6 Props to Have on Hand as a Professional Portrait Photographer

6 Props to Have on Hand as a Professional Portrait Photographer

Professional portrait photographers have a unique skill set, as their job requires them to elicit specific emotions from subjects to capture the perfect photo. It’s not enough for a photographer to simply know how to operate a camera and lens; they also need to be able to read their subject and understand what will best capture their personality.
As with any job, having the right props on hand can make the difference between feeling like you’re stuck in an endless rut versus feeling inspired every time you enter your studio. The right props can give you inspiration when you need it most, so they are very important!
Read on for some top props that every professional portrait photographer should have on hand in their studio.

 

Professional Photographers guide to portrait photography props

 

Books

Books are a great prop to add to your portrait session, especially if you’re working with a child. If you have a young client who is squirmy and can’t seem to sit still or remain focused on the camera, having a few books on hand can be a great way to keep them distracted and engaged.
You can also use books to help guide your client's pose; for example, if you want your subject to rest their head on their hand, you could start by having them grab a book and place it on their hand. Then remove the book and replace have the client replace it with their head. There are countless books out there that would be a perfect fit for certain types of portrait sessions.
If your client is a musician, you could have them hold a guitar pick or have a book about music-related topics nearby. Similarly, if your subject is an artist, you could have a sketchpad nearby with drawing pencils in it. Regardless of what type of subject you’re photographing, books are a great prop to have on hand.

 

Professional Photographers guide to portrait photography props

 

Antique Furniture

If you have a client who is wearing a formal outfit, you might consider bringing some antique furniture on hand to shoot against. This can give the portrait a vintage look, which is great for portrait sessions involving more formal clothing.
Antique furniture can also be helpful if you’re doing a group portrait and want to stand out from a sea of chairs. Antique furniture can be a bit harder to find than normal furniture, but it is worth your time to look for if you do a lot of portrait sessions.
If you have a client who wears more formal clothing, antique furniture can help to give their portrait a bit of an old-timey look. This can be helpful if you’re doing a themed shoot, such as a retro or vintage look.

 

Professional Photographers guide to portrait photography props

 

Stuffed Animals

If you’re looking for a great prop that clients of all ages will love, stuffed animals are the way to go. You can choose from a wide array of animals, and they come in a variety of colors, sizes, and textures. You can even go the extra mile and purchase some custom-made personalized animals to really make your clients feel special.
You can use stuffed animals in a wide variety of ways. You can pose your subject with the animals in their arms or even have your subject interact with them in their shoot to bring out a specific emotion. If you'd like to use them for portraits, be sure to pick up a few different sizes so you can use them in a variety of ways.

 

Professional Photographers guide to portrait photography props

 

Sports Gear

Sports equipment is a wonderful prop for portraits and other types of shoots. You can use them as a prop for portraits by having your subject hold the ball relating to their sport or place it in their lap. This is a great type of prop to incorporate into senior portraits, so you can capture your clients high school interests in a unique way.
If you client is captain of the soccer team let them know you have a soccer ball on hand and watch their personality shine through the photos. This often helps your client feel more relaxed and comfortable. You could also ask them to bring along their jersey to either wear or drape over a larger prop in the photo. 

 

Professional Photographers guide to portrait photography props

 

Seasonal Props

Seasonal props can add a lot of variety to a portrait session and are great for keeping things interesting on a daily basis. If you’re shooting a lot of indoor portraits, you may want to consider bringing in seasonal decorations to mix things up. For example, if it’s winter and you’re shooting indoors in a studio, you may want to bring in a decorative wreath to spruce things up a bit.
Seasonal decorations are also great if you have clients that you shoot year-round. If you have one client who shoots with you four times a year, and you shoot them in December, March, June, and September, you can use seasonal decorations to help keep things fresh throughout the year.

 

Professional Photographers guide to portrait photography props

 

Numbers and Letters

Another type of prop that you may want to have on hand is numbers or letters. You can find letters and numbers in almost every font imaginable, and you can use these to help your subject spell out a word or phrase. This is a great way to add some variety to your portrait sessions, and it's a great way to help your subject convey their personality and interests.
You can find letters and numbers at many different types of retailers, including craft stores and hobby shops, so you won’t have to visit a specialty store to find what you’re looking for. Furthermore, letters and numbers are inexpensive, so even if you’re on a strict budget, you can still add this type of prop to your portrait sessions without breaking the bank.

Conclusion

There are a lot of different types of props that you can use to spice up your portrait sessions. While you don’t want to overuse them, having a variety of props on hand is a great way to mix things up and keep your portrait sessions from becoming stale and repetitive. Plus, having the right props on hand can help you create a variety of different looks and styles without having to change anything about your equipment or studio.

Pro Prints Canvas Wrap PRO is an exceptional choice when you’re ready to print your portraits to display in your studio or share with your clients.