Am I scooting around Rome or sitting in front of a vinyl backdrop in my garage?

You don’t need to be a professional photographer with expensive equipment to create beautiful photos. You don’t even need to leave your house. 

Whether you need to take consistent product photos, create a magical Xmas card, or you’re setting a theme for a party. Heres how you can do it on a budget.  But first I’d like you to meet my polar bear.

I had just arrived home from a day at the beach when I suddenly felt like throwing on a ball gown and having a champagne with my polar bear. Luckily I had just the back drop.

HERE’S WHAT I USE FOR MY HOME STUDIO

• My iPhone 7plus
• Lights from Amazon $55
• Backdrop $24
• Tripod $14
• clear corkboard pins $3

THE SET-UP

CHOOSE YOUR BACKDROP

I find my backdrops on Amazon they are between $20 -$40US. Check out here.

I adore Kates Backdrops, they’re computer printed on a wrinkle resistant cloth micro-fiber. The pattern is so realistic. All sizes are one continuous piece for a seamless backdrop.

Pay attention to the size of the background you order. Measure the wall for your backdrop. The first backdrop I purchased was ideal for children but not for an adult. For example, a 5 x 7 feet backdrop where part of that length is on the floor, would not be tall enough for an adult. A backdrop that is 5 x10ft and is long enough for adults.

Note – If your backdrop doesn’t have a added floor section. You’ll need to choose a covering. A picnic blanket works well. A strip of fake grass. You can buy a separate backdrop just for the floor. For example, a cobbled street, a white-washed timber floor, or a sand backdrop.

Or edit using tools that can add mist or snow or pretty much anything you want as I’ve done here with my polar bear using theEnlight Photo App.

LIGHTING

This lightweight and easy-to-use lighting kit has four and a half stars on Amazon after 4776 reviews. It’s easy to set up, it’s affordable, and the photos come out evenly, no nasty shadows.  Check it out.

TRIPOD

A tripod is essential.  I bought this one for my iPhone

If you have a camera, check this one out 

WAYS TO HANG YOUR BACKDROP

• Pin it to your wall I use clear plastic headed pins ( used on corkboards) and pushed then in with my thumb You can hammer then gently into the plasterboard, it’s hard on your thumb otherwise.

• A backdrop support frame ($35) is what the professional studios use. I didn’t go for this option as I wanted to use my backdrops as wall decorations. If you have space and want a permanent set- up this is the way to go.
• Kates Backdrops are ideal for a backdrop support frame. The small sizes(below 6.5x10ft) have a 5cm pocket running along the top. The larger sizes have a 10cm pocket, so more convenient to hang.
• Clear Command Hooks $3 with grommets $8 are another option. Command hooks mean you don’t have to pin into your wall. You will need to cut holes in your canvas though. Make four holes evenly across the top, more depending on the width of your backdrop. About 1-1.5 inches from the top. I would advise adding grommets to prevent the holes from tearing.

NOTES

Find a wall in your house or garage. If you have a kid’s playroom, you can attach your backdrop to the wall and leave it there. It will add a magical element a play room.

For backdrops that are not micro-fibre. I use a hand clothes steamer to take out the creases once I’ve tacked it to the wall. You can also put your iron on a low setting before hanging it.