business owners use scrapbook paper as photo backgrounds. It’s cheap, readily available, and easy to store. Unfortunately, for larger products – it doesn’t work well. Where to buy: Your local craft store.
- Fabric. If you can’t use scrapbook paper, consider fabric. It’s available in thousands of colors, just don’t forget to iron it before you use it. Where to buy: Fabric.com.
- Poster board. Solid colored poster board is great for taking product photos. Tip: If you want to make your product look like it is floating, simply curve the board and set the product on top. (This style of background is referred to as an infinity background. Your local big box store.
- Shelves, fireplaces, and tables around your house. If your products fit the decor of your home well, stage the product somewhere within your home. Best of all: it’s free!
Ewwww, Skip These
Whatever you decide to do for backgrounds in your product photos steer clear of carpets and beds. No one wants to think that their gorgeous handmade product is on dirty carpet where people walk or in someone’s bed!
Keep it Uniform
Once you decide on a background that works well for your product photos, keep it similar throughout your product line or shop. This not only helps with your brand recognition, but it makes your shop present better.
Tell me in the comments – what do you use for backgrounds in your Silhouette Cameo or Cricut Explore small business?
Since 2015, Christine Schinagl has been helping crafters start and run craft businesses through her blog, Cutting for Business. As a Silhouette and Cricut crafter herself, she has a unique take on what works and what doesn’t work in the craft business world. She also teaches a course on creating digital SVG designs, available at How to Design SVGs.
Miriam L
Thursday 25th of January 2018
Nice article! I used to take picture in my backyard but could only had do once a week with the sun in the right place to avoid glare. It was a pain! So my boyfriend got me a light box for Christmas and I love it! I do need to find a similar background to my backyard fence though ????
Christine
Monday 29th of January 2018
Yes, the sun can be troublesome!
Kathy Unger
Wednesday 12th of July 2017
Christine, I have a question about the photo boxes. I have one that folds flat and when you open it has all 4 sides that Velcro together. They included I think 4 piece of fake velvet in odd colors. When the box is open, I side is black and the other 3 are that thin white material. It also came with has 2 lights you set up. I have used the papers inside but, I can not figure out where to place the lights. Please help!!!!
Christine
Monday 17th of July 2017
Hello! If you have two lights, they go on the sides. If you have three, put them on both sides and the top. Hope that helps!