Budget-Friendly Props for Product Photography Style your candle, soap, and home fragrance product photos without breaking the bank!

Appealing product photography doesn’t require expensive equipment or props. Whether you’re photographing candles, soaps, or other handmade goods, you can create quality images with affordable materials and everyday items—or even objects you already have around your home!

Today, we’re exploring cost-conscious ways to style your photos with backdrops, risers, and elements that add impactful visual interest to your shots. We share ideas on props that work particularly well for candles, wax melts, soaps, reed diffusers, and room and linen sprays. And, we cover smart strategies to help you build a prop collection that’s useful and makes the most of your money.

The foundation of every product photo starts with a surface and backdrop. While specialized photography backdrops and surfaces can be trendy and beautiful, many are also rather costly. 

Fortunately, there are economical alternatives that can help you achieve professional-looking results all the same: 

• White foam board provides a clean look for e-commerce photos. Its rigid structure allows it to be used under and behind the products being photographed. Be sure to select a foam board without any marks or creases.
• Paper rolls are a versatile option for product photos that you can find at art supply stores in a multitude of colors. A benefit of paper, besides its lower cost, is that you can easily cut off any damaged sections and roll out a fresh surface when it’s time to take photos. An alternative to paper rolls is poster board, which is also inexpensive and available in many colors. Both can be used as the background and surface for product photos.
• Large sample tiles from home improvement stores make excellent tabletop surfaces. Many stores offer free or low-cost samples, and you can find stylish marble, concrete, or wood-look options that add the desired looks to your photos.
• Fabric also works as a backdrop and can add texture and warmth to your photos. If you don’t want to worry with ironing, look for wrinkle-resistant fabrics!

If you need help with this part of your product photography, we explore how to select backdrops and surfaces that fit your brand’s aesthetic and appeal to your target audience.

After selecting the surface and backdrop, risers are a prop worth using in your product photos of home fragrance and bath and body products. 

Because these products are generally small, risers elevate them—literally and figuratively—to draw focus, add color and texture to the image, and create layered arrangements that are pleasing to the eye. 

And the good news? Many everyday items can be used as risers! Consider these budget-friendly options:

• Cupcake or mini plant stands make perfect pedestals for displaying individual candles and soaps. Larger stands can be used to present several items from your product line. Select materials and finishes that complement your brand’s aesthetic to create a cohesive look across your product photography.
• Small boxes and trays, whether simple or decorative, are effective risers for product photography. Boxes provide height and trays can be used for grouping several products together in an organized, appealing way. Materials like acrylic, metal, or wood each bring a unique character to your photos.
• Wood slices or small stone slabs, available at craft stores or foraged from natural materials found outside, add an organic texture to your product photos while serving as a base for the candle or soap being photographed. If your brand’s style isn’t rustic or nature-inspired, try using coasters or small dishes instead. They come in countless colors, styles, and thicknesses so you’re sure to find one that fits the vibe you’re going for.
• Stacked books offer another dimension to product photos, adding both height and personality. Choose volumes whose spines feature colors that complement your brand palette, or select titles that nod to your audience’s interests or brand focus.

Natural items like botanicals, food ingredients, accessories, and decor pieces are all excellent candidates to use as styling elements for product photography. 

Intentionally chosen styling elements can transform a simple product photo into a compelling visual story that resonates with shoppers. Layering in these props helps communicate a product’s features, seasonal relevance, or intended use—and puts the finishing touch on appealing compositions.

Natural elements and food ingredients offer one of the most cost-effective starting points for styling, since many can be foraged or sourced from your kitchen. 

Ideas for natural styling elements include:

• Fresh or dried flowers, leaves, and branches for organic texture
• Cinnamon sticks, coffee beans, and citrus slices to suggest scent profiles
• Shells and sand for coastal-themed products
• Pine cones and evergreen sprigs for winter collections

Many practical accessories used with your products can do double duty as props—look first at items you already own before purchasing new ones. These items help customers imagine how they'll interact with your products.

• For candles, try: matches, wick trimmers, and snuffers
• For soaps, use: natural loofahs, soft washcloths, and soap dishes

First, look around your home for decor and textiles before heading to a store. Many everyday items add interesting or contextual accents to your photos that create inviting lifestyle scenes.

Examples of household items that make great props include:

• Reflective elements like small mirrors, metallic trays, and glass vessels
• Holiday decorations like ornaments, string lights, and seasonal accents
• Soft goods like fabric napkins and scarves for draping, as well as pillows and throw blankets in the background

Remember that styling elements should enhance, rather than overwhelm, your products. They can add layers and depth to your image, and sometimes a single, well-chosen prop can make a stronger impact than multiple accessories!

Creating product photos doesn’t require an extensive or expensive prop collection. With creativity and smart shopping strategies, you can collect a versatile set of photography props that will showcase your handmade products beautifully. Start small, focusing on props that work across multiple seasons and product types. As your business grows, you can gradually add more specialized props to your collection.

And remember, the goal of photo props is to enhance, not overshadow, your products. Even the simplest styling elements can make a big impact when used thoughtfully. By being resourceful and selective with your prop choices, you can create professional-looking product photos that help sell your handmade goods while staying wallet-wise.