Product Photography Props: What to Use and What to Avoid
Product photography props: how to choose ones that support the product, props to avoid, and how to keep a styled scene believable without stealing focus.
· 7 min read
Quick answer
A good prop gives the product context, like scale, use or setting, without competing with it. Pick props that fit how the product is really used, keep the scene to a few items, and avoid anything that hides the product, implies it's included in the sale or carries another brand's name. On a white background shot, use no props at all.
What are props in product photography?
A prop is anything in the frame that isn't the product. It might be a cup next to a coffee grinder, a towel under a bottle of lotion, or a wooden surface under a candle. Props set the scene, show how big something is, and hint at who the product is for. Used well, they make a shopper picture owning the product. Used badly, they pull the eye away from what you're trying to sell.
How do I choose props that work?
Start with how the product is used. A water bottle near a gym bag, a candle on a bedside table. If you can't say why a prop is there, leave it out.
Keep the product the loudest thing. Props should be quieter in color, size and contrast. Neutral colors and natural materials like wood, linen and stone rarely fight the product.
Use scale on purpose. A familiar object next to a small product, such as a hand, a coin or a mug, tells shoppers how big it is.
Repeat colors from the product or its label. A prop that echoes the label color ties the scene together.
Stay with three props or fewer. Past that, the scene starts to look cluttered.
Match the setting to the shopper. A premium skincare product and a kids' toy don't live in the same scene.
What props should I avoid?
Other brands' products and logos. A visible competitor's name or a famous logo in the background pulls attention from your own brand.
Anything that suggests it's included. If a shopper might think the throw pillow or the extra cup comes with the product, they'll be disappointed, and some marketplaces want main images to show only what's in the purchase. See our Amazon main image requirements.
Busy patterns. Strong stripes, checks and florals compete with the product's own details.
Props that block the product. Never cover the label or the front of the product.
Reflective props near shiny products. Glass, polished metal and mirrors show up in the product's own reflections.
Fake-looking greenery or food. Plastic plants and wilted garnishes read as cheap in a close photo. Use real, fresh items or none at all.
Props that go out of date. A holiday prop in a main product shot dates the listing.
When shouldn't I use props at all?
On a white background shot, the product is the only thing in the frame. Marketplaces expect that for the main image, and it's what catalog pages and comparison grids need. If you're shooting for white background product photography, skip props. Save them for a lifestyle image, which is where they do the most good.
What props work for common product types?
Candles: natural surfaces like wood or stone, a book, a dish. See our candle product photography.
Skincare: a towel, a leaf or a stone, and a clean surface. Keep water and texture shots simple. See our skincare product photography.
Wine and spirits: a glass, a cork, a simple board. Keep the label facing the camera. See our wine and spirits photography and our glass product photography for how reflective bottles and glassware are shot.
Clothing and flat items: a few accessories next to the garment, or a clean, simple flat lay.
How does the backdrop change which props I need?
The surface and wall behind the product decide how loud your props can be. A plain backdrop lets one or two props do the job. A textured or colored one needs even fewer. Our guides to backdrop ideas and creating the perfect white backdrop cover that side of the set.
Should I style the scene myself or hire it out?
Simple scenes are easy to do at home: a surface, a window and one or two props. The hard part is making it look like a real place, with believable light and a story. Our lifestyle product photography starts at $375 and is quoted to scope. Every project starts with real studio photos of your actual product. Some lifestyle shoots are real styled sets. For others, we use AI to build the scene from those real photos. We choose the approach that suits each product. If you're shooting for a marketplace listing, our guide on how to take photos for an Amazon listing shows where lifestyle images fit in a set.
Related service
Lifestyle and creative photos from $375.
Styled scenes that help shoppers picture the product in their life, for ads, social and your site.
Frequently asked questions
What are props in product photography?
A prop is anything in the frame that isn't the product, like a cup, a towel or a wooden surface. Props set the scene, show scale and suggest how the product is used.
How many props should I use in a product photo?
Three or fewer is a good limit. Each one should have a reason to be there, and the product should stay the most eye-catching thing in the frame.
Should I use props on a white background photo?
No. On a white background shot the product is the only thing in the frame. Save props for lifestyle images.
What props should I avoid?
Avoid other brands' logos, props that suggest they're included in the sale, busy patterns, anything that covers the product and reflective items near shiny products.
Sam Werkmeister
Sam Werkmeister, founder and CEO of ProductPhoto, has over two decades of experience in product photography.
