DIY Photo Backdrops

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I shopped around for photo backdrops. there were so many choices and after looking at them for so long they started to look the same and I thought they were pricey. The frugal gal in me decided to make my own. For 4 backdrops it cost me $16.52! I purchased a 4′ X 12′ Vintage Wood Photography Paper Backdrop then I made 4 backdrops out of it, how? Here’s how…………..

 

Photo Backdrops

 

 

The backdrop I ordered was so too big so I decided to cut them into smaller back drops. They were throwing foam poster boards away at my husband’s work (they were will brand new in the wrapping). We cut the 4′ X 12′ pieces into 40 X 30 portions and glue them onto the foam poster boards. 

 

Materials:

Photo Backdrop Paper, I ordered mine from Amazon 4′ X 12′ (this paper is thicker than regular paper)

Sturdy Foam Foam Poster Boards

Rotary Cutter or Really good scissors

Cutting Matt or a hard surface that you do not mind getting cut up

Glue sticks

 

My husband and I unrolled the large backdrop out and cut a piece to 4 X 6. Then we cut that into two 20 X 30 pieces. The foam board we have is white on one side and gray on the other. I decided I didn’t need the gray side so that is the side we covered the paper backdrop over. Gluing the foam board and then placing the paper backdrop over it and smoothing it out to release any air bubbles. My husband used his spatula scraper but you can use your hands gently to smooth them out. 

 

DIY photo backdrop

So now I have two reversible photo backdrops. Two of them white on one side and two vintage wooden. Not only that but I do have a large amount of the originally backdrop paper left that I can use at a later time if what I my boards get damaged or if I need a larger backdrop.  I have them stored in a safe place away from my children so it doesn’t get ruined. So using everything I already had and just purchasing the photo backdrop paper I spend less than $17.00!  If you decided to do this make sure that the paper design you use is thick and durable. 

DIY Photo Backdrop

 

What are your DIY photo backdrops? Share by leaving a comment below. 

 

 
 
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Comments

  1. I like your brain Nicole! Great job!

  2. That’s very cool, thanks 🙂

  3. Love this idea, Nicole. I have got to try this. I need a background so badly!

  4. Very pretty! I struggle for good backgrounds when I can’t take my pics outside so this is a great idea. Thanks!

  5. Love your thinking on this. Awesome idea.

  6. Oh that is a great idea. I usually just lay down a towel or something, but I like yours a lot better.

  7. I had never thought of that. I need to try this because I really want to improve my photos. A good backdrop would do wonders.

  8. This is an awesome idea! I’ve been wanting to do some photos with my daughter but it’s winter (and I am SO over snow pictures) and I don’t want to invest in backdrops.

  9. I ran across this yesterday and had to come back. This is such a simple idea. I love. it.

  10. Awesome! I have a couple huge rolls, I need to do something like this with them. Thanks for the super idea!!

  11. What a great idea. I like what you did with it, now you don’t have to worry about ruining. it. I have some of those but they are just rolled up in my bed. Great job.

  12. great idea!! we’re actually just building a pvc backdrop frame so i can do full size backdrops. but for normal people this is much simpler LOL

  13. That is such a cool idea. I need to make some backdrops and get some props too. Love this!

  14. This is a really handy idea. I bought mine and spent way too much 🙁

  15. I’m soooo going to do this! What an awesome idea! THANKS!
    Kas

  16. now i want to go find some foam poster board!! i have a few fun papers that aren’t photo backdrops that would be fun for this

  17. That is so cool! Thanks for sharing!

  18. Oh this is great! Usually I get white poster board, but I love the wood look!

  19. Easy enough and much cheaper than the ones I’ve purchased online. Thanks for the tutorial.

  20. Great ideas! We have a good friend who is just started her own photo biz and she could use some of these creative ideas! I am sending this her way!

  21. What an awesome idea to use the foam board. I need to try this.

  22. I have a few photography backdrops, but the cost has prevented me from buying more. I absolutely love this idea!

  23. Wow, you have a gift. Backdrops are so foreign to me, I wish that I was good at that kind of stuff.

  24. That is such a simple way to make a background and so pretty too!

  25. Fantastic idea. I need to make these. The premade ones are so expensive!

  26. Great idea!! I know they have some that are more vinyl too which is nice to have so they wipe off vs. get ruined if they get spilled on. I learned that the hard way lol, I bought just basic scrapbook paper, I want to invest in something like this!!

  27. I do photos all the time for my blog and have never even thought about switching up backdrops! Absolutely love your ideas!

  28. great idea you see these becoming more and more popular!

  29. Great idea. I got some boards at Lowes and glued some wood slats on them and stained it. I also painted some. Yours look like they are easier 🙂 I will be making some!

  30. These look amazing! I really need some good photo backdrops! Thanks for this idea.

  31. NICE! I just got some placemats that looks like wood at Bed Bath and Beyond. Awesome deal for $6.99 a piece!

  32. Wow, this is mighty clever. I had no idea that backdrop paper even existed. It’s shocking how much that paper actually even looks like real wood. What an amazing find! Thanks for sharing this… I am guilty of spending a small fortune on backdrops!

  33. Ooh, I love that! What a great idea! Love the oranges against it.

  34. That is a wonderful idea!! Thank you!!

  35. I’m not much of a photographer, but now I want backdrops anyway! Great idea!

  36. Very clever! I am such a messy blogger though… drips and spills, so I need the vinyl I can wipe off. Love the photos!

  37. This is awesome, thank-you so much for sharing this. I’ve been looking for the perfect back-drop. Found it!

  38. I love the idea of putting them on foam boards! I use Vinyl backdrops too cause they are my favorite. But mine are still just flimsy vinyl sheets.

  39. This is so great! I really need to order this! The backdrop makes the pictures POP!

  40. As a blogger, I love this! And having a daughter that take photos, ah, I love it more!

  41. What a great idea.. I love it.. and love the wood look.. thanks for sharing, will have to look at the Photo paper..interesting;

  42. What a great idea! I would have never thought of doing this!

  43. What a good idea! I need to do this with mine!

  44. I recently bought a plain white foam bi fold ,It has helped me making my pictures stand out a lot

  45. Good idea! I just made my 1st vinyl purchase and they definitely aren’t cheap! I will try this next time for sure!!

  46. Love this idea. I’ve yet to order any backdrops for my photography, but will keep this way to sturdy it up in mind.

  47. I’ve been browsing Lowe’s for DIY supplies for backdrops. There’s no reason to spend what some places charge!

  48. I actually have a big roll of paper “wood” back drop. I switch from vinyl ones to fabric pieces and actual wood.

  49. Wow, what a great idea. Good for you for thinking outside of the box.

  50. This is great! I have a few friends who do their own photography, so I will share your post with them!

  51. Awesome Ideas Needed Some Thank You!1

  52. What AWESOME Ideas!!

  53. That is genius!! I’m going to try this over the summer.

  54. I just bought some of this paper and one in white on sale for$5 each!! I already have the foam board! Can’t wait to make my own drops!!

  55. You guys are really handy! I actually thought it’s a store bought one not a DYI. You did such a great job and thanks for the tips, it looks really neat and cool 🙂

  56. I bought vinyl backdrops and love them. I want more but they are spendy! Fabric works great as backdrops too.

  57. These look fantastic. I need to work on making a few of thes

  58. This is an absolutely brilliant idea! I am excited to give it a go… oh, the possibilities!

  59. That is such a neat idea. I have just plain white backdrop. Sometimes I used different color tablecloth to live it up 🙂

  60. Very cool, the wood looks real too. I will have to check it out, I am an amazon prime member. I would love for you to share tomorrow at the Bacon Time linky, if you want another place to party.

  61. That is so cool! I love the distressed wood look to the background. I fond you by way of Imparting Grace.

  62. See this is much better than my idea of just using white paper as I have been!
    Great idea thanks!

  63. This is such an awesome idea! I really like the wood back drop and it looks great in your photos! I think I’m going to have to try this one!

  64. Awesome idea! I love it! I am always looking for ways to save money and still make things look good!

  65. That is awesome!

  66. This is such a brilliant idea! Those backdrops are not cheap. I’m definitely going to try this.:) Thanks so much for sharing on Inspire Me Wednesday. Featuring you in next week’s issue.

  67. Brilliant, idea. I was thinking of using real wood, which though available and on hand would be cumbersome to handle. This is so much better.

  68. How awesome! Thanks for sharing at Show & Share last week! This of course got the most views!! 🙂

  69. Great idea! Thanks for sharing it. I’ve pinned it!

  70. Awesome! Here I was thinking I’d have to go by the lumber dept at Lowe’s haha

  71. That’s awesome! What a brilliant idea and it looks so real!
    Hello from the Epic Friday Linky 🙂

  72. Love it! I’m so impressed. I know those backdrops are expensive. I’ve not decided what I’m going to do yet for more backdrops.

  73. Awesome! I was just racking my brain to create a good setting for food photography, your post come at the right moment!

  74. This is a great idea. I want to improve my photography and start incorporating recipes on my blog.

  75. Thank you for the tips! I don’t blog, but possibly one day 🙂

  76. Great ideas!

  77. I will be heading to the craft store soon now

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