6 Easy Ways to Create a Stunning Background for Blog Photos [Updated]

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Ever wondered how to create a killer backdrop for your blog or Instagram images? Here are 6 easy backdrop ideas that you can implement at an inexpensive price. Click on image to read more.

Have you seen those refreshingly beautiful photos on blogs and Instagram and wondered how to create an equally stunning background for blog photos? Yeah, me too!

 

 

I searched high and low and became convinced that I needed to paint my apartment or switch to an upgraded rental with marble kitchen countertops in order to achieve a clean background for blog and Instagram photos.

 

 

I desperately wanted to improve my still-life photography skills. But I couldn’t figure out how to create a killer backdrop for my blog and Instagram. Then, one Instagrammer caught my attention. She, like many others, had the perfect background for all the still-life images she shared. Too scared to ask, I tried recreating it and failed woefully.

 

 

Frustrated, I decided to ask since I had nothing to lose. If you’ve been in the fashion or blogging scene long enough, you know that many people do not willfully divulge such information.

 

 

I put on my big girl pants and sent Jess (@stylizedluxe) and another girl a DM on Instagram not expecting a reply. To my surprise, Jess replied back and she told me what she uses. Her secret?

 

A foam board.

 

Really? A poster board for photo background? She used this foam board:

At a loss on how to create a clean background for blog photos? You're in luck! Today, I'll learn 6 quick and easy ways to recreate these backgrounds for free or under $30!

 

To create this beautiful image:

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Jessica Cai (@stylizedluxe) on

Here’s an example of my result using a foam board!

 

This post will help you take away the guess work about how to create a killer photo backdrop so your images can stand out on your blog, or Instagram.

 

HOW TO CREATE A N APPEALING BACGROUND FOR BLOG PHOTOS AND INSTAGRAM POSTS

 

1. FOAM BOARD

Ever wondered how to create a killer backdrop for your blog or Instagram images? Here are 6 easy backdrop ideas that you can implement at an inexpensive price. Click for details.
Beauty products on a foam board

Foam boards are one of the easiest ways to create a clean background and photo backdrop for your images. Shortly after thank @stylizedluxe for the tip, I checked several craft stores before finding foam boards at Michael’s for less than $9 (You can save up to 50% with coupons here).

 

I made a quick run to Michael’s last weekend and found out that they now carry a two-sided foam board. One side is holographic and the other side is plain white!

 

The one I use is white on both sides (also available in black). I use one for for my flat lay photos I share on IG and on the blog as pictured. You’ll need two if you want to snap photos of product with a foreground.

 

For my brand, I prefer to use a white background. If you prefer to use a color that matches your brand, website, or Instagram feed, you can get this set of 10 foam boards from Amazon that is available in 17 different colors.

Foam boards and trifolds for image backgrond

 

[su_note note_color=”#FFCC00″ text_color=”#000000″]HINT: Buying in bulk is cheaper than buying individual colors from Michael’s. The foam board measures 20 X 30 X 3/16 inches which is great for small items. An alternative is to use atrifold craft board although they cost a little bit more. As someone who planned to take photos of complete outfit, I needed something larger and found a foam roll.[/su_note]

 

2. FOAM ROLL

Foam roll used as a backdrop for outfit flat lay

 

Foam roll is similar to foam board but a foam roll is thinner and more pliable. I use a foam roll for all my outfit flat lay because it is large and can easily be propped on to something (usually my couch or bed) to create a seamless photo backdrop compared to propping two foam boards together. Because of how soft it is, I was able to pin it up to conceal my brown wall in the photo below.

 

Ever wondered how to create a killer backdrop for your blog or Instagram images? Here are 6 easy backdrop ideas that you can implement at an inexpensive price. Click for details,
Taken with white foam roll pinned to wall as a backdrop

 

“Wow! I ❤️  these 6 killer ways to create Instagram-worthy photos! Can’t wait to try some of these backdrop ideas. https://bit.ly/1UDh0sZ [Click to Tweet]

 

 

Foam roll as background for Instagram photos
A selection of shoes taken on a foam roll

This foam roll measures 36 X 60 inches and has ample room for complete outfits flat lays (or shoefies). Also available at Michael’s and Amazon for less than $10 and comes in white or black.

 

P.S: The roll is delicate so you have to be careful not to puncture holes into it. If you have a room or special area dedicated to photography, you can go all out and get a muslin backdrop background ($15 – $35).

 

Foam roll available at Michael's in white and black color

Set it up and forget about it! Depending on how large you go, you can even shoot larger objects and humans. Muslin is the same thing used in professional indoor photo studio.

 

3. VINYL CONTACT PAPER/SHEET

Vinyl sheet as a backdrop for beauty products(PHOTO SOURCE)

 

Vinyl backdrops are a favorite for beauty vloggers and bloggers because it creates the illusion of a marble countertop. I personally haven’t used this yet but images created with marble vinyl backdrops are stunning and add a touch of elegance to the photo.

 

You can easily purchase a vinyl adhesive sheet or contact paper from Amazon and many more from Etsy sellers. Vinyl adhesive sheets come in a variety colors and styles (wood, marble, tiles…).

 

[RELATED POST: How to Get Free Professional Photos of Yourself]

 

4. DIY WOOD PHOTO BACKGROUND

If you enjoy making stuff from scratch, you can custom make your own backdrop. All you need are two pieces of wood (plywood is fairly lightweight) and paint (try acrylic) that you can get from Lowes or Home Depot.

 

Paint one side a major color that you plan to use often (for me it’ll be white). The second side of the wood you can split into two or three colors. This example from Melyssa measures 2.5 X 2.5 feet and cost her about $25.

 

DIY painted wood surface as a photo backdrop for product image(PHOTO SOURCE)

The fun part about it is that you get to choose the color you want and two pieces of wood can serve multiple purposes with a limitless color variation to meet your needs. Let’s not forget how durable it is compared to a foam board.

 

The only downside is that if you like to take complete outfit flat lay then you’ll need a bigger size of wood. Also finding where to store it may be a problem for those (like me) that live in a shoe box, literally.

 

5. CARDBOARD OR FELT

Ever wondered how to create a killer backdrop for your blog or Instagram images? Here are 6 easy backdrop ideas that you can implement at an inexpensive price. Click for details,
Taken on a piece of white cardboard

 

I was out of town on vacation and bought some pretty cute shoes. I decided to share the shoes on Instagram. I had neither my foam board nor my foam roll with me so I needed an alternative. I dashed to the nearest dollar store and bought cardboard.

 

I was unsure if it would work but the pictures turned out great. Cardboards can be a little flimsy but if you don’t have to do complex manipulations (like propping it up) you should be fine. Cardboards come in a plethora of colors too!

 

Ever wondered how to create a killer backdrop for your blog or Instagram images? Here are 6 easy backdrop ideas that you can implement at an inexpensive price. Click for details,

I love to try out new ways of doing things. After the experience of not having a portable foam roll/board with me, I went back to Michael’s to peruse through their selection of crafts. I came across felt fabric.

 

I wanted it in white but grey was the closest color I could find and measures 36 X 36 inches. I found some more colors when I went back recently. The only caution with felt is that it gets crease along the folds.

 

How I get rid of the crease is by ironing it underneath another fabric. P.S: If you want a bigger size, try this.

 

6. TEXTURED FABRIC

Ever wondered how to create a killer backdrop for your blog or Instagram images? Here are 6 easy backdrop ideas that you can implement at an inexpensive price. Click for details,Taken on my black rug

 

Textured fabric is another method I have used to create a cool background or photo backdrop for my photos. I used my faux fur rug for the longest time and when it finally gave up, I switched to my black patterned rug.

 

The faux fur adds a unique texture to the image instead of the classic plain white background. I am considering getting this faux fur rug for less than $30 as a replacement.

 

You can also use fabrics with design like a scarf, a towel, a pattern rug, or a tablecloth… the options are endless and the best part is that you have many of these in your living space.

 

Ever wondered how to create a killer backdrop for your blog or Instagram images? Here are 6 easy backdrop ideas that you can implement at an inexpensive price. Click for details,
Taken on a faux fur rug

 

PHOTOGRAPHY TIP: Tip if you live in a basement (I know the struggles) or in a place with minimal lighting, you should consider getting a softbox light (and a reflector). Optimal lighting is essential to getting the best images.

 

To solve this problem, I got this set of two softbox light from Amazon and used it for most of the photos above. You can also DIY one to but Lord knows that that’s outside my league. Still need more photo background ideas? Check out this YouTube video:

 

 

I hope you found this post about how to creat great backdrop for blog photos helpful.

 

How do you create awesome background for your blog or Instagram photos? If you found this helpful, don’t forget to subscribe below for great blogging tips like this one.


 

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136 thoughts on “6 Easy Ways to Create a Stunning Background for Blog Photos [Updated]”

  5. Nikki-ann

    An excellent post with some very useful tips! I've got a roll of sticky backed paper which has a nice white wood effect, but I'm looking for some other backgrounds too.

    Reply
    1. Louisa

      Oh that's an awesome idea. Aren't they thin? They may wrinkle easily but if it's a big roll then we can always use a fresh sheet on the next shoot 😀 Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
  15. Winter

    I actually thought all the photos were taken with white boxes and have been begging my husband to make me one. I LOVE the idea of the white board much better. Thank you for sharing your inspiration!

    Reply
  20. Marty Rogers

    Amazing ideas for backdrop. Thank you for the share. They are definitely high contrast to your images and you need to be specific with the colours.

    Reply
  21. Kara at Fit Chick Nextdoor

    oh my gosh! This is so unbelievably helpful! I had the worst pictures when I started blogging and just recently bought marble tile slabs at a local home depot… they changed my Instagram game but I LOVE all of these tips. Pinning! 🙂

    Reply
  23. Jasmine

    This is super creative. I love it. I've purchased marble floor tiles from Home Depot for $2 and that's what I use to take pictures on them. I would love to add more colors to my instagram feed. So I think I need to do the painted wood.

    Reply
  25. Laura Cronin

    This is a great idea! I need to hit up Michael's and get a couple of boards for Instagram backgrounds!

    Laura | Laura Aime Vous

    Reply
  27. Miss Angie

    These are really fantastic ideas! I did the marble contact paper and I LOVE it, such a genius way to make your photos so much better for so little cost.

    Reply
  28. Ashley Lee

    I love all these different ideas! Right now I use a white poster board if anything at all. I need to switch it up a bit!

    Reply
  30. Hannah Stein

    Wow this was so helpful!! I've been having the same struggles with my own backgrounds in photos and I'd always wondered how others got such perfect ones. I never would have guessed foam boards– but that's a fantastic and affordable way. Thanks so much for sharing this!!

    Reply
  35. Victoria with One Sharp Mama Blog

    Thanks for sharing this. I’ve always wondered but have never been brace enough to ask

    Reply
  42. Prerna Garg

    These are some wonderful ideas to get beautiful pictures for a blog. I use foam roll – a black and a white because they do not have a size restriction 🙂

    Reply
  43. Amanda

    Thanks for these helpful tips! I’ve started to use foam boards, and have been looking for rolls of contact paper or similar for bigger things. Such great suggestions (and I really appreciate you showing what they look like in store, too)!

    Reply
  44. Alex Snider

    These are great ideas! I use the foam board and a vinyl backdrop. I’m going to have to try some of these other ideas!

    Reply
  46. Karyl | Karyl's Kulinary Krusade

    This is so timely…I just spent an hour browsing through the flooring section of Lowes last night! I bought a couple of ceramic tiles, and a few vinyl tiles to play around with. I have some pieces of foam board that I use to bounce light as well. I haven’t gone the Amazon or Etsy route yet, but I definitely will take a look online

    Reply
  50. Torri Brumbaugh

    I love finding new photography tips! What do you use for lighting? I love DIY photo backdrops, but I feel like I can never get the lighting right.

    Reply
  51. Valentia

    Thanks so much Louisa. I’ve been taking my photos on my bedspread which
    didn’t look so professional. I didnt know what to try until I saw your pin on
    Pinterest and clicked through. Very, very helpful!

    Reply
  53. Tomi C

    GREAT tips! I have a few go to backdrops that I use but that marble contact paper is new to me and I will definitely have to find some and use it.

    I have a marble slab I bought at a home furnishing store and I use it for most of my recipe posts

    Reply
    1. Louisa

      Marble contact paper makes it super easy to achieve a clean background for photos for sure. And it makes total sense to use a marble slab for food shots in case of any spills that happen during the shot.

      Reply
  60. Kathy

    These are all such great ideas. I’ve been meaning to pick up some of these items for backgrounds myself. I love the overall look of a white background. I think everything stands out nicely.

    Reply
    1. Louisa

      Me too, Heather! I placed a marble contact paper on one side of a foam board so I can alternative between marble and plain white backdrop #genius haha

      Reply
  64. Heather

    Great tips! I go to Hobby Lobby for my background stuff, especially for surfaces. It’s so easy to find marble looking paper. 😉 Or that outdoor rusty wooden table look for your recipes. No need to upgrade at all. 😉

    Reply
  71. Sandy

    Hi Louisa,

    Great tips on creating backdrops! Love how you provide lots of examples and tips on how to recreate them. This is such a creative post and it shows how we can be creative with using the items we have in our home. Very inspiring and will be looking to create some of these backdrops.

    Thank you!

    Sandy | Beauty, Bliss and Chaos

    Reply
  73. Chris

    The colourful board idea seems so obvious but yet i have never thought of it. I’m going to try that as soon as I get chance to go to the craft store with the current virus situation. Many thanks for the time you took to create the suggestions.

    Reply

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