As you read the word “props” in the title, your mind might have gone straight to moustaches and top hats on sticks that are often found at photo booth stations. Is that what you thought of?
While the “moustaches on sticks” can and do have their place, what we mean by the word “prop” is very, verrrrry different.
By "props", I mean objects that help to create a cohesive scene and add interest, variety, and personality to the photos. Let me explain.
Think of your favourite movie or show, particularly your favourite scene from a movie. Got one? Now think about what objects are in that scene to tell you what’s going on? Maybe the characters are at the beach, in which case there are probably towels, sunglasses, sunscreen, flip flops, a beach bag, water bottles, etc. Or maybe the character is at work, in which case they might have a suit jacket on their chair, a briefcase beside them, a laptop, etc. Characters aren’t often just in a location without the relevant props. The props communicate what the characters are doing there and give us more details about the scene.
A LACK of props can also communicate something in films and shows. For example, picture a movie where someone in love drops everything and shows up at their childhood crush’s front door empty handed, without as much as a coat. The lack of relevant props in this case communicates urgency and longing. This person could not wait another second to profess their love, not even long enough to put on a coat before heading out the door.
In the same way that movies and shows exist to tell a story, our approach to wedding photography and videography is to tell your story. We want the props that you bring to your engagement shoot or wedding to add relevant interest to the story that’s being told.
Props also helps us achieve the candid, natural style to our photos and videos. Having a prop to interact with is so helpful because, you may not know how to pose in a candid way, but I bet you know how to open and pour a bottle of champagne! Props like this keep your hands busy, give you something to do in front of the camera, and add variety to your finished photo gallery.
A bride’s wedding bouquet is a great and common example of a wedding prop! At every wedding we capture, we ask the bride to smile and look at her bouquet, hold it all sorts of ways, use it as a pretty background for ring detail photos, etc.
SO, what kinds of props will look good at my engagement photoshoot?
We’ve seen couples bring lots of different props to help create a scene at their engagement photoshoot. Some common examples are champagne and champagne glasses, bouquets, blankets, sunglasses, books, games, cowboy hats, and picnics. All of these are great ways to set the scene and give the photos more uniqueness and interest!
Flowy skirts and dresses are also like second cousins to props. 😊 They fit a very similar role because they can be used to add interest to photos – you can twirl in them, swing them around in them, hold onto them, and play with them almost like you would a prop.
Okay, but what kinds of prop would look good at my WEDDING?!
Weddings naturally already do include lots of props. During the “getting ready” part of the wedding day, there are accessories, croissants, make-up brushes, mimosas, bowties, and beers that we use as props! Of course, it depends on the couple and what their plans are, but there are so many props already around us naturally all day that we can add to the photos to tell the story well.
A bride’s wedding bouquet and a groom’s suit jacket are examples of things we can play around with to add variety to the photos! We often ask grooms to take their suit jacket off and toss it over their shoulder for a different look.
Some unique wedding prop examples to consider…
#1- Parasols: If you’re having a summer wedding, paper parasols are a great prop to have! They’re functional and keep you out of direct sun, but they also look so cute and give the photos a retro/chic touch. There are so many poses and photo opportunities we can do with parasols that we couldn’t do without them!
#2- Ice-Cream: Any cute snack or treat will do, but going for ice-cream/bubble tea/slurpees/iced coffees during your wedding day is such a good idea. Not only for the cute photos, but you’ll get a tasty treat and a few minutes to relax too.
#3- A pet: Okay, not technically a “prop” but if you have a fur baby and would like a photo with them, bringing them out for a few minutes of photos is so adorable! Bonus points if they have a flower collar or a special outfit for the big day.
#4- Champagne: This is probably an obvious prop, but a good champagne spray is sure to get your bridal party cheering and smiling. The photos from popping and pouring champagne always turn out so genuine and amazing!
#5- Sunglasses: Cute ‘bride & groom’ matching sunglasses are so fun for photos! Or maybe you have your wedding date written on the lenses, that’s a popular trend this year! Or you could even get matching sunglasses for your whole family or bridal party!
#6- An old camera: If you have an old, vintage camera laying around at home, bring it to your wedding day or photoshoot! It would be so fun for us to include it in photos… maybe we’ll take photos of you two taking photos with it!
#7- A cool car: This is the biggest prop suggestion that we have, but some couples like to pose with and drive around in a cool car that they rent or borrow from a family member! There’s so many fun poses and unique photos we can get from having a car to use.
#8- Sparklers: A common prop at weddings are sparklers! There are lots of fun ways we can use them, but again, having a sparkler gives you something to do with your hands and something to help us get candid photos of you two just living and interacting how you would naturally in the setting.
So, that’s a quick crash course on props!
Weddings already naturally include lots of props, so if bringing more things doesn’t sound fun to you, there is absolutely no need. But if you’d like to add a little extra personality to your photos, bringing props is an easy way to do that! They help us get natural, authentic photos of you interacting how you normally would with your pet, or while you’re getting ice-cream, or when you’re sitting together on a picnic blanket. Props help us create a cohesive scene that every good story needs… and your story is no different. 😊
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