This week, please welcome guest blogger, Framed Photography.

There are so many details a photographer must do to prepare for a session.  The location, clothing, lighting, equipment, the list is endless.  One thing that is sometimes forgotten is a prop.  They can help make a photo interesting and give it character.  Here are some ideas of great props to use:

A personal touch:

A hobby they or their parents have:

Something simple:

Find something on site:

Something antique:

A bribe:

Something to sit in:

How do you know what props to bring to a session?

Before each session I send a survey through e-mail.  It ask questions like the names and ages of everyone in the session. This let’s me know the age group I am working with.  I also ask questions such as clothing ideas/colors schemes, ideas for locations, hobbies and interest.  I even ask them if they have a favorite heirloom or anything they want to incorporate into the session.

These questions help me to know what kind of props I might want to use.  If they have a favorite toy or book, or hobby,  I have them bring it to the session. i.e.  A dad and son both brought their guitars and played them.  They hadn’t even thought of that until they had filled out the survey. They were some of their favorite pictures because they were so personal.

What if they don’t have anything??

When they don’t have anything personal that we can use in their session, that is when I might bring a favorite chair or suitcase to sit on, something not as personal but still works in any session. I have buckets and buckets of different props I can bring to the session.

How do you organize your props?

I have all my buckets labeled by gender and age group, that way it is easy to grab on my way out.

Where do you get your props from?

I have collected most of my props from yard sales, antique stores, or D.I. (like the Goodwill). Anytime I go to a place like that I have my eye out for things I could use as a prop.  It drives my husband crazy!

Any other tips?

Even such things as bubbles, pinwheels, balloons or a giant sucker help a child when they might otherwise be sick of getting their picture taken. I always bring several items and let the parents decide since it is going to be on their walls.  I save those items for the end, since they can sometimes be messy.

About Framed Photography: I have been doing photography for 2 years.  I fit in the category: mom turned photographer and now I am passionate about it. I have to force myself to put the camera down! I have 3 beautiful girls; they are 7, 5, and almost 3, and the most amazing husband!  We live in Saint George, Utah where I own Framed Photography.  Links: www.myframedphotography.com/Blog and www.myframedphotography.com, You can also find me on facebook here: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Framed-Photography-Brittany-Stucki/331404254302