Bookstagram Props & Background Ideas for Book Photos

As a Bookstagrammer, you probably know that books are the main focus of your Instagram feed. But you can easily spruce up your book photography with Bookstagram props and unique backgrounds!

But before we get to props & backdrops, let’s take a step back and talk about how to style book photos.

Styling Your Bookstagram Photos

When styling a photo with props, it helps to choose a particular theme to work around.

This can be a particular book, a specific product you’re highlighting, one aspect of your lifestyle, a color, or any number of things.

As long as the objects in the photo make sense together and compliment the look, you should be golden.

As an example, let’s say you’re going for a theme centering around self-care. You might want to include a candle, some bath bombs, your current read: all things that focus on your theme.

Now, let’s go over the individual pieces that make up a styled book photo.

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Backdrops

To start, you’ll likely need at least one quality backdrop.

This can be a wooden table you already have, textured poster board, or any other material that fits your aesthetic (as long as it’s clean!).

Keep the angle of your photo in mind. If it’s a flatlay, anything vertical will work (a table, floor, comforter, etc.). If it will be taken straight-on, a nice wall or draped cloth would work better.

You can look outside your home, too. Explore your town or a nearby city. When you’re out and about, you might come across an interesting background like a wall mural or a beautiful gardens. (Don’t forget to bring some books with you!).

Remember to have some fun with it. Life isn’t all about snapping fabulous photos for the ‘gram!

Props

Use a few props (or a lot, if that’s your style!) to make your photos more interesting. These can be chalkboards, succulents, trays; the options are endless.

You can organize your props on multiple levels using a stand or supporting prop, like floating shelves and ring stands.

Props can enhance a photograph’s subject, or they can be the subject of the image. It’s all about the message you’re trying to convey.

Texture

Another great way to make your photos stand out is by adding texture. This can be anything from fabrics and textiles to brick and clay. Think interesting, mostly natural materials.

Luckily, you can find a wide variety of textured materials in your home.

For example, bundle knit sweaters or chunky blankets around your focal point to add a cozy feel to your image. Or, spill some coffee beans over your background to add an extra layer of interest.

Colors

Using complementary colors can really make your image pop.

Complementary Colors: yellow & purple, blue & orange, red & green.

(I know it might not seem like these colors would go well together, but this is based on color theory. Try different tones of each color and see how they coordinate).

Analogous Colors: red & orange, yellow & green, blue & purple.

If you have one or two stand-out colors or tones, consider adding items with more neutral tones (black, white, grey, navy, beige, blush, etc.) to balance out the focal point.

At the end of the day, go with what you like. If you don’t like how something looks, play around with it. Swap out props or change the background until you find the sweet spot!

One last caveat: your images don’t need to be perfectly styled. Taking photos for Bookstagram should be fun (not stressful!). Spend as much or as little time on it as you like.

Now, let’s move on to Bookstagram props and photo styling inspiration!

Bookstagram props and background ideas for book photos

Bookstagram Prop Ideas

Bookstagram props are a great way to make your photos stand out, and give them a particular aesthetic or mood. Fortunately, you should already have some of these props lying around your home!

Candles + candle holders

Flowers (real or fake)
Succulents + greenery

Tea cups
Coffee mugs
Scissors
Ribbon
Bottles, jars + glassware
Frames

Enamel pins
Jewelry

Glasses + sunglasses

Pens + pencils

Twine
Shelves
Food (fruit, dessert, nuts, anything!)
Drinks (cocktails, smoothies, tea, coffee, etc.)

Wooden trays
Mirrors
Pillows
Journals/Planners

Clothing

Laptop
Headphones
Pets
Handbags

Camera
Your (or someone else’s) cell phone

POP Funkos

Letter boards
Chalkboard signs

Bookmarks

Stickers

String lights

Fancy soaps
Bath bombs/salts

Bookstagram Background Ideas

Marble countertops
Wooden tables
Sand
A couch or chair
Tiled floor
Colored poster board
Brick wall
Wooden crate
Hardwood floor
Concrete (outside)
Carpet or rug
Contact or wrapping paper
Placemats
Table cloth or table runner

Vinyl fabric

And that’s it! I hope that gets your creative juices flowing, and helps you find some fabulous Bookstagram props that fit your style and aesthetic. 🙂 (And if you’re more of a minimalist like me prop-wise, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that!)

I’d love to see the beautiful photos you create – feel free to tag me on Bookstagram @reader.haven.

More about Bookstagram here: