A lot of people have reached out to me over the last few weeks to ask after my collection of food photography props and dishware. This is an element of food styling that I really enjoy, not only because having beautiful details like antique china or vintage rolling pins helps enliven my photographs, but more importantly, I only collect pieces that can also serve in my everyday entertaining! I think that's the biggest key; purchase something that you love as much in your own home, as you would in your photographs!
Styling a shoot (you can see many examples on my website, straighttothehipsbaby.com and Instagram) is such a creative process and I am always learning on the job! When you're setting a scene you may have a specific idea or mood in mind, and that's when props come into place to act as a foil for your subject.
There are several important elements when it comes to finding the right props; color, texture, pattern, and height. Also important is how light (both artificial & natural) will play with an object. For example, you may not really want to style that shiny gilt teacup that looks great on the shelf, because it gives off reflections that can be really difficult to balance while shooting. Inversely, sometimes items that are super dark or matte can 'suck out all of the light', in a photograph. Trying to find the balance of light is always the target.
Get Your Shopping Carts Ready
Below are some of my favorite places and types of stores to find items for both my home & my work. It sort of feels like a treasure hunt in a way! I'm thrilled whenever I find that perfect piece and I hope these resources will help you build up your prop list!
Vintage Stores/Antique Shops/Thrift Shops
I can't tell you how many times I've found the most perfect pieces hidden away on dusty racks, or behind tchotchkes (knick-knacks) in a back storeroom. Some of my favorite places to search are vintage and antique stores. Often times they are filled with old and much loved kitchen items like whisks & baking pans, as well as vintage glasses and jadeite dishes. Always look one or two rows deeper or underneath shelves for antiques that may have been overlooked, but are still truly wonderful.
Upcycling is now a much more popular way of living, so you may have some competition for that perfect set of vintage silver spoons or 1950's milk glass cake stands. My tip? Get to these shops early & often. Introduce yourself to the owner and leave behind your contact information. Creating a personal relationship is really helpful when you're trying to source the best props and it’s a great way to learn more about the items you're seeking on the shelves!
Etsy
Similar to a giant flea market (another great place to shop!), Etsy.com is a handy online resource with vendors across the world. Pick your era & item, and do a quick search. Hundreds of options will appear and you can end up browsing for hours! Etsy is great for many things and once you find a vendor you trust, you can even ask them to keep an eye out for props you're really trying to find. But, pay attention to those reviews and ratings. You'll sometimes run into vendors that aren't on the up & up, or overcharge.
Estate Sales/Garage Sales
If you really want a digging challenge, take a peek at estate sales. A little bit more unorganized than some antique stores, these sort of opportunities are great for finding truly vintage objects with a history behind them. Sort carefully as damaged items are more common.
Shop Your Parent's (or Aunt's/Grandmother's/etc.) Basement
I have been so lucky to marry into a family that likes vintage items as much as I do! But seriously, take a peek in your family's kitchens and see what you find. Old school aluminum baking pans are super interesting to use for flat lays and Grandma's vintage china is a lovely way to set a photo's tone. Even beaten up wooden spoons bring a lot of character to a shoot!
I've used my great-grandmother's china several times on the blog, along with some vintage teacups and silver serving pieces from my mother-in-law. These pieces are so loved and it's a joy to use them at home & in my work.
Sales & Department Stores
This last category is probably the easiest one to shop. Everything is orderly, clean, and really at your fingertips. Look for sales at the big name stores to take advantage of low supply or mismatched pieces. Crate & Barrel, Pottery Barn, and Williams-Sonoma are some of my favorites. Single silver sets, larger baking pieces, and table linens are super buys.
Target (believe it or not) is a great store to find affordable neutral colored dishes and linens. Because so many of their housewares are part of a larger complete collection, the colors tend to compliment each other and help create a cohesive look. This is especially nice if you're purchasing props on budget or just starting out.
Do You Have Questions About Food Photography Styling?
Leave me a comment! I love talking about food styling and props!