When you’re watching a video, you might notice the actors, the dialogue, and maybe an effect or text that supplements the content. But what about props?
Props are crucial to many videos because they provide context that allows the creative vision to shine.
We’ll walk you through the process, but first, we need to make a distinction about the production terminology involved here.
If you aren’t familiar with production, you might assume that any object found on set is a prop, but that’s not actually the case. “Prop” is short for “property,” and is used to mean an object that one of the actors in the shot physically interacts with. The person in charge of props is usually referred to as the prop master (short for property master).
If an object is in the background or shown on camera, but the actor doesn’t interact with it, it’s not technically a prop—it’s part of the set dressing. Take this video we made for Toshiba, for example. The pizza and the grill rack would be examples of props, while all the objects in the background that make the space look like a functional kitchen are part of the set dressing.
This distinction can be important because, typically, the two categories are handled by different people (or different departments) altogether. Knowing which category an object falls into will determine who is responsible for providing and maintaining the object until production is complete.
Now that we understand the difference between props and set dressing, it’s time to unpack the steps to getting the right props for your video.
When preparing props for production, you should always start with a careful reading of the script. As you go through each scene, mark any objects that will be required to convey the appropriate message.
If you’re also handling set dressing, you should also take note of any objects referenced in the background of the scene. You’ll need to account for any moods or context that will need to be established by the setting rather than communicated in the dialogue.
This stage of the process will often involve a production designer, director, or other members of the crew who will go through the script with you. This collaboration helps ensure that the creative vision will be accurately represented, and all crew members are on the same page moving forward.
At this point, it’s important to note where filming will take place, as this may impact prop choices. For example, a larger space might mean that you need more copies of each prop than you would in a smaller area. Or, a specific backdrop might require a prop to be a particular color to blend in appropriately.
These details might not always lead to changes in the prop plans, but they have the potential to, so it’s best to include this step to avoid headaches later.
The outcome of steps one and two will be a list of all the objects referenced or implied by the script, which will then need to be fleshed out into a more formal props list.
The list might include detail like what color or style the object needs to be, how many of the object need to be kept on hand, or who will be interacting with the prop during the scene. All of these details will make it easier to purchase or create the right object for the specific needs of the production.
Once you know which props you need, you have several options for actually obtaining them, and your choice will probably depend on the specifics of how the item is going to be used.
If you need an item to be customized or have features that aren’t commonly on the market, you may need to create the item yourself.
If you need something expensive and obscure, you might want to rent from a prop house or other establishment that will allow you to pay a fee to use the item for a short period of time, rather than investing in owning something that you’ll never use again.
If you’ll need a prop often or it’s an everyday object that you might use again, you might want to buy one (or several) options and keep it on hand during production.
Ultimately, the key here is considering the needs of your specific production. There is no standard rule about when to buy vs. rent, or when to make something from scratch vs. repurposing something you already have. All of these options are available to you, and it’s your job to decide which approach will be most appropriate.
Once the prop has been obtained, your job isn’t quite over. Props sometimes get damaged, lost, or consumed during production, and it’s the job of the prop master to ensure that this doesn’t happen—at least not until the prop is no longer needed.
This responsibility is doubly important if the item will be needed for future productions, or if the item was rented and needs to be returned to a prop house or other rental facility.
When a prop isn’t available in the right condition or at the right time to film with, it creates stress for everyone on set, so maintaining props is arguably the most important step. After all, no one will know how incredible your prop is if it gets lost or broken before filming can take place.
Now that you know how to tackle your prop plan, it’s time to make a video!
While we typically produce a variety of brand videos at Lemonlight, these guidelines aren’t just limited to commercials or corporate videos. You could apply these general tips to other types of productions, like film, television, or even live theater. Each field has its nuances, but the overall process follows a very similar pattern regardless.
Next time you’re planning your video production process, follow these steps to get the perfect props to bring your concept to life. We can’t wait to see what you create!
Are you a photography props hoarder?
As food photographers we just love props, don’t we?
There are never enough props in our cupboards and as we continue on our journey, all we do is buy more and more and more. We love hoarding, overbuying and stocking props.
The truth is, not everything that looks good in real life, looks good on camera.
So while we love our props, it is so important to be mindful of what we buy. Not just to save money, but to also make sure that what we buy actually works. If you live in a city that is compact like Singapore, then saving some cabinet space is a huge consideration too.
Which is why I’m sharing the key considerations for choosing props for food photography.
Save money, save space and be intentional in what you create. By doing so you will improve your photography and develop your style.
I wish I had thought about this at the start of my journey and not ended with cupboards full of props that don’t work for me.
In the beginning of our journey, we are so excited and enthusiastic that sometimes we forget that food is the hero of the shot and not that vintage platter.
There are times we want to push away the idea of being mindful of our props and work within a given selection, but having been there, I truly wish I had this approach in the beginning.
The number one criteria while selecting props is texture.
I like to stay away from glossy and shiny textures. When light falls on glossy surfaces, it gets reflected and it’s almost the same problem as what we deal in glassware while shooting drinks. That’s why steel spoons or melamine plates or those beautiful, polished serving platters don’t work as well.
Matte surfaces in props are my favorite.
First of all, they don’t create unwanted reflections and secondly, they bring a lot of depth and texture to the photo itself. Often when I buy ceramics for my photography, I make sure there is no shiny polish or coating on top and I also check that the piece is food safe.
Props with speckles, delicate waves or small indentations look really good because even this texture picks up light and creates tiny little shadows which adds depth.
Even when it comes to napkins, Switch out satin with linen or cotton and see how easy it becomes. Cotton and linen have texture which also catches the light adding depth to the photo.
The second consideration is the colour of props.
We work with a variety of ingredients of different colours and shapes.
You might have heard that neutral colours for props are best and that is true. Whites, blacks, beiges, greys, browns etc. are so versatile that they make your food pop irrespective of the mood you’re trying to create. That is the advantage of neutral.
But I would also encourage you to think of other colours that compliment food. For example, a pink plate that will work well for a salad with greens, or curries or brownies or sandwiches or breads that are also in the warm colour range.
Think of using a blue plate or blue bowl. I love blue because of how well it pairs with Indian food particularly, or anything from beige to orange to yellow to brown to red like chickpeas, hummus, dips, daal, lentils and even rice or noodles.
Apart from neutrals, think of colours that will work well with the food you photograph and go for those.
Having said that, working with a little bit of pattern on bowls and plates is fine but if it is too busy, it distracts from the food.
My suggestion would be to go with light design or patterns or with solid colours if you’re choosing colour so that the focus is still the food. Always think whether that a colour will compliment the food you shoot.
This is more for dishes and cutlery – like plates, glasses, spoons and forks.
Personally, I love giant platters. but only during a real meal.
Try bringing that mammoth platter in your photos and first, you’ll be struggling with filling it with enough food and second, capturing it on the camera. It will make everything else look small and a bit out of proportion. You’ll need to fill the frame more, adding more props that might not be required and then just complicating the composition and the story.
Instead small to medium size props work best.
I like to buy two sizes – one appetizer plate size and a salad plate, staying away from main course size plates because they’re huge.
Smaller props allow me to use my favorite 105mm macro lens with them either in a top down shot or 45 degree angle.
Same goes for cutlery. Large spoons and forks for tossing salads look beautiful on the table but they are really tough to fit into a photo. They also look out of proportion when placed next to a small plate. Think of how everything can work together in your prop collection.
The fourth criteria to consider, which is really important, is your style.
We all have a certain style which means we like to bring a certain feel to our photos. Some like a vintage feel, Some might like a rustic, some like classy and Some might like a traditional look. We each have a style that we like to portray in our photos. And over time, it becomes evident in our prop choices too.
Are there props that you end up using more than others because they meet your vision and create the story you want to bring forth in your photos?
When we buy props we must recall what kind of props work with our style.
If vintage is not our thing, we should not be wasting time picking up vintage forks. If exotic styling is not our thing, then we should not be spending dollars on satin napkins.
Try to understand what kind of props work with your style. It will keep a check on how much you buy and also make sure that you also end up using what you buy.
In the past, every time I took a trip to India, I would load up on ethnic Indian props but 90% of those props have not been used in so many years, because that is just not my style. I have a modern rustic style and ethnic does not fit.
I do keep a variety of props in my collection because I also work as a stylist for clients. And every client has a different branding language for which I need to cater to. That’s why I have a range of vintage, rustic, exotic, ethnic and traditional props but for my personal projects, I have a set of style props I like to use.
Evaluating what kind of props fit your style makes it easier to choose the right props and also makes your style a lot stronger and evident in your work.
The other consideration for choosing props is having a comprehensive collection.
We all have favourites. I love plates. I tend to buy a lot more plates as compared to other props but that’s why I ended up with a gap in my collection.
I needed to shoot for a client and I didn’t have enough bowls and cutlery. Which is why my suggestion is to pay attention to all kinds of props, find the gaps in your collection and fill those gaps.
It is important to have a balance of plates, bowls, glasses, pans, trays, spoons, forks, napkins etc in your collection plus anything else that fits the local context, if you’re shooting for local clients. No need to go overboard but it is important to have what it would take to complete a visual story.
Lastly, I just have to say this. I know we love props and are often greedy, but we don’t always have the budget for props especially if food photography is just a hobby.
Well I say, NO props – NO problem.
It’s not difficult to creatively turn our everyday items into props. Use what’s in your kitchen cabinets to create a story. You can still be mindful of colour, texture and reflections with what is available to you.
If you’re not positioned as a prop stylist or food stylist you don’t really need to worry about investing heavily in props.
Limited props can help you create beautiful minimalistic or macro food photos that are entirely focused on the richness of the ingredients and the striking styling to make the food pop.
Yes props add to storytelling, but one can create an equally compelling photo with limited or no props. If your photography technique is in place, props or no props, your photo can be a hit.
Don’t let your props hold you back. Think creatively. Instead of focusing on large compositions, look at the details of food and how you use light to bring that food to life. Focus on your styling and photography technique. It will only make you a better photographer with outstanding skills.
When choosing props,
Pay attention to texture
Consider neutral colours, bold colours and light patterns
Think of size and keep to the small to medium range.
Visualize your photos before picking up a prop and whether it would suit your storytelling style
Create a balanced prop collection.
Most importantly, do not fret if you don’t have enough props. Work on technique, think creatively and grow your skills in the right direction.
The next time you pick up a prop ask yourself if you need it, think of how it fits your style and what value it will add to your photos. Add props with intention so that you save money and also come out with stronger photography skills.
Happy prop shopping… or not!
If you’re listening on Apple podcast or itunes, I would absolutely request you to, please rate, review and subscribe on itunes/Apple podcast. It will help this podcast reach more listeners and grow bigger and better. I’ll be so grateful.
If you’re looking to come up with your own photography process, streamlining your workflow, getting efficient & saving time, checkout my free guide called the 10-step photoshoot right here.