Christmas is my all-time favorite time of year, the cheeriness, the cool air, and the fact that it seems that the whole town gets all decorated makes me and my artsy/photographer heart so happy. I love Christmas lights, Christmas music, and Christmas baking, along with Christmas Eve service at church! With that people said, I’ve compiled a list of my ultimate favorite props for winter and Christmas product photography and flat lay props!
Ribbon – this could be a big thick ribbon on the background snaking around your product or small ribbons tied around packages or even ribbon still on the spool
Presents – neat and tidy wrapped “presents” these can be any shape and size of empty boxes that you like. You can go with a fun patterned wrapping paper or a simple and elegant wrapping job with white or brown paper and a ribbon. Maybe throw a sprig of evergreen in there to spruce it up a little bit (see what I did there?)
Holly Berries – these add a pop of color to any photo that needs one. Pair them with other red elements in your photo or let them stand alone and be exactly the pop that the picture needs!
Christmas Lights – this kind of goes without saying, but, they make amazing bokeh or elements to sparkle up a product photo
Evergreen Sprigs – these make awesome green accents for a photo that needs a pop of color or a pop of something natural. You can avoid getting pitch everywhere and use realistic-looking faux versions as well!
Fabric – this can be used as a background, ruffled up, flat, or even just as an accent. Get creative!
Wrapping Paper – this can always be the background or make the photo look like you’re in the process of wrapping an item
Tech – (keyboard and mouse, laptop, phone, tablet) – these are great for flat lays or a wintery themed desk/working photo
Saucers – this adds dimension to a photo, layered under a mug or something. Layering can be key unless your aesthetic is everything lying flat, next to each other.
Cutlery – I prefer matte black or gold cutlery personally because I think it looks amazing in photos but you can use whatever you like!
Mints – with this I mean those mints that you see so often around the holidays that go back into hiding the rest of the year
Wreaths – these can be used as layering under things like bowls, or as an accent in the corner, or even around something round! The possibilities are endless!
Trays (wooden, copper, tin) – this is another great layering item that can be used to hold many smaller things within it!
Scissors/Tape – use these in your process wrapping shot!
Napkin rings and napkins – these will add texture, patterns, and materials to the photos that you’re taking. Maybe as a place setting photos or a countertop look!
Ornaments – these probably go without saying, if you’re taking a photo of your ornaments or anything Christmas tree-related, these will make perfect accents and pops of color. They can also be used to reflect Christmas lights and add even more dimension to the photos
Garland – laying this in a tree for an ornament shot, or using it as a background for a photo is just two of a plethora of ideas for how you can use this versatile prop. The best part is that garland comes in so many color combinations and there is even an evergreen look garland if that’s what you want!
Cookie cutters – these can add a vintage look to your photo, show the process of creation, or be used to sprinkle flour or spices in to make a nice shape out of the item rather than using the cookie-cutter itself
Sprinkles – these may be small but they can add tons of tiny details to your photo and make it more dynamic! Try it out!
Candy canes – add a nice red and white accent to your photo and pump up the Christmas look as well! Win-Win!
Coffee mugs – these can be full, or not, it all depends on what you want for the photo. Maybe they’re just in the shot or the main focal point! You decide!
Coffee beans – coffee beans can be complex little things. Not only do they allow us to have coffee (thank you coffee beans!) but they also have texture and nuances within their shape that you don’t necessarily think about. They also can add a great dimension to a photo or bring the contrast!
Pinecones – in my opinion pinecones just scream winter. We used to always have the cinnamon scented ones as part of a Christmas craft at Sunday school and thinking of them reminds me of snowy winter days! You can get the scented or unscented ones, it doesn’t matter for the photo!
Blankets or scarfs – these add amazing texture to a photo or could make a nice background element – I’m thinking some sort of plaid (maybe black and white or buffalo) what texture would you go with?
Baking supplies – this could be flour, brown sugar, sprinkles, butter, cream cheese, spices, yogurt, milk, anything that you can think of that will add to the photo. Maybe it adds a glimmer to the picture or more texture to an otherwise flat photo, it’s up to you!
Christmassy/Wintery Scrapbook Paper – this can be used for layer or as a background
Dried fruit (or fake dried fruit) – these always look amazing in photos, I have yet to find any but I want to use them this year so badly!
Table settings – I’m talking cutlery, plates, salad plates, napkins, table runners, the whole shebang! These could make great photos of your subject! Especially if your subject belongs on the table as a centerpiece or whatever!
Twine – going for a more rustic look? Twine is your new best friend!
Cinnamon sticks – these give people the idea of what the scene smells like through a photo which adds a nice touch!
Stockings – what’s more endearing than stockings hung by the chimney with care? Almost nothing.
Hot chocolate/coffee – fill up those mugs with a nice warm (or completely cold, who’s going to know?) cup of hot cocoa or coffee!
Small (vintage-look) trinkets – I’m on the hunt for some small props like vintage, or vintage-looking nutcracker figurines and other similar things. I think they add a nice unique touch to photos that not many can replicate!