Fall-Themed Photo Props (15 unique ideas)

Fall is finally here!  This is my absolute favorite time of the year: cooler weather, multicolored leaves, hot cups of coffee, throw blankets and…. Fall themed mini sessions and photo booths! This calls for some fall-themed photo props.

Fall brings with it a lot of different festivals around the country.  A popular event at any fair or festival is the photo booth.  Whether it is couples taking selfies or moms lining up their children for a sibling shot, photo booths draw a crowd.  Having a fun, fall centered photo booth will have people showing off their photos for months to come. 

With fall, there are so many setup options it can be overwhelming. I have compiled a list of 15 different props that can be used for your fall photo sessions.  While these ideas are mainly geared towards photo booths and mini sessions, they can also be used for fashion and product photography.  That is the beauty of photography props: They can be versatile and fun for so many types of shoots!

Here is a list of 15 fall-themed photo props to help inspire your next photo scene setup:

1. Hay Bales
2. Cloth Banners
3. Apples
4. Wooden Crate
5. Blankets
6. Lantern
7. Scarecrow
8. Leaves
9. Buckets
10. Windmills
11. Pumpkins
12. Coffee cups
13. Burlap anything
14. Old truck or car
15. Candles

If you would like more in-depth discussions on each of these items, please keep reading!

Hay Bales

Hay bales are a fun addition to outdoor photo shoots.  You can use them indoors, but things can start to get messy.  They not only add a fall element to your shoot, but you can have people sit on them for different poses. Be warned – hay bales are heavy!  If you are going to use one, make sure to have a dolly to lug it around with.  Look for hay bales at farming supply stores.

Cloth Banners

Due to it’s versatility, cloth banners are actually popular year round for mini sessions.  Choose fall colors such as brown and orange to make you banner work with a fall setup.  Consider also using some burlap material to really give it a fall look!

Apples

Tis the season for delicious red and green apples!  Have a couple on hand for props.  Make sure you get a few extra just in case one of the subjects starts eating it. 😊

Wooden Crate

A wooden crate gives you options.  You can put other fall props inside of it (like apples or pumpkins) or you can fill it with blankets for a newborn to lay in.  You can find wooden crates at most craft stores.  If you find one at a craft store, you also have the option to decorate or paint the crate specifically for your photo scene.  Try staining it to give it a weathered look.  Or use stencils to make a “farm name” on the side of the crate.  Just be sure to sand down any rough edges before using it with children! 

Blankets

Blankets can be great for wrapping around your subjects, or laying down on the ground for them to sit on.  If there is a large family, make sure the blanket is fairly large, or consider having several blankets spread out over the area.  Or if you are wanting to draw focus to the blanket, try using something with a plaid design.  If you don’t want too much attention on the blanket, go with more subdued colors. 

Lantern

The nice thing about the lantern is that you can use it for several types of shoots: Fall, Halloween, Christmas, and more!  So, if you invest in a lantern for a prop, you have the opportunity to use it over and over again.  To give it a more realistic feel, you can put in an electric candle inside the lantern.

Scarecrow

For this prop, you can try making your own or purchase one from a craft store.  You can make a small one that is mixed in with other props, or you can make a full sized one to have in the background.  If you make a full sized one, plan out your location ahead of time.  If the shoot is outside and you are able to stick it in the ground, that is great!  Otherwise consider putting it on a stand so it doesn’t fall over.

Leaves

Fun and free!  A lot of people love using leaves in their fall photo shoots.  Consider some fun poses with fall leaves.  For more ideas on using fall leaves as photo props, please see my post 8 Ways to use Fall Leaves in your pictures.

Buckets

Either metal or wooden buckets would be a great addition to a fall photo shoot.  You can leave it empty, or fill it with something like mini pumpkins or apples.

Windmills

This one can be a bit trickier.  You can find tall ornamental windmills online for a couple hundred dollars.  Or you may have a friend who already has a windmill. Maybe if you ask nicely you can borrow it for your shoot.  You can also try finding a small old-fashioned windmill at a second hand or craft store.  Either way, a windmill would add a unique element to your photo scene! 

Pumpkins

Pumpkins are a great prop for fall!  You can leave them plain, bedazzle them, or carve them up if your photo shoot is more geared towards Halloween. 

Coffee Cups

Ah, sweet coffee!  Who doesn’t love a warm beverage during the chill fall months?  And you don’t have to limit yourself to coffee: Apple cider, tea, and hot coco make great options as well.  If you are taking your photos outside on a chilly day, the steam from the cup can add another nice element to your photos. 

Burlap anything

When it comes to crafting, burlap is a favorite!  Bows, bags, wreaths, and banners are just some of the fall-themed photo props you can make with burlap.  For fall, burlap and leaves can be combined to create a prop that is unique to fall.  Also consider making a burlap wreath or banner that has interchangeable embellishments.  This way you can use the wreath for any season!

Old truck or car

I only recommend this one if you already own an old truck or car.  Might be hard to justify spending that kind of money on a prop for just one photo session!  However, if you do own one (or know someone who would lend you one) this can make for some special photos. 

If the car isn’t in the best of shape, it will just add to the charm of the photos.  You can consider putting a seasonal wreath on the front of the car.  Not only does this add to photo, it covers up the license plate (save you all that time of editing it out in post production!).

You also don’t need to get a full sized, real car either.  You can find a toy car that can serve as a prop for children to hold.  Or it can set along side another item in a product photography shoot.  Use your imagination!

Candles

If you use candles, I recommend using the electric variety.  This way you can avoid any unfortunate incidents with real flames.  And then if little clients want to hold them, it won’t be an issue either.   

Recap

There are so many options when it comes to photography!  This is why it is such an amazing art form.  Props can help you realize your artistic vision for a scene, especially one that is focused on the season at hand.   

A recap of the different fall-themed photo props (in case you like lists like me):

1. Hay Bales
2. Cloth Banners
3. Apples
4. Wooden Crate
5. Blankets
6. Lantern
7. Scarecrow
8. Leaves
9. Buckets
10. Windmills
11. Pumpkins
12. Coffee cups
13. Burlap anything
14. Old truck
15. Candles

If you enjoyed this article, please consider checking out some of my other articles on photography:

How to take milestone photos (12 tips that work)

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