Food Photography Styling Tools to Buy with $10

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A quick post for you today with some super simple tools that I find essential to food photography styling. 

So let’s say you have $10 to spend. These are the exact things I’d buy. They are things that I use to style food and drink photos for nearly every shoot. Often I use all four, but I always use at least one of these tools. 

Where you buy these and the type you buy will determine if you come in at $10, but it will be pretty darn close. 

If I had $10, these are the essential styling tools I would buy…

Curve Tip Tweezers

These are hands-down the best for styling. Place an herb, remove a crumb, and rearrange a lettuce leaf or garnish. The tip is small enough that it won’t disturb your whole plate. 

Tip:  Be careful around soft foods, such as adjusting potatoes or beans in a soup. The sharp end of the tweezers can stab the food and leave a mark that will show up in the photo. 

Estimated cost:  $5

Small Spray Bottle

I use this to spritz on water to get a glisten of freshness without drowning a subject. I spray fresh fruits and vegetables, leafy greens in a salad, and the tops of soups and stews to keep things looking flavorful. The bottle in the picture above came in a multi-pack on Amazon, but a good place to find an inexpensive single option is the travel toiletry section at a drugstore or Target. 

Estimated cost: $1

Q-tips

Every time I need to wipe a splash on a plate or the inside edge of a soup bowl, I fight with paper towels. It seems like I wipe something away and something else gets smeared on. The solution for me are Q-tips. The small size allows more control to wipe away exactly what you want to get rid of. 

Estimated cost: $2 (go for the generic, they work just as well)

Paint Brush

You don’t need anything fancy here. You can buy an inexpensive artist’s brush set, but for something super cheap option, that’s still effective, head to the kid’s art section of the store for a watercolor brush. I use these most often to brush on olive oil to make vegetables and meats glisten. 

Estimated cost: $2

Arranging garnishes, wiping up drops and splashes, and making things shine or glisten - these are all tools I use on a regular basis to accomplish all of these tasks. And they are by far the least expensive tools used in creating food and drink photos!

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5 Questions to Ask Before Buying a Piece of Pottery for Your Prop Collection

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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. 

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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. 

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6 Types of Linens to Diversify Your Prop Collection

This post was updated: 04-2021

The list of my favorite linens at the end of this post contains some affiliate links. This means that if you check them out and decide to purchase, I earn a very small commission. Thank you!

Do you find yourself using the same linen over and over again in your photos because you know it works?

I hear you. I get stuck in a linen rut, too. 

And let me explain here. When I say linen, I’m speaking of the napkin, towel, tablecloth or other similar prop used to enhance a food or product photograph. 

It’s so easy to default to what we know will work. We tend to stop challenging ourselves to work with new props to save time or create a cohesive look in our work. 

But there are ways to diversify your linen napkin collection so that you have a handful of options that are fail-proof for your shots. 

Additional touches in design and multiple colors can help add a twist to your photos while keeping them in line with your photography style. 

You might choose two or three go-to styles. Or maybe even more. 

I’m sharing 6 types of linens in my collection that are solid options for me time and time again. 

After you check out the list, be sure to sign-up for my email updates. Next week I’ll be sending out my two favorite online sources for getting my favorite linens for food photos. No affiliate links, just makers who create beautiful work that I have come to adore. 

6 Types of Linens to Diversify Your Prop Collection

Real linen 
I talk about this all the time. Real linen in gray or oatmeal the core to my collection. 

Rough edge
Fray, tassels, tears. Any hint of creativity along the edge of a linen will add character to your scene. 

Flour sacks
Simple, affordable, and perfect for food photos. You can buy them in white and dye them with t-shirt dye in whatever color you desire. 

Handkerchiefs
I discovered all these wonderful options at my local craft store. This is often how I add prints to my photos, giving them a unique look that many people are afraid to experiment with. But it works! And they’ll set you back about $1 each. 

Cheesecloth
Beautiful in photos of all kinds. Use it straight from the package for a clean, crisp look. Wash and air dry it for a relaxed feel. I have it in natural, white, and black. 

Waffle
A waffle texture is a safe place to start if you aren’t ready to jump into prints because it adds a different look without multiple colors. Many traditional dish towels and washcloths have this look. Just go for a thinner linen style versus something super bulky. 

If you are looking for some new linens, these are some of my very favorite makers:

Lakeshore Linens

112 James Street

Mabel’s Table Sante Fe

I also find good options when I occasionally swing by these stores:

CB2
Crate & Barrel Outlet
H&M Home

Everything else I’ve likely found by exploring random stores both in the U.S. and abroad when traveling. Be adventurous!

Don’t forget to click the link below and sign-up for updates so you get the info on my favorite sources for linens that I’ll be sending out early next week!