In today’s post: You don’t need to spend a lot of money on photo backdrops to get great pictures – just put together one of these 20 ingenious DIY photo backdrops!
When I want new portraits of my kids, I never head to the photography studio. Instead, I head to the kitchen or front room, where I get great window light. I’m willing to spend a lot more time than most photographers would with my kids to get just the photo I want, and I often photograph them right in front of a blank wall for an easy background. This can get old pretty quickly, though, so I’ve collected 20 different options for easy DIY backdrops you can use in your home.
Note: find out how to set up your own home photo studio here.
20 DIY photo backdrops
DIY backdrops on a wall
If you have some empty space on a wall try one of these options for a super-simple DIY photography backdrop:
1. This DIY ombre backdrop tutorial from For the Love Of… shows you how to create a lovely color filled background using plastic tablecloths:
2. Use doilies in different colors to make a DIY photo backdrop like this one from Sarah Hearts:
3. Get a fun vintage feel in no time with this book paper backdrop by The Blue Eyed Owl:
4. I’ve used fabric for a DIY backdrop before, usually clamping it to something to try to keep the winkles to a minimum. This idea by Young House Love is genius – tape fabric right to the wall! You’ll want to check out her completely awesome 52 weeks of photos collage as well.
5. Ballons, anyone? How perfect would this backdrop by Momtog be for birthday photos?
6. It probably doesn’t get much easier than this fun and color customizeable streamer backdrop by Lovely Indeed:
7. Another take on a streamer photo backdrop, this time with a geometric twist by Ruffled Blog:
8. Learn how to make these pretty flowers for a lovely DIY backdrop from Lovely Indeed:
Reusable DIY photo backdrops
When you want a reusable backdrop, fabric or paper on a roll and a DIY stand is a good choice. Check out these tutorials for more info:
9. Fabric hung from a curtain rod and completed with trim at the bottom by The Farmer’s Nest:
10. Use a few yards of black stretch velvet for the perfect black background (plus tips on using your garage as a photo studio) by yours truly:
11. Build DIY backdrop stand from PVC pipe with these instructions from Dandelions on the Wall:
13. Another PVC backdrop stand with floor ideas as well from Easy Peasy Pie:
14. This clever setup from Mrs. Beach Bride allows you to use fun patterned wrapping paper as a DIY photography backdrop:
15. This pink photo background is gorgeous, right? Click over to I Heart Faces to see how incredibly easy it was:
Build your own DIY photo backdrop
If you’d like to build a small background you can use over and over again without the hassle of hanging anything up, try one of these options:
16. 4’x4′ backdrop boards that store easily against a wall and can be painted any color (each board can be a different color on each side) for about $10 from It’s Always Autumn:
17. Here’s a similar tutorial from Welcome to the Mouse House that includes background board and floor board:
18. If you’re interested in a little more involved project that gives a stunning result, Bree Franklin Photography has a tutorial for a gorgeous planked wall and floor you can make for under $100 here (you’ll have to click over to see how beautiful it is).
19. For a cheap and easy DIY planked backdrop, scroll to the bottom of this post here on It’s Always Autumn.
20. Click over to this post for more ideas on finding a better background in and around your home (then check out the rest of the 8 steps to better photos on AUTO series).
I hope these DIY backdrops give you lots of idea for creating your own cheap photo backdrops!
For more photo backdrop tips, check out these posts:
alison says
Love this list! Most of them seem so easy, but are very pretty. (over from Get Your Craft On)
Jenn says
Love these ideas! (found you on Sugar Bee Crafts)
[email protected] says
These are beautiful! Thanks for sharing! I will take all the pointers I can get on taking better baby pics! Stopping by from Hoyby Crafts!
Angela says
Oh, my goodness…Thank you so much for these ideas, you’re going to save me a fortune since I spend about $70 each for the backdrops I use in my photo shoots. I have to try some of them myself. I am just not a crafty person, but some of them are so easy to make!
Angela Butler – Clarksville, TN Photographer
Sarah says
Thanks so much for including my doily backdrop!
Linda says
I could not get to the tutorial. Up pops “you can get a $100 Amazon gift card” when you click clack on the linj
Kathie Thomas says
Great ideas. Saw these posted at pinterest. Thanks for sharing them.
cecelia says
do you make these DIY back drops for others? if so, i have interest in knowing your prices.
autumn says
I actually don’t make these for others, Cecelia, but thanks for asking. Many are quite simple, so I’m sure you’d have no trouble making your own!
russell says
I am looking to make an old white wash barn wall. What would u recommend? Plz email me
Wahidiyah Jakarta says
ouchhh.. i love your creation.. great talent!
Sue photo says
I love these photo booth backdrop ideas. The balloon one looks like a lot of fun. I just need a party to throw a party now to have an excuse to try some of these out. Thanks for sharing.
Guy Manningham says
Awesome backdrop ideas. We will implement some on our next photo shoot. Thanks!
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Laura says
I have used a piece of drywall that I paint over and over again- and in this photo- I painted it to go along with the them that the father painted in his daughter’s room, and then made tissue flowers to go on the drywall.
https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t1.0-9/1003416_639124776106725_562350111_n.jpg
I also use a piece of material that I purchased at Wal-mart that is actually like a piece of tablecloth and it is pictured in the background here…
https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t1.0-9/421971_639124792773390_783440769_n.jpg
Other ideas- I have went to the local carpet store- they have given me scrap pieces of carpet and flooring which I use as background and flooring- – – freebies are always great! 🙂 And they work just fine! Just use a clamp to attach to the backdrop stand.
autumn says
Wonderful ideas – thanks for sharing!
Meridith Cantrell says
I am so glad I came across this. Was looking for ideas for making a backdrop for senior portraits and now I have so many other ideas for other backdrops! Thanks!
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Mette Baltzer says
Just love these backgrounds. Thanks for sharing 🙂
آتلیه عکس کودک says
good ideas thanks for sharing
Amy Beckingham says
Thank you, these are such great ideas 🙂
Aleeza Hm says
love these ideas..simple but creative 🙂
heidi @ a week from thursday says
These are all great. I’ve always wanted to do a PVC backdrop, but there’s no room in my house and I don’t do a lot of outdoor photography. I’ll definitely be looking at that wrapping paper setup. Brilliant. And of course, I love scallops. I did a similar roundup a while ago on my blog, if you want to check it out.
http://aweekfromthursday.com/2014/09/10-diy-photo-booth-ideas-roundup/
Ashley says
Found your site on Pinterest. Love the backdrop ideas! I’m definitely going to try some of these ideas. The balloons idea is sooo adorable. The fabric hung from a rod is awesome! Thanks for sharing your ideas.
Ashley
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AUDREY says
Shower curtains make awesome backdrops as well. I have found many designs at my local thrift store. Great backgrounds for under $20
milano says
I found your this post while searching for some related information on blog search…Its a good post..keep posting and update the information.
Noele Dodson says
I Love your ideas. So creative!
Chris says
I love these ideas some of them are genius. Thank you very much for taking the time to post 20 different ways to create a DIY backdrop.
I thought I had tried everything with my studio shoots but I have now got a new list of things to try.