30+ Creative Studio Backdrop Ideas for Photographers on a Budget
There are dozens of incredible backdrop companies in the marketplace now. When I first started shooting, you pretty much were limited in studio to heavy muslin backdrops or large paper rolls. Not anymore. Now you can get incredible designs and scenes on almost any imaginable material. Some are pricey, some are not.
For newer photographers and for those on a budget, we created a list of things you can use for backdrops in your studio, Big thanks to all those who contributed on my Facebook. Chances are you have some items sitting around your house right now. And if not most are easy to find and are inexpensive. If you venture outdoors, your options open up even more…
Image by Tashana Klonius Designs
Ideas for backdrops to use inside your home or studio:
- Shower curtains
- Large towels (such as beach towels)
- Blankets (especially King Size)
- Tablecloths
- Quilts
- Wood paneling
- Christmas lights (if shooting very shallow DOF)
- Sheets
- Fabric (velvet, cloth, flannel, etc)
- Curtains
- Quilts
- Antique or painted door
- Bubble wrap tacked to a board
- Upholstery fabric
- Old newspapers
- Wrapping paper
- Scrapbook paper
- Rugs
- Kitchen drawer paper liner
- Bamboo shade
- Plywood sheets
- Mirrors
- Tile board
- Old display boards from department stores/retail stores
- Wooden blinds
- Painter’s drop cloth
- Seamless paper + added recycled party decorations
- Wall paneling from a hardware store + paint
- Huge flag
- Old garage door (recycled)
- Aluminum foil glued to a board
- Garage floor
Now it is your turn. In the comments, let us know what fun, inexpensive or unusual things you have used as backdrops for your indoor photography.
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I have taped newspapers up and used them as a fashion background before….works rather nice.
Great idea!
Burlap, old records glued to a piece of foam insulation, colorful paper from the teachers mart, paneling from Lowes, old shutters
I recently used a table cloth for Valentine’s day!
I love the fact that you can find awesome backdrops anywhere now. I have been finding old sheets and curtains at thrift stores and on clearance racks. I have also dyed and spray painted plain white sheets. Sometimes you can get them from a hotel cheap.
Laundry Basket with a blanket over top.
I bought school billboard paper and used that, modge podge it to a plywood board, I have several of these for inside and they work great! I just store them along my wall, they hardly take up any space.
I am currently working on a backdrop that I seen on a fellow photogs site that she paid for but I am gonna make it myself. You take material and cut it into strips it is actually very pretty. To see what I am talking about check out wild hearts photography on fb
A plain backdrop or wall decorated with paper chains or cut-outs. I also like the fabric scraps idea mentioned above. I have seen these ideas on freshartphotography.com. Love their creativity!
Hi Carrie! A friend saw your comment and mentioned it to me! I just wanted to say thanks!
We use fabric scraps and torn fabric constantly! Another favorite is yarn or ribbon tied to your backdrop stand… that can get kind of expensive but Hobby Lobby or other craft stores have such great sales I watch for ribbon to go on sale and scoop it up!
I bought black denim fabric from a discount craft store. It made an amazing, solid color backdrop! The suggestion came from my motorcycle-riding brother.
The walls!
I just got done shooting publicity/headshots for a theatre group that rehearses in a 140-year old brick building. The interior walls are bricks. I just move the subject 8+ feet away from the wall and the bricks go out of focus into a great background. This might not work for all instances, but this group identifies with their rehearsal space and they always like them.
Throw blankets are my fave, so many colors and designs for $5. I also built my own backdrop stand from pvc for under $20
I also have a built stand from pvc!
And blankets are a favorite!
I found what Brandy was talking about on Wild Heart Photography’s site. very cute! http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150495714929055&set=a.108359454054.95295.104540334054&type=3&theater
They bought it from http://www.facebook.com/OLDCHATEAU.
I know that they bought theirs but I decided to make my own… I think I can do it cheaper than they want for it!
I used a $5 twin sized black sheet from Wal-Mart for this shot. I just burned in the background in PSE9 with the burn tool set to burn in shadows.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=246550942090190&set=a.170365676375384.41827.130886420323310&type=3&theater
and $8 in fabric at a fabric store for this shot
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=246178768794074&set=a.170365676375384.41827.130886420323310&type=3&theater
I’d love some actual backdrops, but just can’t afford them right now. I think sheets and fabrics have made great fill-ins.
Podiums of different heights topped with item reflecting the theme/season, as well as multiple sized and shaped hand made wreaths with colors tying into one another, also reflecting the theme/season
How would you hang these things? (i.e. bath towel)
So, for us beginners, what are the best backdrop dimensions for child/baby photography?
Thabk you so much. I love these ideas. Very cleaver. Some I have never even thought of!
if you go the fabric route – look for double wide quilt backing. It’s usually 100% cotton, or a blend, and about 110″ wide for large bed quilts. . . usually it is plain colors, or subtle prints. Here’s an example:
http://www.joann.com/wide-prints-108-white-on-tan-etchings/zprd_10216638a/
a few more options:
http://www.fabric.com/SearchResults2.aspx?Source=Header&SearchText=backing&CategoryID=1d5f47dc-9991-4088-93f3-26a376046a5e
and I’ve used this idea from the photojojo store – tied colored crepe paper on a pvc pipe – put on backdrop stand. I did red, white, and green for a Christmas party; school colors for a graduation, etc. here’s the photojojo link:
http://cdn.photojojo.net/store/awesomeness/productImages/9e55fcc.0000001297539204.jpg
Those ideas are especially applicable to newborn portraits. There is so much you can do with fabric and throw blankets – much more budget friendly (and easier to collect a large variety of choices for clients) than expensive backdrops!
What fun ideas!!
I scope out the wall hangings area in World Market. I love he fun prints with the earth tone!
Thanks for the ideas!
Great ideas, thank you for sharing! I have once spread a silk dressing gown to use as a backdrop.
LOVE the photojojo idea, thanks for sharing… I use black velvet for pictures on black – it’s soft, easy to fold and no wrinkles (there are several kinds out there, I use the soft and matte one, not shiny)! The advantage of velvet is that it absorbs light (imho) better than other black fabrics, really works well for me. In addition to what’s on the list, I used YARN for building fun backgrounds (similar to the photojojo idea) AND rolls of yarn are great for posing newborns too!
Brittney I have that same fabric in blue and green. I love that you can use the solid side or pattern! 2 yards of fabric = newborn backdrop for under $10
I have used fabrics and wall paper from specialty wallpaper stores. All above are great ideas!
I used clothing line tied onto two trees, and let 2 kids go crazy with paint slinging…then used the paint splattered white sheets as a backdrop for them
They had so much fun creating the mess haha
I love the ideas, but I too am curious to how you pin them up or make them stand as a backdrop? Please help us, proffs!
I use 5 yards of the widest fabric I can find at a local discount fabric store — usually 45-50″ wide. Solids, patterns whatever. Outdoor fabrics have a nice texture and are wide. Makes a nice sweep from background bar to floor and plenty big enough for small children. I’v also shot two adults and a child with this set — nice tight crop and people close together.
Baby Blankets (for small ceramic items)! My son has plenty, and won’t notice if I borrow one for a few minutes
I have not yet to do this but have thought about it a lot. So hopefully it pans out seems like a great idea. Taking a plan color sheet and going to the craft section of any store and getting my self some stamps ive seen all kinds of them. But plans are to stamp the pattern onto the sheet and make my whole backdrops. Im sure some sort of paper would work as well instead of a sheet. if anyone trys this please let me know how it works out!
We have found ol doors and my fav a 4×4 foot section of faux brick at the habitat for humanities builder’s bargains stores and used those for backgrounds. It is always fun finding new ways to use old things. We LOVE goodwill!!!
This Picture was done with the curtains from our bedroom thrown onto our Mobile backdrop stand. So essentially free, just the time it took to move them and put them back afterward, like 5 mins total.
I glued textured wallpaper to styrofoam board and then dry brushed with a slightly golden paint.
Here’s a photo list of my backdrops. I use flat sheets, curtains, swatches of unused fabric, painters floor muslin and more. You can find it on my blog and leave some comments! Thanks
http://new-layer.blogspot.com/2012/05/props-and-backdrops-san-antonio.html
I have a wall in my kitchen painted with chalk board paint and framed with some old trim boards. Makes a great backdrop for pictures and we change it constantly for different seasons or occasions and with different coloured chalk. Enjoyed reading all the great suggestions too.