Props for brand photos: how to choose the best ones for your next photo or video shoot
Top 8 brand considerations when choosing props & 8 questions you should ask yourself before making a final decision on which props to use
Branding photoshoots are super fun to plan for me as a photographer. I love working with other creatives to make their visions come to life and we do that by planning the shoot together! Part of the fun of planning comes with creating scenes for my clients, and scenes are almost always better when props are used.
Sometimes, however, brand photography clients will get stuck in that overthinking mode and blank on what props they should use or maybe they’re unsure if the prop is appropriate for the stories they want to tell in their photos. Being able to choose great, on-brand props is an important part of the photoshoot planning process.
I’ve come up with a few guidelines on how to choose the best ones for your next brand photo session and I have even created a guide that includes a prop brainstorming worksheet as a download if you still need some help in that department!
Ok, so what exactly is a prop?
A prop is something that is used to help enhance the scene of a photograph (or video) in order to reveal something about the subject. A prop is a supportive element, not the main subject. It is often an object or item, but I like to think that a person or place can act as a prop as well.
Props have the ability to:
Turn a bland photo into something interesting
Increase relatability of the subject (the person/thing the photo is about)
Reveal an interesting fact about the subject
Complete a part of the subject’s story that may otherwise be difficult to tell
Chances are, you have already used props in a photo before, even if you weren't aware of it. Think about those photo trends where you hold a sign or mustache and take silly photos. Those are all props!
Props with Purpose
Props can be more than just fun & silly, they can be a purposeful addition to your brand photoshoot. In fact, you should make sure that you are carefully choosing the props that you will need to use. You don’t want to be using just any old prop just because you see everyone doing it or you think you need it for your photos.
When my clients come to me for their brand sessions, I include prop suggestions as part of my service. But the best person to think of unique props for your brand photos is YOU, because you may have some industry secrets that your photographer isn’t aware of. Not sure how to come up with ideas? I’ve created a bonus worksheet in my Brand Photography Prop Guide with prompts that may help you come up with some unique ideas.
When you’re considering prop ideas, there are a number of things to keep in mind when trying to make a decision, so that your props are making sense & on-brand for you. Some of the top considerations when creating your scene using props are: your aesthetic brand, what story you are telling, the moods you are trying to convey, the location, season, brand & business goals, and industry or niche you are in.
Top considerations when brainstorming prop ideas (and some examples from my own brand photography clients)
1. Brand aesthetic: the overall look of your brand
Is the brand bright and fun? Choose props that help amplify the colors & brightness!
Check out the props that my client Alex Lawless used in her brand photo session. By using balloons, smiley face lollipops and colorful confetti, her photos just scream LET’S HAVE FUN TOGETHER!
2. Story: the brand's overall story, or the story that the brand would like to tell through photos
Did the brand's idea start on a piece of paper? If so, use that paper or recreate it and use it in the photograph.
3. Mood(s): the vibes and moods that the brand would like to convey to the viewers
Is the brand all about serenity and peace? Choose props that can reveal the mood easily.
4. Location: the setting of the brand or location at which the photos are being taken
If the brand is a beachy brand, choose props that will transport the viewer to that location, like flip-flops, sand, seashells, etc.
This photo of my my client Jessica Miller-Merrell of Workology uses Austin magazine to display where she is located, while also showing off some of her fun, quirky personality.
5. Season(s): the time of year that the photos will be viewed (may not always apply)
If these are fall campaign photos, use props that help the viewer understand it's about fall- Pumpkin spice & everything nice.
6. Brand & business goals: anything the brand wants viewers to know that it is trying to accomplish
Does the brand have a launch coming up? Use the title or subject of launch to help you think of prop ideas.
Peep the photos below! My client Jessica Miller-Merrell had an upcoming launch for Workology that had the word “camp” in it, so we found props that reminded us of camping- like s’mores, canoes & hammocks!
7. Industry/niche: the industry that the brand is in
Is the brand in the health industry? Then use props that the customers use often, like yoga mats, water bottles, etc.
Check out the below photos of my client, educator & entrepreneur Shametria Banks aka The Routty Math Teacher. She uses her Teachers Pay Teachers products as props, but also other math and education props, such as books and lesson plans.
8. Personality and personal interests: especially for personal brands that rely on their own personality traits as part of the branding.
This is by far my favorite way to go! Using your own personal interests and hobbies and personality traits make a fantastic photo prop. Like listening to music in the mornings? Include some headphones as a prop. Big sports fan? Wear you favorite team’s jersey! Do you have a tagline or saying that you use often and it can be shown in a prop? Display it!
In addition to these brand considerations, there are 8 questions you might want to ask yourself to ensure that your prop is going to work for your brand photos.
8 questions to ask yourself when picking props for your brand photoshoot
1. Do these props make sense in the scene?
Obviously you want your props to make sense in the scene you are creating.
2. Do these props take away too much attention from me or the story I’m trying to tell?
Don’t let the props get in the way or distract your audience from the main message you’re trying to get across. Don’t let them steal the show!
3. Are these props complementary to my brand style?
If your brand style is neutral and minimal, you wouldn’t want to choose a bunch of colorful balloons and noisy-looking stuff, right?
4. Do these props contradict any of my brand stories?
Us humans can naturally contradict ourselves sometimes. Try not to let your props contradict what you’re trying to say.
5. Do the props make sense in this location?
You might be taking your brand photos in a public location- so consider the location you’ll be taking the photos in and make sure that it makes sense to the viewers.
6. Does the prop help complete the mood of the scene?
Use your props in a way that can help you create a mood or emotion. If they don’t help create a mood- you might want to question how helpful they are.
7. Do the colors of the prop match my brand/the location I am in or do they clash?
If your social media feeds are highly curated, using props that clash with your curated feed might make you unhappy.
8. What will my audience/customer avatar/target market think of these props?
The audience is who your brand is built to attract- so what are they thinking about the props- does it help to start a conversation and increase engagement?
You got this!
Keeping in mind the various aspects of your branding and asking yourself important questions about the appropriateness of the props you choose, you should be able to come up with some great prop ideas (and eliminate some that may not make much sense for your brand).
Have you thought of any unique prop ideas after reading this? Share your idea in the comments!
