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Over the years, my prop collection has grown with more and more pieces of handmade pottery. This is pottery I buy from makers at farmers markets and online, and vintage pottery I find when I travel or on websites like Etsy.
At some point, I know my entire collection will evolve to all handmade pieces because I just love them that much. That is all I’d shoot with if I could.
I feel that every piece of handmade art is worth the price paid, but when I’m shopping for a piece for my prop collection the process is much different than when I shop for a piece for my home.
I have to exercise smart shopping and make sure that my investment will give me something that allows me to create many different photos.
I thought it would be helpful to share the five things I pay attention to when I’m shopping for a piece. Asking myself a few questions has allowed me to collect many pieces that I use over and over again in different ways, in different images.
Five questions to ask yourself when shopping for a pottery prop…
Can I use this size of prop for most foods I shoot?
You’ve heard me say that smaller is better before and the same applies here. My most used plates are 4 inches, followed by 6 to 8 inches.
If I purchase a large piece, I have a specific plan for it. For example, a 10-inch dinner plate would be used as a platter in my work, and I do often use those to style full salads and side dishes. I photograph a lot of fresh produce, so I can also get a lot of use out of a large bowl. I have fewer of these latter two in my collection, though, because I don’t use them nearly every shoot like I do smaller plates.
Will this finish work in my photos?
I’ve had advice to not choose glossy finishes for my pottery. I’d say I agree with it about 85% of the time. I’ve created plenty of good shots with glossy finishes, but I do prefer satin or matte finishes. This has as much to do with my style, though, as it does with functionality (no reflection or glare in the image).
Does it have the right imperfections?
Imperfections give a piece character. I welcome and uneven edge or an irregular circle. This often leads me to seconds and sales. This, of course, saves money, but I’m not doing it to cheat a maker out of the money they deserve. It’s just that what other people consider flaws, I often consider greater character and a one-of-a-kind look for my images. I do have some perfect pieces in my collection, but they are far fewer than those that have their own personality.
Is it a color I will use often in my photos?
I always start with white and cream because I know I will use these over and over again. From there, I extend to neutrals and natural textures of the clay. This includes grays and blues for me. I have a few colorful pieces, but I use them a lot less so I’m less likely to invest in them.
Along the same lines, prints and patterns definitely work in images, but because they have such a signature look, I know I can’t use them over and over without looking like I’m using the same prop over and over. Before I jump to prints, I’m much more likely to lean towards monotone patterns in the clay. Imprints of flowers and shapes are fun to work with.
How many different images can I envision for using this piece of pottery?
It’s important to me that I can use a prop in many photos without those photos looking exactly the same. So before I finally click buy, I try to envision all the ways I could use it. Different foods - salads, desserts, snacks, main courses. Different surfaces - wood, white, gray canvas, white wood, metal. Multiple linens and colors - grays, beige, white, blue, gray, teal. Differently lit settings and camera angles - backlight, sidelight, overhead shots.
If I can only think of one or two ways I’d actually use the piece, it’s likely not the best purchase, unless I have some extra funds in the prop budget set aside and I want to have some fun with my collection.
This all doesn’t mean that I don’t buy a piece from time to time that would be a bit wild and crazy by these standards. That’s what makes a collection unique. But when I want my budget to go the furthest for my photography work, the five questions for evaluation of my purchase listed here are applied.
