A couple months back, I posted a list of props that are great for Bookstagram posts in Winter. Now that Spring is here, I wanted to continue these posts with some ideas for props and backdrops for Spring. Especially with being unable to go to the shops now, many of these props might be things you can already find in your home. So if you like to change up your theming or pictures by season, here’s some inspiration for you.
Clothing
As you’re beginning to phase out the winter boots and heavy coats, consider using your Spring staples as props. Here are some things you can use:
Floral Fabrics
Any floral blouses, dresses, or anything in your closet that you have will be perfect for Spring.
Pastel Fabrics
Pastel fabrics also make for some great texture and background for your pictures. You could also combine these with floral fabrics to make your picures even brigther. And even though Winter is over, feel free to still use sweaters! It’s not Summer yet after all, and sweaters always add a layer of coziness to photos.
Ballet Flats
During this time of year you’ll see a lot more people swapping out their boots for a comfortable pair of flats. You can stage a picture at your doorway or you can include the shoes with a multitude of other props for a cluttered yet pretty theme.
Sneakers
Boots are being swapped for sneakers this time of year, too! And since there’s so many types of sneakers out there you can really showcase your style in these pictures as well.
Jewelry
Jewelry always looks nice spread over pages or in the background. I haven’t been adding jewelry to my pictures lately (I tend not to wear jewelry during Winter anyway) but with Spring here and Summer coming up I think I will be reintroducing necklaces as props.
Scarves
Just because it’s Spring, doesn’t mean it’s not too warm for a scarf! That also doesn’t mean it’s not too late to add them to your pictures. In your area it might be too warm for a chunky-knit scarf, but scarves in lighter materials can make good props for the transition out of Winter.
Hair Accessories
I’ve noticed lately that older hair trends like butterfly clips are trendy again! So are hair clips and accessories in general. If you have any of these or other accessories or headbands or bows, they can make nice additions to your picture, big or small.
Denim Jackets
Denim jackets are a Spring staple. Use one of your own (and perhaps mixed with the other clothes/accessories above) to pull your pictures into Spring.
Around the House
If you’re reading this in 2020 when it was posted, you’re probably not able to leave the house now, and therefore you’ll need to make do with what you have. So let’s take a look around the house – every time I do this I find something new that I can weave into my pictures somehow.
Fake Flowers
If you have them, use them! Fake flowers seem to be a staple for Bookstagram year-round but they’re especially great for Spring. You probably have some around the house. (And if you’re reading this at a time that you’re able to go to stores and acquire them, craft stores usually have flowers you can get for about a dollar each.) Before going into isolation I grabbed a variety of them from the craft store just for a few dollars!
Easter Decorations
If you have Easter decorations at home, there are so many possibilities for props. From floral wreaths to plastic eggs, there are so many ways to add Spring vibes to your photos.
Dyed Eggs
If you’re dying some eggs, may as well use them for your photos, too!
Indoor Plants and Flowers
Now’s the time of year where we’re planting more (and likely starting them indoors if it’s still cold). If this is you, you can use your plants as props – put your book in the center and surround it with plants for a more natural setting.
Candles
Candles are also still great for the season! Especially if you have any lighter-colored candles or wax melts, they’ll always fit right into your photos.
Stationery
As a person who loves to journal and collect stationery, I feel like so much of it is based around pastel colors. If you’re like me, you can fit these into your pictures as well. (And if you like to journal as well, feature one of your spreads as part of your picture, too!)
String Lights
String lights are good year round – but I especially like the tinier ones wrapped around flowers for Spring.
The Great Outdoors
Now that everything is in bloom, why not take advantage when planning your Bookstagram posts? If you don’t usually take pictures outside or need some inspiration, here’s some ideas.
Outdoor Flowers
This time of year, many trees are blooming – but only for a short time! When the flowers fall, you can scatter them across the pages. Right now my cherry tree is in bloom and I’m looking forward to using some pink flowers in my pictures.
Grass
Yeah, grass! The grass is growing and looks so green and bright again. You can also add a tablecloth and stage a picnic – or have a real picnic and take a picture then!
Sidewalk Chalk
With all of the kids at home, I see much more chalk art on the sidewalk and on driveways. With the combination of your own artwork and other props this could make for a really unique picture!
Rocks
Yes, I said it. Rocks! I said this in my last props post as well, but they really can fill in the space. I have some multi-colored rocks that I’ve been using in my pictures lately and I really like how they’re turning out!
Trees
The trees are only in bloom for such a short time, so take advantage! I love pictures that nestle books inbetween the branches.
In the Garden
Similar to laying books on the grass, if you have a garden path with stepping stones, you could lay a book (or many books) on one of the stones, and let your garden prettify your pictures for you.
Outdoor Furniture
Now that it’s getting warmer, are you excited about being able to read outside again? A perfect place for your book pictures might be on your porch then. Rest a book on the table with some iced tea, sunglasses, and other outdoor essentials around it. Or your can rest the book on your deck and put some outdoor items around that. If you have outdoor seating, rest the book on that and surround it with some cushions.
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.
Emphasize Certain Colors Over Others
My theme is primarily gray and pink. While I emphasized more grays over the Winter, I’m going to add more pops of pink this Spring. If your theme consists of a couple of different colors, there’s probably one that screams “Spring” at least a bit more over the other.
Lighting, Lighting, Lighting
While good lighting is always helpful, getting more natural light in your photos and taking outdoor photos will help transition your photos this season. While I always try to get natural lighting, in Winter that wasn’t always possible no matter how close to the window I got. But this season, there’s more odds for brighter, longer days, so take advantage!
That’s all of my suggestions for Spring. Do you like to change up your spreads each season, or do you keep to one theme year-round? Let me know! 🖤
