Hello, fellow food photographers! Over the years, I’ve curated a collection of food photography props that I’m quite happy with. And today, I’ll be sharing with you over 30 of my favorite food photography props and where to find them- you might even discover a few treasures already hiding in your own kitchen!
{Please note that this post contains affiliate links. I only recommend products I personally love. When you make a purchase using these links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.}
While 30 props may seem like a lot, you definitely don’t need all of these props to create great food photography. Use this post as a guide to help spark some inspiration and help you discover the best props you resonate with the most.
When I first started my food blog in 2020, I went a bit wild with buying food photography props…but not in a good way. I ended up buying a bunch of plates and dishes I rarely ever use today and to be honest, now they’re just collecting dust. You can check out my portfolio to see which props I use most frequently.
I wish I had been able to find a guide on how to build a beginner’s prop collection when I first started. So, I created one! Below, not only will you discover my top 30 prop recommendations, but you’ll also find a sample ‘capsule collection’ featuring just 10 essentials.
When thinking of props, you have to think of your photo as a layered element with the following:
- Surface or background elements
- Plate
- The food!
- Foreground elements
To reflect this, I’ve divided this post into 4 categories:
- Background surfaces & props
- The main elements (dishes and what the food sits on)
- Secondary elements (utensils and more)
- and decor items (background and foreground elements to add depth of field)
Background Surfaces and Props
First things first, let’s discuss background surfaces and props. These essential elements are often the unsung heroes of food photography.
Something I wish I understood early on in my journey is that the backdrop of your photos plays a crucial role in setting the tone. Do you want your photos to be light and bright, dark and moody, or do you want them to have a homey, vintage feel?
Neutral colored surfaces create the canvas for your photos, but don’t be afraid of color if that’s your jam!
Textural elements like parchment paper, stone tiles, and even crumpled newspaper make the food pop and add depth to your photography. If you want to add a touch of vintage to your food styling, old book pages are a great option.
Without further ado, are some of my favorite background props and elements:
1. Neutral or Textured Backgrounds and Surfaces
These are ideal for letting the food take center stage. I love vinyl surfaces because they’re lightweight and can roll up easily. Plus they’re super easy to clean. You can also use large sheets of paper as a backdrop. You can find large rolls of paper at your local craft store.
Sourcing: Club Backdrops, Capture By Lucy, Black Velvet Styling, Woodville Workshop, art supply stores or online platforms like Etsy or Amazon.
An essential thing to keep in mind while choosing backgrounds is that glossy surfaces or items can cause harsh reflections or glares. Always opt for a matte finish whenever possible.
2. Stone Tiles
Super inexpensive, stone tiles add authenticity and unbeatable texture to your photos. You can buy individual tiles at the hardware store for less than a dollar! The downside is that they’re heavy and they can break easily.
Sourcing: Home improvement stores or tile shops, Wayfair, Amazon
3. Old Vintage Book Pages
I love adding coffee stained or vintage book pages to photos to help create some layering. They definitely create an intellectual, vintage feeling, so if that’s not your style I recommend opting for crumpled parchment listed below!
Sourcing: Thrift stores or used bookstores. Or make them yourself! Just add some coffee or tea drips to pages you’ve torn out of a book you no longer need.
4. Crumpled Newspaper
This gives an urban, casual, nostalgic or vintage feel. I especially love using newspapers for breakfast recipes. They remind me of reading the morning comics as a kid!
Sourcing: Your own recycling bin or local newsstand.
5. Parchment or Wax Paper
Perfect for adding a soft texture and depth to photos. Stacking is a great way to create visual interest, and adding a sheet of parchment paper under your food or plate is an easy way to do this. Plus it’s probably something you already have in your kitchen!
Sourcing: Your kitchen, grocery stores or online retailers like Amazon.
Main Elements & Dishes
Next up are the main subjects of your prop collection – the items that hold the food. Opt for matte, shallow and/or smaller plates like salad plates or pasta bowls. Shallow, smaller dishes mean you need less food to fill up the plate, making it easier for your food to take center stage.
I love using either vintage props like antique trays or speckled ceramic plates to add a unique touch to my images. Also keep in mind that your food doesn’t always need to sit on a plate! A wooden cutting board may be the perfect size for smaller dishes or awkward food (like burritos or burger patties).
6. Unique Speckled Ceramic Plates & Bowls
There’s something undeniably charming about speckled ceramic dishes. Their unique pattern adds visual interest to any food presentation. Each plate is like a piece of art, making your food photography stand out.
I swear speckled ceramic dishes make even the most un-photogenic food look good!
7. Neutral and/or Matte Dishes
Investing in high-quality neutral or matte dishes can make a world of difference in your food photos. These types of dishes allow your food to take center stage.
Shop some of my favorites:
If I could start my prop collection over, I would choose one or two more expensive plates with these characteristics, rather than multiple cheaper plates that go unused. The right props make a big difference in your photograph.
8. Wooden Cutting Boards
Wooden cutting boards offer a warm, natural look that’s perfect for rustic or farmhouse style photography. They are versatile, providing both a cutting surface and a beautiful backdrop.
Sourcing: Kitchen supply stores, Target, artisan fairs, or online retailers like Amazon.
Shop some of my favorites:
9. Coasters
Small but mighty, coasters can add a pop of color or texture to your food photography. Whether it’s a rich wood, a bright ceramic, or neutral marble, the right coaster can subtly elevate your food as well as your image.
Sourcing: Home goods stores, Target, Anthropologie, or online sites like Amazon or Etsy.
Shop some of my favorites:
10. Marble Boards & Trays
These are great props for adding a luxurious touch to your food photos. They provide a matte, textural element while still being neutral and understated. Marble boards are great for food that is extra colorful! Marble trays and boards aren’t just in the kitchen section of stores- be sure to check out the bathroom section as well!
Sourcing: Kitchen supply stores, Target, TJ Maxx, Hobby Lobby, World Market, Amazon, or HomeGoods.
Shop some of my favorites:
11. Old Pie Tins
I don’t just use these in pie recipes! I love using metal pie tins as a background element for savory dishes too, providing a homey, rustic feel to the images.
Sourcing: Estate sales, antique stores, Etsy or eBay.
12. Antique Trays
Antique trays can bring a touch of elegance or nostalgia to your food photos. They’re also great for grouping smaller dishes or ingredients together.
Sourcing: Your kitchen, antique shops or online vintage shops.
13. Wire Cooling Racks
These create an authentic baking environment in your food photos, suggesting freshly baked goods. They’re great for adding layers and depth to your images.
Sourcing: Kitchen supply stores, Etsy, antique shops or Amazon.
Shop some of my favorites:
14. Cake Stands
The obvious choice for baked goods and cakes- cake stands help elevate your food. There are so many different material options to choose from- marble, ceramic, wood, glass and more!
Sourcing: Kitchen supply stores, Target, Anthropologie, Crate and Barrel, antique shops or Amazon.
Shop some of my favorites:
Secondary Elements
Next up are secondary elements – these are additional touches that bring your photos to life. Below are some of my favorite secondary elements in my food photography prop collection from linen napkins to silverware that help add visual interest to every photo.
15. Napkins
These simple additions can provide much-needed color balance or contrast. They’re especially effective with minimalist or monochromatic photography styles. Look for linen napkins for a refined rustic look or vibrant patterned ones to add a touch of whimsy. I don’t use napkins too often, but when I do, they help soften up my photos.
Sourcing: Home goods stores or online retailers like Amazon.
Shop some of my favorites:
16. String
Yes…this may be an odd prop. But string is great for tying up stacks of food like cookies, bars, or even sandwiches.
This is a great tool for adding an artisanal, rustic feel to your food photography. Natural twine or butcher string lends a fresh-from-the-bakery feel to bread and other baked goods. Vibrant colored string or ribbons can be used to add a pop of color in neutral settings.
Sourcing: Craft stores or online sites like Amazon. This prop can be free too. The string I use came with online packages I ordered!
17. Books
Incorporating books into your food photography can evoke a relaxed, Sunday brunch feel. Vintage cookbooks can add context to dishes, while a stack of novels might suggest a cozy, comfort food scenario. Choose vintage books or ones with neutral spines to help the food stand out.
Sourcing: Your own shelves, used bookstores, or online book shops.
18-19. Jars and Milk Jugs
Jars and milk jugs can do double duty in your food photography. Used as containers, they provide a glimpse into the recipe’s ingredients. Used as glasses, they offer a casual alternative to traditional glassware. Tinted or textured glass can add an intriguing visual element. I almost always place a jug of almond milk in the background of my baking recipes to create a richer depth of field.
Sourcing: Grocery stores, online retailers like Amazon or specialty stores like The Container Store. Nowadays, I rarely buy jars but instead, I wash out and save unique or interesting vessels that my ingredients come in.
20-21. Tins and Boxes
From vintage lunchboxes to modern bento boxes, these containers can add dimension and visual interest. Tins with a worn or patinaed finish can suggest a rustic, country kitchen feel, while sleek, minimalist boxes might evoke a trendy, urban dining experience.
Sourcing: Antique shops, thrift stores, or online platforms like eBay or Etsy.
22. Vintage Silverware
Not just for table settings, vintage silverware can be used in creative ways to add personality to your images. Artfully arranged forks, spoons, or knives can lead the viewer’s eye towards the dish. I’ve inherited lots of vintage silverware from my family, but I’ve also found it at local antique shops.
Sourcing: Antique shops, eBay, or estate sales.
23-24. Serveware Tongs or Spatulas
Spatulas or tongs are not only functional but also aesthetic. They suggest the act of serving, turning the photo into a narrative, and letting the audience imagine themselves reaching out and grabbing a piece of that delicious pie.
Sourcing: Antique shops, kitchen supply stores or Amazon.
25-26. Measuring Cups and Spoons
These are particularly useful for dessert or baking scenes, where the cooking process itself is part of the charm. Small, ceramic measuring cups can be great foreground elements or used as unconventional serving vessels.
Sourcing: Antique malls, Target, World Market, kitchen supply stores or online platforms like Amazon.
27. Pouring Vessels/Jars
A carefully captured pour shot can impart a sense of motion and immediacy to your food photography. A honey pot with a wooden dipper, a teapot with a stream of tea flowing from it, or a gravy boat can all be used to capture that perfect, mouth-watering moment.
Sourcing: Home goods stores, kitchen supply stores, or online platforms like Amazon or Etsy.
Decorative Details
Now, for the finishing touches! Small bowls, like pinch bowls, are perfect for holding raw ingredients. And remember, the food from your recipe can also be a great prop itself.
These finishing touches can bring your scene to life and act as a way to create depth of field in your image:
28. Flowers or Florals
Floral elements can add color, texture, and a sense of freshness to your images. Spring blooms can suggest a Mother’s Day brunch, while autumn leaves might be the perfect props for a Thanksgiving spread.
Sourcing: Florists, grocery stores, Trader Joe’s, farmers markets, or your own garden.
29. Unique Textured Glassware
Textured glassware, whether used for serving or as a container for ingredients, can capture and refract light in intriguing ways. Colored or tinted glass is a great food photography prop because it can cast interesting shadows or highlights, adding another layer of visual complexity.
Sourcing: Antique shops, home goods stores, Facebook Marketplace, Etsy or online retailers like Amazon.
Some of my favorite glassware!
30. Vases
These versatile containers can be purely decorative or functional, holding utensils, flowers, or even serving as drink-ware in a casual setting. They can also be used to provide height and dimension, particularly in straight on or flat lays/overhead shots.
Sourcing: Home goods stores, Hobby Lobby, Etsy, or antique shops.
31. Pinch Pots
Perfect for holding salts, spices, or garnishes, these small bowls can help draw the viewer’s eye toward the subject of the photograph. They’re also a great way to introduce color and texture, whether through the material of the pinch pot itself or through the ingredients it holds.
Sourcing: Pottery studios, Etsy, Target or home goods stores.
32. Corks & Wine Bottles
Wine bottles and corks can suggest a perfect food and wine pairing. They can also add height and dimension, particularly in flat lays.
Sourcing: Wine shops, your own kitchen, or online wine retailers.
33. Raw Ingredients (Food from Recipe)
Fresh produce, spices, grains, and other raw ingredients can provide a sneak peek into your dish’s flavor profile. Strategically placed, they can guide the viewer’s eye towards the main subject.
Sourcing: Your kitchen, grocery stores, or farmers markets.
34. Twinkle Lights or Candles
They are particularly effective in low-light or holiday-themed settings. Twinkle lights can create a magical bokeh effect when used in the background, while candles can cast a warm, inviting glow.
Sourcing: Amazon, Hobby Lobby.
Beginner’s Capsule Food Photography Prop Collection
I’ve curated the top 10 food photography props I use most frequently to help give you an idea of which ones to begin sourcing first.
- Neutral or speckled ceramic shallow dishes: opt for smaller dishes in a matte finish. You don’t necessarily need 3 of the exact same plate either- you can mix and match in photos.
- A Small Pitcher: pour shots are some of my favorite! And of course you need a pitcher to capture them.
- 1-2 neutral backdrops or surfaces: crumpled parchment, a napkin, cheap tiles or coasters.
- Vintage or Unique Forks, Spoons & Knives: decide what feel you want your photography to have- rustic and moody or light and bright? Pick out some cutlery that reflects your style.
- Rustic or Unique Wire Cooling Rack: use what you have on hand or choose a rustic rack or even a beautiful gold cooling rack.
- Ceramic Measuring Cups: these are great for ingredient shots and to create repetition in images.
- Wooden or Ceramic Pinch Pots: also great for creating repetition in your image.
- 1-2 Wooden Boards: a great way to elevate your food and create a layered heirarchy.
- Vintage or Rustic Tray or Tins: great for ingredient shots and holding cookies or baked goods
- A Cake Stand: marble, glass, ceramic or wooden
Where to Find Food Photography Props
Some of my Favorite Props
My Favorite Major Retailers
- Crate and Barrel
- Anthropologie
- West Elm
- Pottery Barn
- Target
- HomeGoods / TJ Maxx
- Hobby Lobby
- World Market
My Favorite Online Retailers / Shops
Conclusion
Finding the perfect food photography props can seem daunting at first, but think of this blog post as a starting point. Experiment with different pieces, find your personal style, and remember, cheap props can also lead to great photos!
Every food photographer’s prop collection is unique. Keep exploring, keep experimenting to find your unique style, and, most importantly, keep clicking deliciously beautiful photos!
Happy shooting!
I’d love to hear from you! What are your favorite props for food photography? Do you have any go-to items that didn’t make my list? Share your thoughts and questions in the comments below.
Please note that this post contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase using these links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
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