Red Deer Alberta Photography| The Importance of Accessories

I wanted to write about accessories and photography props today and the importance of using them correctly when photographing infants, babies, children or teenagers.  All too often in the photography industry the prop options that are available are overwhelming.  Attend any RTS sale on Facebook or Google+ and you will be bombarded with options. I have been a photographer for 8 years now and over the years have purchased thousands of dollars worth of hats, tiebacks, blankets, baskets, stuffers and the list goes on and on.  It becomes a competition in a sense to beat out the next photographer in having the newest and best images possible to get that sale…but at what cost?

I wish to make clear that if you, my reader loves big crazy props – all the best to you!  There is always a time and place for props.  I have seen beautiful images over the years which have been extremely prop heavy and very well done.  This post is to simply outline my use of props and introduce you to the style I have built my brands around.

The principle behind all of First Blush Photography’s images is to just focus on the subject and keep it simple. I don’t use complicated backgrounds and I am not prop heavy – I tried it the other way for the first few years but just wasn’t sold on it. It wasn’t my style and I have never regretted abandoning so much of what I first stared with. Style is an evolution and mine is just classically simple and timeless. That brings me to the subject of my post and the importance of accessories. I *think* we are finally past the Gerber Daisy era.  As a photographer I have to be completely honest and tell you that they repulse me.  Sticking a headband on a newborn or baby where the child looks like a potted plant is terribly wrong in my opinion and I am always sad when I see it (though thankfully not for awhile now). It was a phase that we are hopefully passed, but the point I am trying to make is that using the wrong kind/size/shape or even colour of accessory can take away and distract the viewer from the importance of an image.  I want my subject to shine and that becomes impossible when all your looking at is the prop.

Simple is best.  It will always be best.

This was the philosophy I shared with First Blush Photography’s sister business Lamb. Newborn and Baby Props Alike.  I started Lamb about a year and a half ago and have spent many hours designing and crafting delicate tiebacks and floral wreaths to adorn and accentuate a newborn, not overpower them with the lights and sirens of large crocheted flowers (again – no hate to the crochet folks).  Even my latest shoot with my daughters included some very awesome and fun hair pieces from Tutu Du Monde.  They are just enough to stand out, but accent the clothing so well.  I think the older a child is the more fun you can have with all sorts of props so long as it fits the tone and subject matter well.  Coordinating colors can be quite important, especially for the newborn photographers out there…if your tieback does not match your blanket it will never appeal as much to the eye then if it did…unless it contrasts in the right way.  I feel like I am trying to understand SEO while typing this…always a thousand exceptions and examples.  Lol.

At the end of the day, only you have an idea of what you want to photograph.  Maybe it is huge Gerber Daisies.  Maybe it is not.  The choice is up to you and how you want to present yourself to the world.