TIP TUESDAY: FAVORITE PHOTOSHOOT PROPS

Be right back, just cringing about the stress I experience each time I’m taking photos and have an awkward hand moment. Blogger or not, we’ve all been there. Hand placement can be stressful. I still catch myself saying “please delete that one before I even look at it” when I’m having a hand panic moment.  A quick fix? Grab a “hand distraction” so you’re a little less focused on what the heck to do with them in photos. Today I’m sharing examples of my favorite on-hand props to help mix up poses. See ya never, photobombing hands. ✌🏼

YOUR DRINK

One of my favorite ways to mix up poses is holding a drink. Grab your Starbucks tumbler, a cup from your local coffee store or a glass of wine to show a different take on your usual stance. You can make your post somewhat focused on the drink, or steer a totally different direction. “Do you prefer iced or hot coffee?” is always a caption that gets the conversation going on my posts!

FLOWERS

One of my favorite ways to add pops of color or fill up my hands is adding florals. From a whole bouquet down to one or two stems, mixing florals into your photos can change up mundane poses. Be mindful that florals can also say a lot about the seasons. For example, poinsettias gives Christmas/winter vibes whereas sunflowers are more tied to spring and summer.  Babys breath and eucalyptus are pretty season-neutral, so that’s an easy option when looking to create batches of content you can post throughout the year.

MAKEUP 

My lipgloss is cool. My lipgloss is poppin’.  It’s also the perfect prop for photoshoots. You can use gloss, a puff from your powder compact or anything in your makeup bag as a prop. These type of photos are great for “get ready with me” posts or chatting about your favorite makeup products.

HANDBAGS

When starting out, I relied heavily on handbags. I am an admitted purse hoarder, so it’s something I already had on hand to mix into photos. Long strap crossbodies, clutches and huge totes make for easy accessories that don’t take away from the focus of your picture. Any of the above photos could be used to chat about handbags, but they could also be used for a completely different topic.

USE YOUR PHONE

I didn’t actually have a vision when taking these photos, but I’m so glad we did! Using the phone was great for this blog post on “always answering” and works great for any of my “let’s chat!” posts.

SUNGLASSES

Utilize “props” you already have. Sunnies are perfect for these poses. They work great if you’re poolside or on the boat and not wearing makeup but still want to grab a photo. I utilize them year-round, in and out of photos. Seasonal sunnies like the heart ones in my photo are great for Valentine’s themed content, too!

GRAB A HAT

Another easy option for hand placement is holding the brim of your hat. I’ve seen super cute photos where people hold both sides of their hat, but my favorites usually end up being one-handed. Play around until you find your preference! Ball caps and beanies are also hat options you can utilize to busy your hands for the photo.

JACKETS

As the seasons change, jackets tend to easily work their way into my photoshoots. Not only does it help in chilly temps, but I have every excuse to hide my hands! It can get awkward trying to pose, so jackets allow you to naturally gravitate towards your pockets. Use jackets, cardigans and a chambray top as a way to get additional photos without changing your outfit, too. Layering a busy print over a dress you just took photos in saves tons of time!

SNACKS

Hear me out – is there ever a time snacking isn’t priority? Not for the Vizuet Family! I love incorporating snacks into my photos. They make for fun props, allow me to chat with followers about must-try flavors and get the conversation going in my comments. It’s always fun to ask a burning question, like “help us decide – yay or nay to pineapple on pizza!” and get feedback from y’all. BONUS: a ton of paid partnerships usually come from food companies. Having some of this content on your feed already is great for showing how it’ll make an organic fit for your followers if you’re selected.

HAIR

When all else fails, just grab your hair. No really, playing with my hair is always a default pose when I panic and don’t know what to do with them. After all, it’s attached to me… for the most part (extension probs). When using hair as your hand distraction, be mindful of the purpose of your pictures. If you’re holding hair with both hands, it might give the message that hair is the intent. If that’s what you’re going for, you’re doing great. If not, maybe just lightly tussle with one hand. BONUS: using one hand to push hair back is one of my favorite ways to show off accessories. Sometimes earrings are tricky, so this is one of my go-to tricks for making them the focus.

Okay friends, which of your favorite on-hand props am I forgetting?  Which of these are you trying out first?! Tag me in your “prop” post – I’d love to see how it turns out!