BOOKSTAGRAM PROPS ON A BUDGET

Bookstagram Props on a Budget

☞ CHECK OUT MY POST ABOUT IDEAS FOR THE BEST BOOKSTAGRAM QUESTIONS

Bookstagram can seem to be quite taunting and intimidating, but in reality it isn’t so.

There are some that swear that consistency is key, others shoot whatever they feel like, but honestly Bookstagram should be fun. A place to talk about current books, favorite books, re-reads, new books etc.

But in case you have been thinking about starting a Bookstagram account, and you have questions about what props to use. Here is a list of props that work well for flatlay displays, that are cheap and look good.

Bookstagram Props on a Budget

Where to get props from?

I’m pretty sure you already have items that can be used as Bookstagram props. Such as:

Mug of tea or coffee ✔️
A scarf or blanket ✔️
Chunky sweater ✔️
Pretty bedlinen ✔️
Pillows (bed or sofa) ✔️
Other books ✔️
Wood cutting board ✔️
Candles ✔️
Plants ✔️
Flowers ✔️
Tray ✔️
Decor items ✔️

If you are still looking to add some more items to your collection, I love the home decor page from H&M, they have the cutest mugs. A pretty scarf is always a great investment. Decor items from TJ MAXX and Target are affordable, and look great even after you are done with shooting your photos.

Just remember, it adds up. And buying items you actually will be using is always better than just adding items for the sake of Bookstagram. I know what I’m talking about, I’ve done it, and had boxes with stuff I never used.

Bookstagram Props on a Budget

Do props have to be expensive?

Definitely not!! The items might not be expensive individually, but the costs add up. At the beginning I bought all kinds of decor that matched books, plots and themes, and I soon realized that a) it’s expensive to try to match my flatlay to the book, and b) I didnt’ have the storage for all the props.

So I downsized to only a few items I use in my photos again and again.

Bookstagram Props on a Budget

My favorite props

Here are the props I use all the time, I could probably put them all in one shopping bag and take them with me on vacation. Which is not a bad idea – lol.

WHITE CANDLES
I bought mine at IKEA, they are called FENOMEN, 5 unscented block candles for $7.99. I use them in almost every photo. And although I didn’t burn them in the beginning, I actually prefer the cozy look of a burned candle.

OLDER YELLOWED BOOKS AND REGULAR BOOKS
I use older books in my photos as backdrop, to fill the negative space and add some more bookish flair. It gives a lived in feeling, and we all love books, so the more the merrier. Some I’ve gotten from library sales, they are older MMP books and have yellowed pages which I love. I enjoy using them to add depth and dimension.

WOOD BOARD

I have two wooden boards I use all the time. I never used them besides Bookstagram, since I bought them specifically with Bookstagram in mind, but that is not to say that I can’t use them in the future. As I said above, I always prefer to buy items that can be used after I’m done shooting my photos. My olive wood board is from Trader Joes, two Christmas seasons ago, BUT they have olive wood cutting boards right now, I just saw them the other day.

The round board with the rind on the outside can be found at Michaels, TJ MAXX or any other art and craft store.

Bookstagram Props on a Budget

BABY BREATH

I love using baby breath in my photos, they add a feminine and delicate touch to my photos. Some of my baby breath is bleached by the sun. I left it outside in the sun for a week or two. I prefer the white and natural brown colors, compared to the green branches of fresh baby breath. But in the end it’s all about preference. As can be seen above, my photos are very bright, with lots of white and natural colors, and a focus on wood. I get my baby breath usually from Trader Joe’s.

WHITE LINEN SHEET

I prefer a white background, but any pretty bed sheet or comforter works. It all depends what kind of background you are interested in.

EYE/SUN GLASSES

I don’t actually wear glasses but I love the connection that glasses have to reading. To keep it budget friendly I found some pretty glasses at H&M. I don’t use them as often as all my other props, but I love to play around with them now and then.

SCARF

I bought a very cheap scarf in an off white with small gold stars that I use all the time. The scarf is from Amazon, and I love to use it to fill in negative space.

ROUND TRAY AND PLACE MAT

I LOVE the way a round tray or a place mat looks in a square photo. I don’t really know why this arrangement makes me happy, but I use them all the time. Both items are older purchases from H&M, but I’ve seen similar items throughout the year.

Bookstagram Props on a Budget

Tips for consistent lighting indoors

I don’t have many options for taking Bookstagram photos. During the day I shoot at the brightest time, when it’s sunny and next to a window. I often use my bed as a background by using a white sheet and pillows.

And by adding a filter I can brighten up any photo by quite a bit. Honestly, a filter makes a HUGE difference if natural light isn’t doing the job.

I found my pre-set filters on ETSY. They were a couple bucks, and they usually come in a set of 5 or more. I use them with Lightroom (app for mobile devices). The app is free and it’s easy to add the filters to the app. But make sure that when you purchase the pre-set filters that they are indeed usable with Lightroom.

Using filters is the one thing that gives me consistent lighting. Doesn’t matter if overcast or sunny, using filters is the one reliable option for a consistent look.

I hope I was able to help you guys! If you have any questions, feel free to message me here or on IG.

Bookstagram Props on a Budget