Mixing it Up with Backgrounds and Props

EDITOR’S CHOICE: Lollipop Props by Westcott Sandy Puc’ Posing Pillows

This exclusive line of posing pillows designed for Lollipop Props by world-renowned photographer Sandy Puc’ is perfect for creating beautiful portraits of newborns and babies. Cover these soft, heavy-vinyl pillows—easy to clean and disinfect—with pretty blankets or wraps when posing the little ones. Choose from several different styles including a large posing pillow, a butterfly design, posing pillow chair with insert and a set of small circle, square and rectangular pillows. The pillows can be purchased individually or you can create your own kit to meet your studio’s needs.

Prices: from $30

Savage Printed Background Paper

Perfect for portraits, photobooths, among other occasions, Savage’s printed background papers come in 24 designs that include the bokeh-lovely Celebration Lights (shown here), along with other patterns including vintage floral, romantic script, weathered brick and worn planks, among others. The pattern is repeated along the recyclable-paper backdrops’ 18-foot length and 53-inch width. The high-quality paper is acid-free and offers a fine-tooth, non-reflective surface to show off their attractive patterns.

PRICE: $65

Backdrop Express

Backdrop Express added Poly Paper and Vinyl options to its Computer Printed Backdrop line, giving photographers a choice of five materials. Poly Paper and Vinyl are both durable, water-resistant media featuring smooth, non-glare (and non-wrinkle) matte surfaces. Other available materials include a lightweight polyester weave fabric, a heavyweight poly/cotton and a thick floor mat. Computer Printed Backdrops come in various sizes and the line offers more than 1,300 printed backdrop designs to choose from including holiday themes, old masters, patterns, damask and many more. If you’re looking for a specific type of backdrop design or theme, there’s a really good chance you’ll find it here.

PRICES: FROM $50

Lastolite Perspective Backgrounds

New from Lastolite, the Perspective Backgrounds series bring beautiful outdoor looks to your set whether you’re in the studio or on location. Measuring 4 x 5 feet, these double-sided backgrounds provide two unique looks, including the Evening Street/Ivy Archway pictured here. The backgrounds can be used with the Lastolite Magnetic Support System and collapse to about one-third of their original size for storage and transport. A carry bag is included.

PRICE: TBD (LATE OCTOBER) 

Denny Manufacturing Newborn Moon Prop

Newborn photographs don’t get much sweeter than this one with Denny Manufacturing’s Newborn Moon Prop. It’s designed to be comfortable and safe for your tiny subject. The prop measures 24 x 24 x 12 inches and it’s lightweight so you can easily and quickly position it in your studio or transport it to your client’s home.

PRICE: $169

Background Town by ACI 

Background Town by ACI offers more than 200 backdrop designs (and the option to upload your own custom designs), with recent additions to the company’s Mentor Colelction by portrait photographer Lori Nordstrom. Two of Nordstrom’s latest designs include Chevron Dream, a cream and white Chevron backdrop and Handcarved, the patterned design you see here. Smaller sizes are available in NewFab, a paper-like hybrid material that’s tear- and wrinkle-resistant. Larger sizes (6 x 8 feet and larger) are made from the super soft UltraCloth, for a non-glare, wrinkle-free, durable option.

PRICES: $72-$480