15 Drops and Props to Spice Up Any Studio Space

Want to add a little sass, class or sweetness to your studio shoots? Backdrops come in a variety of colors, patterns, scenes and fabrics that help expand photographers’ creative possibilities for shoots. And as newborn and infant portraiture continues to grow, we added several sweet and functional props to the mix as well. Go get your credit card and check out some of our favorites in both categories.

Photo © A.L. Canterbury

DROP IT MODERN
Sequined Backdrops
A little bit of bling with a lot of class aptly describes Drop It Modern’s sequined backdrops. Perfect for weddings and other shoots where you want a little sparkle, these silk-based fabric panels drape beautifully and are adorned with a matrix of half-inch sequins. A small bag of replacement sequins is included, and the 9 x 9-foot backdrops are equipped with 4-inch hanging loops at the top for easy setup.
Price: $575 (check website frequently, company is known for its surprise sales)

Courtesy of Background Town/ACI

BACKGROUND TOWN BY ACI
Solids, Patterns and More
A division of American Color Imaging (ACI), Background Town provides a diverse selection of backgrounds whether you’re looking for abstracts, whimsical patterns, realistic scenics or colorful solids. Photographers also have the option of choosing backgrounds created with NewFab, a tear-resistant, paper-like hybrid material, or the soft, wrinkle-free, non-glare UltraCloth. NewFab backgrounds are offered in two sizes (45 x 60 inches and 60 x 80 inches), while UltraCloth sizes range from 6 x 8 feet to 8 x 20 feet. Need a custom backdrop with your own design? No problem; just upload a file and Background Town will take care of it for you.
Prices: from $72

DENNY MANUFACTURING
Little Black Suede Backdrop
Like the little black dress, Denny Manufacturing’s new Black Suede backdrop is perfect for almost every occasion where you need something simple, yet elegant and dramatic. This non-reflective, glare-free backdrop renders a true, rich black, so you’ll spend less time post-processing and more time with the camera in your hand. Denny Manufacturing offers the Black Suede backdrop in a dozen different sizes—from 4.5 x 5 feet to 9 x 20 feet—to fit any need and any size studio (with or without a white horse).
Prices: from $40-$299

Photo © 11 Sixteen Photography

BEAUTIFUL PHOTO PROPS
Ruffle Stretch Knit Wraps
There are few photographs sweeter than those of newborns. Family-owned Beautiful Photo Props is bursting with handmade photo props to swaddle, wrap and beautifully accessorize babies during their first portrait sessions. We were especially charmed by Ruffle Stretch Knit Wraps, which are available in an array of assorted colors. The wraps measure 48 x 12 inches unstretched, but are super stretchy to give you plenty of leeway when setting up the shot. Optional hats and headbands are also available to complete the little one’s look.
Prices: from $15 (wraps); from $18 (hats); from $11 (headbands)

Photo © Krystal Zamesnik

LOLLIPOP PROPS
Chick-A-Dee Set
A new division of Westcott, Lollipop Props’ products are certain to make you smile. Handmade crocheted outfits are available in three sizes to fit newborns to 1-year-olds and are simply adorable. Choose from themes such as the bright and cheery Chick-A-Dee set that comes with a furry hat and diaper cover. Or perhaps your tiny subject might look best in a Lucky Ladybug or Mr./Mrs. Cottontail combo. Tutus, hats, headbands, blankets and assorted backdrops are only some of the interesting products you’ll find on the site.
Price: $40 (crochet set)

Photo © Life’s Images Photography

MARKETING AND PROPS
Rustic Newborn Bed
Handmade from cedar or pine, Marketing and Props’ Rustic Newborn Bed is the idyllic prop for posing newborns. Measuring 19 (L) x 11 (W) x 10 (H) inches, the flat portion of the bed rises 5 inches off the ground. Cedar offers a rougher, more rustic look while pine is a higher grade of wood and—although a little softer and smoother—retains the wooded feel. Beds are available in three finishes: raw cedar, dark stained cedar or dark stained pine. The beds ship flat to save on shipping costs but are easily assembled. Each one is made to order, so it may take two to three weeks for delivery—be sure to build in extra time for your next scheduled shoot.
Prices: from $50-$80

Photo courtesy of Lastolite

LASTOLITE
Urban Backgrounds
No need to pull up your secret Urban Explorer map to find an urban setting against which to photograph seniors and other portrait subjects who want a “city” look to their images. Lastolite’s collapsible Urban Backgrounds do the trick whether you’re shooting in the studio or a suburban backyard. These 4.9 x 6.9-foot collapsible backdrops are double-sided and fold down to a third of their expanded size. With eight reversible surfaces and textures, including red brick/grey stone, rusty metal/plaster wall and distressed paper/graffiti, there’s a look for every shoot. Each backdrop comes with a carry
bag for storage or location shoots.
Price: $225

Photo © Ryan M. Walsh for Savage Universal

SAVAGE UNIVERSAL
Wrinkle-Resistant Backgrounds
Savage Universal’s latest line of no-muss, no-fuss wrinkle-
resistant Polyester backgrounds come in 14 different colors (ranging from the standard black, gray or white to cardinal red, cobalt blue and more subtle rattan and passion pink). Measuring 5 x 9 feet, these backdrops are ideal for small studios but can be paired with the same or complementary colors when you need a wider background. Backdrops are also available in kits complete with a stand and carry bag.
Prices: from $60

Photo © Travis Gadsby

SILVERLAKE PHOTO
The Colorsmack Line
Silverlake Photo just added a few new styles to its attractive and interesting
Colorsmack line of backdrops. Intensity (pictured here), Destiny, Journey and Rhythm expand the unique designs of the other drops in the line. Dye sublimation printing is used to create the designs on the soft, wrinkle-free and washable fabric, and these backdrops should hold up well on underwater shoots as well. Colorsmacks are available in a trio of sizes (5 x 7 feet, 8 x 8 feet and 10 x 10 feet) and, thanks to a clever Velcro system, can be hung horizontally or vertically. Also be sure to check out the company’s Studio Speed Rack kits for quick and easy Velcro-mounting options.
Prices: from $199-399 (colorsmacks); from $39 (studio speed rack kits)

Photo courtesy of Owen‘s Originals

OWEN’S ORIGINALS
Premium Muslin Backdrops
Whether your shoot calls for a background with an abstract blend of blues (Midnight Hour) or a warmer, more classic mixture of greys and browns with a touch of gold (Venice), check out some of Owen’s Originals premium muslin backdrops. Available in a number of different colors, patterns and sizes, these premium backdrops are constructed from finely woven, 100 percent cotton fabric. Offered in five sizes, from 6 x 9 feet to 10 x 20 feet.
Prices: from $45

Photo courtesy of FJ Westcott

FJ WESTCOTT
Design and Texture
Modern Vintage might sound like an oxymoron, but not in the case of Westcott’s line; the company has revived some vintage looks with a modern feel. Design and texture both play important roles in these backdrops, which are constructed from seamless, ultra-heavy, wrinkle-resistant matte fabric. Patterns are printed on the fabric and texture added to embossed thick velour. Backdrops measure 5 x 7 feet or 9 x 12 feet and are designed with a pole pocket.
Prices: from $60-$90

Photo courtesy of Adorama 

ADORAMA
Belle Drape Muslins
From solids and abstract patterns to scenics, Adorama’s Belle Drape muslin backdrops offer photographers a variety of options. Quality muslin, including heavyweight fabric options, are combined with fade-resistant dyes and paints to ensure longevity. Solid colors are hand-dyed while patterns and scenics are hand-painted with sponges and brushes. Sizes range from 5 x 8 feet to 10 x 24 feet, and they’re quite affordable, so you can stock your studio with an assortment of colors and styles.
Prices: from $55

Photo © Vicki Taufer

WHCC
The Kingdom Collection
White House Custom Color’s (WHCC) Kingdom backdrop collection is a trio of subtle abstract colors including a brown-toned Earth. Rouge provides a gentle mélange of reds, while, for a brighter look, check out Sunburst with its mix of oranges, yellows and reds. Available in 6 x 8-foot and 10 x 8-foot sizes, these wrinkle-free backgrounds are made from 100 percent polyester. The colors and smooth patterns provide versatile backgrounds whether you’re shooting youngsters, teens or adults.
Prices: $175 (6 x 8 feet); $240 (10 x 8 feet)

Photo courtesy of Dynamic Designs

DYNAMIC DESIGNS
Soft Fabric Backdrops
A backdrop of many colors, Dynamic Designs’ Feathers is designed with an abstract white feather pattern on a dark background. But adding color is a breeze: just gel the appropriate lights and voilà, the background is bright and bold. Available in three sizes, from 10 x 10 feet to 10 x 20 feet, these soft fabric backdrops come with a muslin bag for storage. Dynamic Designs also offers a wide variety of additional product designs as well as a “create-your-own” backdrop option.
Prices: from $350-$520

Photo © Felix Kunze

OLIPHANT STUDIOS
Backgrounds to Rent or Buy
Oliphant Studio’s backdrops have graced the covers of Vogue and Vanity Fair and may be just the stylistic touch you’ve been looking for to differentiate your business. The company is based in Brooklyn and encourages in-studio appointments but ships anywhere in the U.S. or internationally. You’ll have over 2,000 backdrops to choose from, covering a multitude of themes, styles and sizes. In addition to supplying a broad range of drops available to rent. If you have a specific look in mind, Oliphant will custom paint a backdrop you can purchase to suit your needs.
Prices: from $335 for 3-day rental; call for full-purchase prices.