How to use props effectively in product photography
Keep focus on your product while adding visual context
Props add context and storytelling to product photos, but they must enhance—not distract. Use the 80/20 rule: your product should occupy 80% of visual attention, props only 20%.
Golden Rules
1. Props should tell a story
Choose props that show how or where the product is used. Coffee mug → coffee beans. Running shoes → trail path.
2. Limit to 2-3 props maximum
Too many props create clutter. Stick to 2-3 complementary items that don't compete for attention.
3. Use props at different depths
Place props in foreground (slightly blurred) and background to create depth without overwhelming the main product.
4. Match prop style to brand aesthetic
Minimalist brand → clean, simple props. Rustic brand → wood, natural elements. Luxury → marble, gold accents.
5. Avoid competing colors
Props should complement, not clash. If your product is bold red, use neutral props (white, gray, wood).
Category-Specific Tips
Fashion & Apparel
- • Sunglasses, watches, minimal jewelry
- • Fabric swatches in background
- • Hangers, shoe trees (subtle)
- • Avoid: busy patterns, competing outfits
Electronics
- • Charging cables (coiled neatly)
- • Notebooks, pens for scale
- • Coffee cup (work context)
- • Avoid: cluttered desk items
Beauty & Cosmetics
- • Flowers, botanicals (sparse)
- • Marble surfaces, clean towels
- • Cotton pads, applicators
- • Avoid: too many products at once
Home & Kitchen
- • Fresh ingredients (for cookware)
- • Linens, placemats (subtle)
- • Plants in background
- • Avoid: messy, lived-in clutter
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ❌ Props larger or brighter than the product
- ❌ Too many items creating visual noise
- ❌ Props that have nothing to do with product use
- ❌ Distracting text or logos on props
- ❌ Props blocking key product features
Try different prop combinations
Lume's prop library makes it easy to experiment
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