I thought I’d share some of my favourite props when taking
shots at my jewellery. I consider three main issues when choosing props. One: I think it important that whatever props
you use, they have to be practical – I use them as holders, hooks and hangers.
Two they are not allowed to steal the show or distract from the jewellery, so I
like making sure they don’t have bright colours and usually shot them so they
are not fully in the shot.. Third: They have to suit the jewellery and help tell
the same story.
So my pieces are usually inspired by stories, fairytales and
nature, which means props that come from nature, is an obvious choice. I love
my conch and though I can’t remember where I got it, I have had it for ages and
have used it often in drawings as well as photos. My little wind plant with
moss is fairly new. I was looking for a dish with a rim so that I could stage
some earring shots and came across this little fellow in just the right
colours. Just beware that it’s a lie when they say wind plants don’t need
taking care of (I killed the first one, shh).
The branch I got from my sister in law’s garden. She has two
beautifully gnarly trees like this and they are perfect for hanging all sorts
of things on. I’ve got some large branches too that I use for fairy lights and
golden decorations at xmas time.
The ring is a quick homemade one I put together with a
crystal and some bronze coloured wire. Not my greatest work but it serves one
important purpose; it provides scale to some pieces, which is one of the
hardest challenges when shooting jewellery I find. When I get really close up to
show the details it often makes it really hard to judge an item’s size.
The tissue paper I use in almost every shot and it really
helps tie the look of my store together. I bought a couple of coffee cups from
a cafe and they came wrapped in this. I love the colour and the faint writing
which reminds me of journals and maps – perfect for stories.
The brass cup is from a whole Turkish tea set I bought at a
charity shop. I love treasure hunting in those stores and never feel guilt about
spending money in there. After all it’s for a good purpose, I’m recycling the
item and if I don’t use it I can always just give it back to the shop. I love
these old things that makes me wonder where they came from and who their
previous owner were.
I just got a new item yesterday. I didn’t know what it was,
but the look was just so wonderful. The old wood, the worn of checker pattern
and that fantastic steel screw. When I got home I realised it must be a flower
press and discovered that the steel is from Sheffield. That just makes it even
more perfect. I have given it a good wash and some polish and hopefully I can
give it some good use as a prop.
