I am loving the warmer weather and beautiful light for taking pictures this spring. It’s always a challenge to photograph one of my children, trying to coordinate their mood with available time, perfect lighting, cooperating weather, and a great location. Spring weather definitely works better than winter weather! However, it’s not always possible (rarely, actually) to get the pictures I need at exactly 1.5 hours before sunset outside with the right backdrop. My main living area has direct light coming in from the west all afternoon and evening. It’s my favorite place to be and it provides great lighting for a longer period of time than if I’m trying to take pictures outside. BUT, I don’t have any empty walls where the kids can stand and pose. I have been contemplating various solutions and have a few ideas for DIY backdrops. Today I thought I’d show how I made a backdrop for several of my recent photo shoots. It is so simple!
I picked up a cheap clothing rack from Home Depot – just $17 – to use for hanging the baby layette at my cousin’s shower last fall. I was able to come up with a more decor friendly solution for the shower, but I held on to this rack for experimenting. I spent some time looking at vinyl backdrops online, but they are pretty pricey and they all looked so nice, I couldn’t decide on just one that I’d use forever. I like the idea of being able to switch out the backdrop and have some variety. Then I looked at my stash of fabric.
With a couple yards of fabric and two clamps out of the garage, I just clamped up the fabric that I want in the background and I have an instant backdrop behind the girls. So simple! And then you can change out your background however you want. Use a sheet, use a curtain panel, use a fun quilting cotton design. Since the clothes rack can be expanded about 5 feet wide and 6 feet high, it really gives you quite a bit of space to work with. You can also drape your fabric out on the floor in front of the clothes rack if you wanted your subject to stand on the fabric, too. And you can snap your pictures no matter what the space looks like around/behind the backdrop. Here are a couple recent pictures I took with my instant fabric photo backdrop:
Then, there are days like Monday when the weather and the kiddo did cooperate and the perfect backdrop was waiting just outside. Head over to Alida Makes today to hear all about Grace’s photo shoot and her new skirt I made for the Calling All Kids series. Go here!
I’m also over at Project Run and Play today answering a few questions for the designer introduction interviews. Fun!! Come say hi!
Comments & Reviews
Hairstyles says
Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive read anything like this before. So nice to search out someone with some unique thoughts on this subject.
Laurie says
I LOVE this! I need to create an inexpensive backdrop for my party and this looks like what I need. Thanks!
Erlinda Lopez says
I am so happy I found your post. I have been using a clothes rack for sometime now, but was struggling with the backdrop. You have given me the solution to my problem. Now to find the clamps. Thank you so much.
Krystal says
Great idea! Thanks for sharing!
Liz says
I love that damask fabric you used. Do you happen to remember brand / name of it?
girlinspired says
Hi Liz, I just checked the selvage and it has no label, BUT I think I actually got it from Jo-Ann in their quilting cottons section, so it might just be a Jo-Ann brand. It’s a nice cotton. I love it, too!
Constance Owens says
Hello, i love the idea of your backdrop stand. I am looking for creative ways to set up backdrops for a startup photography business. I like the idea of one on wheels. I have looked at traditional stands and have not been sure that is what i want to do 1) they are expensive and 2) the supports for the legs are usually teipod style and take up room around the shoot site not to mention tripping over them. I have wished they come with wheels instead. Could you send me something showing me how you made it? The only drawback i can see is the heighth is not adjustable. However, that might not matter in the long run. Wondering how easily it comes apart in case i want to travel to photo shoot sites.
girlinspired says
Hi Constance, I purchased the coat rack from Home Depot and then just used big clamps to drape it with a piece of fabric. The height and width are adjustable a little bit and it would easily condense to slide into a vehicle for transport. Hope that helps!
Dee says
I love your back drop hanger!!! I built one out of pvc and it is to bulky. I use flat sheets for my back drops. Lots of choices there.
Amy N says
I love the blue pleated skirt but can’t find it on the other blog. Do you have a link, please?
Thank you!
girlinspired says
Hey Amy, I updated the post with the specific url over at Alida Makes. It should take you straight there! Thanks!
Amy N says
Thank you!
zieana85 says
Never thinking of this idea. Awesome!!!