Tutorial: Photo backgrounds for crafty projects!

I’m often asked how I create the backgrounds in my photographs of cards and other crafty projects, so I thought I’d write up a tutorial to share. (If you’re new to my blog, I have more handy photo tutorials here.)

I’ll start by showing you what the finished photo looks like, so here it is!

mon-whats-cooking

The secret to that background?  It’s just a box!  Here’s my setup

st-box2

I used a small UPS box, but any old box that will hold your paper will do.  Apply a roller type adhesive to the top and bottom parts of the box — I’ve been using the box for about 2 years now and it’s still going strong!  By using a re-positionable adhesive you can easily switch out the papers.  (Note: I used Kokuyo Dot ‘n’ Roller re-positionable adhesive, but it’s sadly no longer made.)

Here’s a closeup of the adhesive so you can see it better — not that I was particularly neat + tidy or anything, ha ha!

tape-closeup-text

When I want to use it, I stand the box up, pushing it flat against the wall to make sure that it’s straight.  Then I put the pretty paper on it, by putting the bottom edge of the paper along the table (so that it’s even) and then sticking it to the box.

Sometimes I lift the box up and add another piece of pretty paper underneath, making sure it’s lined up with the box.

That bottom piece of paper is great for taking pictures of the insides of cards, like so

mon-whats-perking-inside

And that’s it!

(Supplies: Flower paper by GCD/Melody Ross, yellow polka dot paper by Bo Bunny, doily, coffee pot, hello and what’s perking stamps by Hero Arts.  I used Copic markers to color the coffee pot.  All felt goodness by Basic Grey.  Ribbon from my stash.)

Do you have a setup that you like to use?  I’d love to see it!

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