Second Hand Props for Photographers
Props you should purchase used
Smash cake photographers need a ton of props to keep their sets looking different, new and up-to-date. This turns into a lot of cash. Almost anything you can buy used helps keeps your price down, AND keeps your designs looking different from the photographer next door. If you buy everything at Hobby Lobby so can the competition. To keep your smash cake photos unique we hunt for new-to-you props, and so should you.
First thing in the Door
It’s a little silly - but I always hit the “large item” section of my local thrift store first. Arguably, because the staff at the local second hand store is always adding to the options, the value of the items in that section is no better then than it will be 10 minutes from now. When I work my way back around to that side of the store, in fact, they might be better. But, for some reason I have to start in the large items section, and then go back to the beginning. Maybe I just can’t stand the thought of following someone else through the store while they’re clinging to "“my” goodie. Whatever it is, my hubby seems to get me. (Thanks, baby.)
Large Ticket Props
So, in the large/awkwardly shaped section I am always on the lookout for old toys; i.e. rocking horses, fire trucks etc for my smash cake designs. I’ve also purchased old school footstools before and recovered them with fabric from Joann’s and a staple gun. Simple, cheap and effective. Occasionally you’ll find a cool hat box, a musical instrument, an awesome plant, so keep your eyes peeled and your imagination open. These prop pieces may foot the bill for an upcoming theme, make your entire set, or spark a new idea. Keep an eye out for an amazing trunk (great for pirate or mermaid sets) and seasonal items like hay bales.
Frames and Canvases
The phase of repainting old frames is a bit last-year, but I have seen some super cool ones lately where the frames were hot glued with wrapped fabric - very 1800’s in a floral or simple vintage fabric. Matte painted large canvases with single simple items (a plant? a carousel horse?) are great background pieces for your first birthday portrait.
Flowers and baskets
Lord, I hate paying full price for artificial flowers. Really??? $15 for a fake flower??? Are they crazy?
I have baskets and baskets full of artificial flowers in any cool color I can find, and sometimes I still don’t have enough. Buy all the quality flowers you can find at the local second hand stores. You will need them at some point. We see moms that want English Tea Garden sets, or Alice in Wonderland themes, Woodland Creatures, you name it. We also use them for Harvest and Strawberry photography sets - trust us, you need them. Vines are great to cover the background seam between floors and walls too. And please, don’t make me tell you how many baskets I have, it’s embarrassing.
“Cake stands are the ultimate second hand score. ”
Birdcages, Fairy Lights &…………
Wedding decor can be an awesome smash cake score at the local Goodwill. Birdcages in multiple colors and sizes are a great find. Fairy lights, pinecones, wooden tree rounds, battery powered votives, so many options. Keep an eye out for apple crates, chinese lanterns, candle stands - the right ones will really round out your photography smash cake set designs.
Teddy Bears & wooden toys
Vintage teddy bears are a great thing to find at the second hand store - they photograph so much better than current styles. Matte fur photographs better than shiny and warm, neutral brown and beige colors will match almost anything. If you find other unique animals that fit the bill, (no pun intended) snag them as well. Older, antique stuffed animals won’t date the portrait as much as whatever is cool right now. “Now’ becomes “then” very quickly - not what we’re looking for in wall art.
Buy wooden toys for the same reasons, they won’t shine and distract the viewer’s eye. They won’t date the image. They’re classic, they match everything. And classic toys and teddy bears are great items to “trade” with a ugly/trendy/hated item Mom can’t dissuade a child to give up.
Cake Stands
Cake stands are the ultimate second hand score. The cake stand has the foremost position in your portrait. It will factor into 80% of your images. It can’t be the same cake stand client after client, and it has to match your set. Cake stands are also one of the pieces we let our clients choose - we bring up several options and let the client make the decision (read more about involving your photography clients). Which obviously means I have to have several options for Mom and Dad to choose from.
It seems like every time I go to a second hand store I come up with a new idea and out with a new goodie. Be sure to leave us a note about a prop I haven’t considered yet!
- Clare