Sunday School: Props!

I can't tell you how thrilled I was when I showed up to my friends Kim and Andy's house for a photoshoot and found a HUGE bouquet of red balloons in their living room!  Kim thought it would be fun for the photos, and she was right.  That big splash of red was just the right accessory for a colorful shoot, and not to mention the perfect match for Kim's boots.  I don't shoot portraits often, so it was a good lesson for future reference.

So what are some of your favorite props to use on photoshoots?  Please share your tips and links to images in the comments below.  And since it's Giveaway May, leave a comment (by Monday night at midnight Central Time) to be entered for a chance to win a set of 12 fine art photo cards, yours to choose from this collection. 

+++++++++++++++++++++

Congrats to Marcy of The Glamorous Life Association!  She wins a dozen photo cards!

Comments

[Marcie]

My favorite 'props' - for kids..and for dogs (as it surprised me) are bubbles:
http://www.marciescudderphotography.com/index.php?showimage=945

[Scott]

Bubbles and a can of silly string when shooting children!

[cindy]

love those balloons! i've used a yellow parasol - http://www.flickr.com/photos/71443419@N00/2714573850/in/photostream/ enjoy your sunday!

[Puna]

Since I'm not a professional I'm usually very shy about asking someone to pose...and props even make me more nervous. However, I did a favor for a friend once and since there wasn't any pressure, I picked some rose petals from my garden and went for it.

http://lifesignatures.org/wordpress/2009/10/october-16-dana-5/

[Jill F]

Cool photo. I like using bubbles and balloons too

[cindy]

Hats are awesome props! The easter-y kind add a vintage look. Cowboy hats on boys make them into little handsome men and those knit hats of course hide the fly-aways or baldies and show off the face so nicely!

[Jen at Cabin Fever]

I love props. Especially unintentional ones.
Here is an example: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cWGLtcljvQc/S8uDMEfEYHI/AAAAAAAAAik/DPMMzazK6fc/s1600/Tom+and+Kaylee.jpg

I'm new to this whole shooting portrait thing too... there is definitely a learning curve. I love the balloons and Bokeh by the way.

http://www.cabinfeververmont.com

[damiec]

I love how outsized that bunch of balloons is - it looks like they made your photoshoot an instant party.

for kids, I like balloons and bubbles, pretty much any kind of water and pinwheels

[georgia]

i went out and bought some balloons to take some pics of my sister with. was not quite as effective as this, but it was my first attempt and taking pics with balloons. love the pop of red in this photo!

and gorgeous set of postcards. i especially loved the "spring" and "fifty minute flight delay" cards. thanks for the give-away!

[Vanessa]

Balloons are my favorite too!
I used them for my brother's engagement session & they turned out so adorable: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lochnessmommy/sets/72157620269911183/

[Sharon]

Bubbles are fun. With kids, a favorite stuffed animal can be special.

[Jen]

I love fruit!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/enniferj8/2880495373/in/set-72157603440199044/

[Michel]

Love the balloons! that is a sure hit.
I like to use natural props, like kids own toys;
http://www.wishfulthinkingblog.com/wishful-thinking/2010/4/10/camera-love.html

and sometimes I just use what is around;
http://www.wishfulthinkingblog.com/wishful-thinking/2010/2/27/shiny-reflection.html

[Kristina]

bubbles are always fun around here.
Cheers!

[charlane]

i'm going to world market today to buy some chinese parasols - they're on sale for $6

[Marla]

For kids, I like using ANYTHING that will get their attention and let them sit still for a minute . . . whatever works.

[Bridge]

I think the best props are hats, jewelry and pets.

[brittany]

with kids, i love to let them show off things from nature: flowers, leaves, sticks.

[laura hegfield]

these balloons are fabulous props!!!! so shiny and full of joy and promise!

[melissa]

Love the balloons!
My favorite props are baskets and buckets! http://melissamillerphotos.typepad.com/my_weblog/2010/04/my-entry.html

[Gail]

I don't take professional portraits...but when I'm photographing my grandchildren it is always easier if they have a popsicle, ice cream, or a cupcake...http://www.flickr.com/photos/22733432@N08/4572380856/in/photostream
...bubbles are fun too...http://www.flickr.com/photos/22733432@N08/4572380218/in/photostream/

[Nichole]

I love bubbles! No one can hide their inner child with bubbles. They instantly bridge the "gap" for those who are more shy and provide an outlet for those who just can't sit still for long.
That being said, I am looking forward to trying paint. I saw an example that I love and look forward to giving it a try.

[Allison]

I've had surprisingly good results with just a pair of big, rock-star/aviator style sunglasses. The shoot was pretty boring until my friend picked them up, and started posing like crazy! Amazing what some shades can do...

[Kate.S @ Little House]

Don't know about props, never having taken a proper shoot, but I did try a paper heart thing with my little guy once :) Although not technically a prop I do love the idea of the Pez dispenser in the flash slot...
Oh, and thanks for the giveaway chance :)

[Jen]

LOVE the perspective and the color!!

[emily]

Those boots are too, too cute.

My favorite prop lately has been bubbles. I love the way her eyes cross as she keeps a close eye on the wand for the beginnings of a bubble...
http://collectingraindrops.blogspot.com/2010/01/domestic-project2.html

[Rizzi]

Wish I had the guts to wear red boots like that. Loved it!

[AnnGeeDee]

I set my camera on a tripod with a slower shutter speed one evening and had the kids dance, jump, and spin with glowsticks in front of the camera. This is one of the favorite ones from that night. I plan to attempt it again soon! http://www.flickr.com/photos/40070449@N08/4252359813/

[wendy jane]

I love using hats...mostly in kids as they look so adorable in hats.

[Brooke Shoaf]

Bubbles always seem to do the trick when I am trying to get smiles out of hesitant kiddos!

[stephamama]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3495/3943150008_841fb1e260.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3011/3943150150_38b2795881.jpg

[Valerie]

I love to wander thrift shops to see what I can come up with. Here's my eight month-old with some props found at junky vacation gift shops and the thrift store:

http://journeyleaf.typepad.com/journeyleaf/2009/08/the-adventures-of-pirate-babies.html

[Diane]

Sarah, I tend not to use props but fun things like blowing bubbles is always a hit with kids or adults. I do love the balloons very much even though I've never used them. Oh, I nearly forgot ... I had a cowboy hat in my car on one shoot and decided to go get it. The little girl was so intrigued with it, that it got her smiling and forgetting about posing (she was so used to everyone always telling her to smile and say "cheese" which I NEVER do/want). It worked like a charm.

[Marcy from The Glamorous Life Association]

I have a very old beat up baseball. Works perfectly for little boys to hold their interest while doing a shoot. And I used to work with empty frames frequently as well.

But the prop I loved the most was a big red chair. Everyone looked better in the big red chair.

[Jen L.]

Anything vintage or antique looking like an old wooden box or crate....I'm on the lookout for a steamer trunk or old painted chair as well.

[cynthia]

When photographing my husband, he manages to make interesting use of my children as props : )
http://talesfromdamotherhood.wordpress.com/2010/05/02/everyday/

I've also used the boys' animal backpacks.
http://apictureintime.wordpress.com/2010/04/19/swan-watching/

and their toys
http://apictureintime.wordpress.com/2010/03/02/blur/dsc_7843/
http://apictureintime.wordpress.com/2010/03/07/bridge/

[stef]

ya! a few minutes left before midnight! love you shuttersisters!

[Kylie]

I love balloons and bubbles! Such a gorgeous shot!

[Leslie]

I love balloons & bubbles and cute little dogs.
http://lesliephoto.blogspot.com

[spread your wings]

love the red balloons. we've used balloons, umbrellas, but it's a pink chair that we use the most.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/autumnsun/3571270165/in/set-72157618747034995/

[abbeyviolet]

I love the balloons and think the right props can be wonderful.

[Tammy Lee Bradley]

Love Love! Balloons always make me smile!

[Crystal]

I like using a pail of sand or even a sandbox with our grandkids. They get lost in the feel and playing and forget that the camera is out.

[Bree]

Books!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bleach226/4437642640/in/set-72157623621447430/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bleach226/4436865843/in/set-72157623621447430/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bleach226/4436865163/in/set-72157623621447430/

[Karen D]

love the whimsy and fun the balloons bring to the pics.

[Sara]

I usually use what ever is around us -- in nature, sticks and flowers and climbing trees; indoors, whatever household items are around (books, drums, pillows, etc). I've always wanted to do a "pillow fight" shoot, complete with white feathers flying everywhere. But I want to mix in a bunch of those colored feathers, too, so they really POP when you see them.

I love your card images. Make me wish I lived somewhere more urban and raw. Thanks for the inspiration!

[Trude]

Love that shot! Mine would be books, books, books. Unless they're not readers, in which case it could be magazines, records, etc. :)

[Kathleen]

Oh, my. Some wonderful ideas here. If and when I am shooting portraits, I use whatever natural objects are around (leaf piles, cool rocks, dead crabs...and ladybugs, once!).

[Jules22]

Love the balloons! and her expression!

[Claire]

What a breath of fresh air (virtually!).