Before lockdown, I pretty much NEVER shot content at home. My flat is cosy enough but not particularly photogenic, and with London in all it's floral-bedecked, pastel-housed glory at my doorstep, there was never much need to. However with lockdown imposed on the UK in mid-March, it soon became clear to me that I need to figure out how to create content stat. As easy as it would be to endlessly post throwbacks, I wanted my content to reflect the realities of the current situation in a fun and uplifting way.
I've already written a blog post outlining how I've been shooting content at home in lockdown, but I thought I'd delve into a bit more depth about the equipment I've used and props I've invested in. I'll be honest, I've been so jealous of so many of my peers whose minimal aesthetic looks amazing with just a simple draped sheet backdrop, but with my colourful, more is more feed that was never going to work. With pretty much every photo I've had to invest in props of some kind, from extravagant balloon installations to a nice cheese for a photogenic cheese board. Of course you don't have to spend £££ to take a great photo - for example I've been using food a lot as a cheap pop of colour, plus affordable party supplies like bunting and balloons are easy ways to add detail to an image.
Shoot Equipment
Okay this one is pretty boring but necessary. I definitely use way more equipment shooting at home than I do when out and about. For instance I find it easiest to set up my tripod and self-timer on my phone and self-shoot, as I can see exactly what the setup and my poses are looking like in real time. I've linked my tripod below!
I also use a softbox light as often it can be quite gloomy with shooting indoors, or if the light is coming from one side via a window a second light source can help even out the shadows. I wouldn't recommend the one I have (one light doesn't work at all, and the working on is super temperamental!), but I've linked some similar options.
Soft Furnishings
I had a cushion problem before lockdown shooting, but now?! Yeah, it's bad! In my defense, they're a great way to fill a space and add colour! I've also picked up a selection of different duvet sets and throws to make the same spaces look different, and to fit my different colour schemes. My favourite is my tassel duvet set from Etsy - it's a bit on the pricier side and I ummed and ahhed over getting it for ages, but I went for it and have no regrets, its gorgeous! Etsy and eBay are two of my favourites when scouting for home decor - Matalan and Dunelm are another couple of affordable options!
Wall Art
The one thing I've really struggled with is filling my blank white walls, as I'm not a fan of too much white space in my images. Cai & Jo's collage kits (linked below) were a great find as you can rearrange them in so many different ways, plus there are plenty of colour options! They're on the pricier side (though worth it for the high quality prints!), but there are some great print at home alternatives on Etsy if you're looking for something a little cheaper.
Alongside my cushion problem I also admit to a wall art problem. I got quite a few of my prints through collaborations with Juniqe and Desenio, which are two of my favourite places to shop for prints. If you're looking to jazz up your space with some art prints, make sure to check out my guide to putting together a gallery wall!
Props
It's been really fun coming up with interesting prop ideas. I usually start with a theme eg. teen bedroom, vintage 70s, wimbledon, and take it from there! Plants, vases, flowers, candles, records and a record player, an instant camera, vintage phone - just some of the endless list of fun prop ideas! I like things that will add a pop of colour, like a bouquet of flowers, or my Crosley record player. If your feed vibe is more minimal, pampas grass and cream vases are popular choices.
Food and Drink
I've been getting so into food styling during this lockdown period, nearly all my recent images have some sort of food component! Admittedly, it's a lot of effort, but it's a nice way to add detail, colour, and fill empty space on a bed or floor. Fruit is an easy one - I recently bought a bunch of shape cutters from Amazon and made a fun shaped fruit platter! I've also done movie night spreads (e.g. diner food, Mexican nachos and tacos), breakfast spread (pancakes and smoothie bowls), and cocktails. Most of the homeware featured is from Anthropologie - I'm such a huge fan of their kitchen and dining range, their glassware in particular is gorgeous!
I hope this post helps give you some ideas for new shoot concepts and props you can use! Let me know in the comments what your experience has been if you've been shooting from home too, and how your process has been affected by lockdown!
