Incorporating props in your portrait sessions can be the finishing touch that gives your images so much more. They can be as personal to the portrait as the subject in the frame, and when used correctly props can add another layer to your shoot.


To avoid being too cheesy, props are used best when they enhance the scene and bring a photographer’s vision to life rather than take away from the subject; this can be tricky, but with a little thought beforehand, you can incorporate your props beautifully into your photo shoots.


In cinema, props make the set a movie scene. They make A-listers look busy while reciting lines of dialogue in Hollywood blockbusters, and you can usually spot a weak budget in a short film by the lack of interesting props. Likewise, props add production value to your photos and give your subject something to do with his or her hands while being photographed. In fashion photography, a good finishing touch of props can tie an outfit together from head to toe.

The most unusual times to use props are often the times I’m asked to pile them on a model, so I’ve gotten good at using props as an integral part of my photo without going over the top. In this article I’ll give you a few scenarios for when and how to use props, along with my own tips on the kinds of props to shoot.

Source: http://www.ultimatephotoguide.com/incorporating-portrait-photography-props