I made similar posts for Winter and Spring. Now that Summer is upon us, it’s time to make a list of Bookstagram props that are perfect for this season.

Lots of Bookstagrammers like to change up their feeds to fall. From cozy to spooky decorations, there’s so many props you can add to your photos while also making your feed yours.

Here are some ideas to help you transition your feed for the new season.

Clothing

Sweaters, neutral colors, boots, shoes, and more are perfect for this time of year. After all, “sweater weather” is here.

Sweaters

I like to use sweaters in a similar way that I would blankets. They make nice additions to a backdrop and wrapping the sleeves around other objects looks nice as well.

Boots

If you like to include outfits or shoes in your photos, try incorporating a pair of boots or booties.

Jackets

These can work similarly to sweaters – they add quite a bit to your background! This goes for cardigans and other layers as well.

Scarves

Again, I like to use scarves in a similar way that I would with blankets. The fabric adds more to the background, and larger scarves can be unraveled to spread them out more.

Socks

They’re a cozy reading staple that you can integrate with your pictures, especially if you’re staging a reading scene wearing them!

Around the House

The easiest (and most inexpensive) way to find Bookstagram props is to look around your house! Chances are you may already have a few things that can also be used as great props.

Fake Flowers

They’re a year-round staple for many Bookstagrammers, and if you don’t have any yourself, you can usually get bunches for as little as less than a dollar each. You can opt for brighter colors and take advantage of the bright green in the leaves as easy decorations for your pictures. You can never go wrong with flowers!

Indoor Plants and Flowers

They’re a year-round staple for sure! While I’m working on warmer tones in my feed this time of year, I still like to use the black and white flowers I already have. I also have a lot of purple flowers in my house, which will be great for -spooky season-.

Candles

Candles are so lovely and cozy for this time of year! I’ve been including a few in my pictures year-round but starting to add even more now. Although I’m a clumsy person, so I either don’t light them or put a battery-operated votive on top instead (which work well as props on their own).

Candle holders/sticks are a really cool addition as well! And they might be something that you aready own.

Pillows

I use pillows year-round, but this is an especially cozy fall and winter prop to use with Bookstagram pictures.

Blankets

Blankets make for a wonderful cozy addition to your photos. They can also be used as a backdrop, or layered with sweaters, pillows, and/or other blankets.

String Lights

String lights are good year round – but they’re very cozy for this time of year!

Schoolwork/Study Materials

It is back to school season, and this works especially well if your feed also includes dark academia, studygram pictures, or journals. 

Lanterns

This might be an indoor and outdoor thing, but if you have those indoor decorative lanterns, try using them in your pictures too! I think these would work especially well for around Halloween too.

Fall/Halloween/Holiday Decor

I feel like it’s more common to have decor for fall and Halloween than other seasons and holidays. So if you have anything in your house already, you can absolutely reuse these with your pictures! If not, craft stores and thrift stores especially have inexpensive fall decor.

Here are some decor items that you might have / want to reuse / get:

• Fall leaves / garland
• Pumpkins / jack-o-lanterns
• Wreaths
• Signs
• Baskets
• Wood items

Also, I don’t know what it’s called, but the filler that you put in vases? There are autumnal-themed ones that include things like pinecones and other nature-themed items. These would work as great filler for pictures.

Food

I don’t know about you, but this time of year I love to start baking more. With all of the holidays coming up it’s also an optimal time to break out the family recipe book and recreate those special recipes. I’m personally not dedicated enough to bake a pie to share on Bookstagram, but if you’re already making something, why not include it in your pictures? I love seeing everybody’s creations alongside their current, recent, and anticipated reads. Here are some ideas:

Coffee/Tea/Hot Chocolate

A warm cup of coffee, hot chocolate, or tea definitely adds to the cozy vibes! I’ve been drinking tea a lot lately, so it makes for an easy prop to include alongside everything else.

If you’re setting this up, marshmallows, bags of tea, tea towels, and other accessories would make great additional props. 

Alternatively, empty teacups and coffee mugs make great props on your own. Reduces the chance of spilling something and causing a Bookstagram disaster as well!

Pumpkins

It’s beginning to be a tradition in this house where we go pick apples and pumpkins and visit some farmstands. If you do the same, be sure to include them in your pictures as well! Especially if you like to get baby pumpkins. I love baby pumpkins. 🖤

Baked Goods

Every now and then I see a whole pie used as a prop on Instagram and I’m thoroughly impressed by the dedication! (Also because the pies I make don’t look as appetizing.) But if you’re baking something, whether it be some orange cranberry muffins or a plate of ginger snaps, show off your creations as well! I just bought some spooky cookie cutters and plan to bake more, so I definitely want to start sharing my creations in my pictures as well.

The Great Outdoors

It depends on where you live, but there might be a ton of things outside that you can use as free props. And if the leaves are changing colors, this can make for a really pretty backdrop as well.

Pine Cones / Needles

We have a huge pine tree in our yard, and it drops pine cones EVERYWHERE. And when I say everywhere, I mean it takes hours to pick them all up. So you bet I use some of them for pictures! (Just be careful – they’re sticky!) If you don’t have any in your area, craft stores and Etsy sellers usually sell them and they tend to be inexpensive.

Leaves

Leaves are also abundant, so as they’re falling I love to take them and use them for pictures.

Rocks

I’ve said this three times before and I’ll say it again – rocks make for great filler!

Trees

As the leaves are turning color, this makes for the perfect opportunity to take your pictures outside.

Other Tips

Change Your Filter

If you don’t want to change the props you’re using, consider changing the filter you use. You’ll still be able to use the same props, but at the same time get different results.

Alternatively, Don’t Change Your Filter – Change Your Props

I personally have a cooler-toned theme going, which tends to clash with the warm colors of autumn. So I’m using different props now, but keeping my filter and backdrops the same to help retain my theme with a seasonal twist.

Emphasize Certain Colors Over Others

If your theme consists of multiple colors, try emphasizing the one(s) that are better associated with autumn.

Lighting, Lighting, Lighting

While good lighting is always helpful, getting more natural light in your photos and taking outdoor photos will help quite a bit with your photos. Keep this in mind if the days are getting shorter where you live!

Create stories and scenes.

There’s lots of lovely fall scenery to take advantage of this time of year, so why not include it in your pictures? If you plan on hiking in a wooded area, it’s the perfect opportunity to use nature as a backdrop. Or if you’re spending the day in, you can use things like your laptop, a cup of tea, and an open book to show how you’re spending the day. Don’t be afraid to leave your comfort zone if you don’t usually take pictures like these! They’re fun to try and you’ll end up with some really unique pictures.

I hope this helped inspire you take some new pictures for fall! This time of year is my favorite for taking pictures because I tend to use props that I don’t usually include for other times of year. Do you change up your pictures for the seasons? Let me know your handle so I can take a look!

-Julie Anna