Food Photograpy Props – A Resource Guide

So often I see post after post in food blogging forums or hangouts on where to get food photography props.  Where?? Where are they hiding?

The truth is, it’s not a big mystery.  They’re everywhere you look.  Anything can be repurposed for a food photo.  And it doesn’t have to be expensive.  In fact, I wrote a whole post on food photography props on a budget over a year ago.  It’s one of my most read posts so obviously, people are out there looking for places to get good stuff without breaking the bank.

But I thought, it might be helpful, if I put together a list of food photography props resources for everyone.  All the “secret” places people go to get great stuff.  I’ll update it as I find more.  I know I have missed hundreds of great place so if you know of something I’ve missed, then be sure to mention it in the comments and I’ll add it in.

But remember, the best tool you have is your imagination – think outside the box and look at everything you see in a new light – it might be an item just waiting for its potential cameo!

Chain Stores For Food Photography Props

These are stores that all have bricks and mortar locations that are available in Canada and the US, and in some cases, Europe.  Most, but not all, have on-line stores as well.  Always, always check the sale section!

• Anthropologie
• Canadian Tire – Canada
• CB 2 – Canada/US – ship worldwide
• Chapters/Indigo – Canada but ships Internationally
• Costco – US and Canada
• Crate and Barrel  – Canada/US – ships internationally
• Daiso – Daiso USA (also has on-line shopping in US only) and Daiso Canada (bricks and mortar only).  One of my personal favourites
• Essential Packaging – Vancouver area (we purchased a number of items here for FBC2013!)
• Green Gate – international but not easy to find in the US or Canada
• Home Outfitters  – Canada – bricks and mortar only
• Homesense  in Canada and Europe or Home Goods in the US – bricks & mortar
• Hudson’s Bay  – Canada – not clear on their website if they ship internationally
• Ikea – worldwide
• Kitchen Stuff Plus – Canada (ships to the US)
• Liberty London – UK based but ship worldwide
• Loblaws – Real Canadian Superstore specifically  (Canada only), bricks & mortar only
• Mia Blanche Keramik – Sweden.  Webshop coming soon and I can’t wait!!
• Michaels – good for backgrounds (scrapbook paper!) and check out the Sale Section.  They often have lots of cute, seasonal decor items that you can store for next year
• Ming Wo – Vancouver locations only
• Pier 1 Imports (Canada and the US)
• Pottery Barn – International
• Restoration Hardware – Canada and the US
• Sur La Table  – US locations, ships internationally
• Target – Canada and US
• Walmart (N. America), or Asda (UK)
• West Elm – stores in Canada and the US but ship internationally
• Williams-Sonoma – International
• Winners (Canada), TJ Maxx (US), or TK Maxx (Europe)
• World Market (US Only)

On-Line Resources For Food Photography Props

I know there are many, many on-line sources for props but these are some of my favourites.  If you have great finds to add, let me know in the comments!

• Create-ologie
• Cute Tape – US but ships internationally
• Dotcom Gift Shop – UK based – ship within Europe
• E-Bay – know your prices and stick to them and you can score some great finds!
• etsy – so many shops, vintage finds, tableware, cake stands etc. Individual shop inventories change so much I’m not listing individual ones here
• Fishs Eddy (New York but ship worldwide)
• garnish (shipping rates listed for US and Canada. Inquire for additional shipping rates)
• Greenmunch – eco-friendly items, Canadian but ships to the US and International
• Herriott Grace – Canadian but ships internationally
• Jilly Bean Kids (US based but ships internationally)
• Love Mae (Australia but ship worldwide)
• Minted – US based but ships internationally
• Omiyage – Canada based but ship internationally
• Pick Your Plum – Daily deal site – ships to Canada and the US
• Provisions by Food52 – US Shipping only
• Room 6 – only ships to Canada and US.  There is a bricks and mortar location in Deep Cove, N. Vancouver, if you are local and wish to avoid shipping costs
• Shop Sweet Lulu – US based but ships internationally
• Sucre Shop – US based but ship internationally
• Wind and Willow Home – US based but ships internationally

 

Food Photography Props on a Budget

• Dollar Stores – there are many chains, some better than others but they’re always worth a peek in the door
• Value Village/Village de Valeurs (Canada), Savers, Value Village, Unique and Valu Thrift (US), Savers (Australia)
• Salvation Army (N. America)
• Oxfam (UK)
• Thrift shops of any kind – hospital auxiliary committees run one in nearly every city in the country as do many other charities
• Flea Markets/Car Boot Sales/Tag Sales – know your prices – these can range from awesome bargain finds to insanely expensive
• Garage Sales or Moving Sales
• Chinatown – I can’t speak for the world but Vancouver’s Chinatown is a mecca for inexpensive, unique props with an Asian flare – dishes, teapots, bamboo steamers, etc.  Any area in a city that has a prominent ethnic shopping district can provide interesting props, often very inexpensively.  Explore!

Other Food Photography Props Sources

• Craft/Artisan fairs.  One of my favourites in Vancouver is the twice annual Make It Show (also held in Edmonton).  They have lots of funky artisans at reasonable prices.  November/December is the best time to look for these and they’re everywhere.  I recommend going on a weekday if you can.
• Antique Stores – although they can be pricey, you never know!
• Estate Sales – you can find some unique items but they can be expensive
• Prop Rental houses – yes, they exist.  If you’re looking for something unique for a one time gig, these can be a great place to check out.

For more great food photography prop finds, you can check out my Food Photography Prop board on pinterest!

Have I missed something great?  Let me know in the comments and I’ll add it.  I’ll be updating this post regularly as I find more beautiful items!