Blogging is more and more about visuals these days. Gone are the days when blogs were just words on a screen. Nowadays if you don’t have large, bright, well-composed photos to complement your writing, readers will move on. So I take a lot of pictures. Many are of my kids (like, a million of them), but I also take photos of the products and recipes that I talk about on my website.
I’m a blogger though, not a photographer. I’m slowly learning how to use all the buttons and settings on my camera, but it’s still a work in progress. In the last couple of years, I’ve picked up a few tricks along the way. The most important rule is to never ever use my flash. Another game changer for me? Photo drops.
Nobody wants to see a review diaper on my wrinkled bedspread, or a delectable dessert plate on my old linoleum counter. It’s distracting.
See this pretty picture?
Or how about these Star Wars inspired chocolate and macadamia nut cupcakes?
Let’s pull back the camera back a bit and take a look behind the scenes. My painted white wood is really just a 2 by 2 foot sheet of printed vinyl!
Vinyl backdrops are a tool of the trade for professional photographers obviously, but I would consider these a must have for lifestyle bloggers, food bloggers, and anyone selling on Etsy or Ebay too. You know when you visit your favourite blog and see those mouthwatering pictures of dinner staged on a vintage painted wood table or next to that marble backsplash? Chances are, they’re using a photo drop too.
I was on the hunt for a few quality backdrops when I discovered Peek Prints Backdrops on Etsy. This family-run business prints gorgeous backdrops, floor drops, and seasonal prints on durable vinyl using matte finish, ECOLOGO certified, GreenGuard Children & Schools Certified, 100% recyclable, and solvent-free inks. The friendly folks at Peek Prints sent me a few drops to check out for myself and share with you.
Here’s Tee hanging out on my posh, vintage whitewashed wooden floor.
Oh, wait. That’s another sheet of vinyl printed to look like a bright grey wood plank floor .
When I was shopping around, I looked at plenty of budget photo drop places. They all cautioned not to use their drops for close-up photography because they would look blurry or digitized. But the level of detail and definition in Peek Prints’ images is fantastic. Their drops look just as great close up as they do at a distance, without charging an arm and a leg. (Scroll back up to look at that photo of sidewalk chalk. See what I mean?)
I love the subtle tones and texture of this slate tile floordrop. Looks real, doesn’t it?
I also received this larger 5 by 5 foot washed white brick backdrop that’s just the right size for pictures of my kids goofing around, both in front and behind the scenes! Peek Prints backdrops come ready for hanging on a backdrop stand using clamps like I have them here. They also offer the option for brass grommets or pole pockets that you can thread a rod through.
All Peek Prints drops roll up for storage or transport in the sturdy cardboard tube they come shipped in. The smaller ones especially are so convenient to move around wherever I need to catch the light.
Follow Peek Prints on Facebook for sample shots of their drops in action, flash sales, promotions, and giveaways!
Shop!
Check out Peek Prints Backdrops‘ extensive collection of backdrops and floor drops on Etsy. Small 2×2 foot photo drops start at only $6.99, and standard sizes range from 2×2 to a whopping 8×16 feet. They have literally hundreds of designs and sizes to fit your needs, whether as a portrait photographer, food/product photographer, blogger, or a seller on Etsy or eBay. They also take custom orders!
Peek Prints is currently offering a 10% off coupon to new customers! Enter FB104U at checkout.
Win a $50 Gift Card!
Calling all photographers, bloggers, and anyone interested in photography! Peek Prints Backdrops is generously offering one winner a $50 gift card towards your order, including shipping. Enter in the widget below for your chance to win. This giveaway is open to residents of Canada and the US, 18+. All entries will be verified. Good luck!
Check out my other open giveaways listed in the sidebar or in the menu (for mobile).
Disclosure: I received sample items for review. All opinions expressed are completely honest and my own, based on my personal experience. Your experience may differ.
I’d get the Rough Old Wood Floor Vinyl Photography Backdrop.
I would get some of the nature ones: grass, sand, and grandma’s cottage!
I would probably get the 5 x 6 flowering trees and several of the 3×3 ones like the purple hanging flowers and white painted wood.
I meant 5 x 5 flowering trees.
5ftx5ft Birch Trees in the Winter Background Vinyl Backdrop is what I would get. Wonderful for Christmas cards.
There are so many different choices. Wow! I really love the “wood floor” options, so I would get a few of those in the 2×2 size. They would be perfect to use for product photos for my small business.
I would love to get the 5’x5′ Vintage shades of Dark and Blue Wood Floor Planks! I think that it would make an amazing background. Thank you so much!
I choose the 2ft.x2ft. Shabby Chic Teal Brick Vinyl Photography Backdrop, 2ft.x2ft. Washed White Brick Photo Background- Photgraphy Backdrop and possibly a few others. Most products that I get to review on my blog are small and I think the 2ft size would be perfect.
I love so many of the options! I would probably get the White Painted Wood Vinyl Photography Backdrop. Not sure what size though…
I would buy a couple of the wood floor backdrops. I’m really loving this purple one! https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/182212462/6ftx4ft-purple-plank-vinyl-photography?ref=shop_home_active_9
Everything..haha. Either the 4×3 white wood floor or the 2×2 hand scraped floors. Or both and then more π
I would purchase the Grass vinyl backdrop. This backdrop would be great for pics of my grandson or the whole family.
I would buy the 4ftx4ft Wheat Grass in the Morning if i won.
I would use it toward purchasing the white brick backdrop
i might get the 5ft.x5ft. Shabby Chic Teal Brick Vinyl Photography Backdrop
I would buy the white wood vinyl – love it! Oooh I hope I win!! These are such a good idea
I love the 2ft.x2ft. Shabby Chic Teal Brick Vinyl Photography Backdrop and 5ft.x5ft. Thin Dark Blue Chevron Vinyl Photography Backdrop and I think I would pick those if I was lucky enough to win! So Cute!!
I like the “clean white wood” and the “slate tile”
I love the Shabby Chic Teal Brick and would get the 5×5. I also really like the Bright Grey Wood Planks.
The 7ftx7ft Floor Length Mug Shot backdrop would be useful for photographing both the little and big crooks around town. It might even be a money-making venture as mugshots are apparently collectibles!
I would love some of the painted wood backgrounds!
I would love the Hand Scraped Brown Wood Floor Planks Viny Floordrop,. Perfect for food photography!
Wow, what a fab etsy store!! I just fell in love with Earth Tone Stone Wall. It would be perfect for ootds! π
These are such cool products – what a good idea to just have a simple vinyl background that looks so real. Thanks for introducing me to Peek Prints. I like the old wood floor and the grungy red brown brick backdrops.
The clean white wood is amazing π
…maybe the one seen here: https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/203272590/5ftx5ft-hand-stained-brown-wood-floor?ref=shop_home_active_23
I like the Winter Evergreen Backdrop
I like the ship deck the most. But there are so many great choices!
I would put it toward the 7ft.x7ft.Ship Deck – Vinyl Photography Backdrop- Grunge Rotting Wood Floor Backdrop. There are so many I like, but this one stands out to me.
I like the 5ft.x5ft. Chippy Blue- Peeling Paint- Vinly Photography Backdrop- Photographic Background
I’d choose the Vintage Flat World Map Vinyl Photography Backdrop. It’s very pretty!
I would probably get the Plain White Brick.
What a neat look behind the scenes. I would probably want a weathered wood background. Maybe something like the 5ft.x5ft Vintage Shades of Dark and Blue Wood Floor Planks Faux Floor Planks Faux Wood Floor Drop.
Hi – I’m not entering bc I do not need this, but it was very interesting, I would have never known! Now if I ever have the need, I’ll know what to do!
I would probably buy a few different 2×2 designs to have a few to work with. I love the one you used the “vintage wood floor”.
I would buy the Dreamy White Wood Floor Backdrop
Lovin’ the rough old wood floor, among others!
i think i’d like to invest in a bunch of the 2 and 4 ft sample sizes so i’d have a lot of backgrounds to start with. it’s nice to have variety.
I’d buy 2 and 3 ft backdrops in rough wood and brick motifs!
REALLY love this one:
https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/183644937/2ftx2ft-bright-grey-wood-plank-floor?ref=shop_home_active_24
I would buy the moody blue watercolor background, or maybe one of the glitter ones!
Oh my goodness! There are so many I love, I don’t know which I would pick first… Maybe the 3×3 Lexi Lou Lacey White Wood Floor or the Black and Grey Water Color or something sparkly or one of the bokeh ones! I love them all!!!
I like the Rock a Baby yellow wood floor planks!
I actually dont think I can wait. I am going to buy something vintage now!
I like the vintage clouds backdrop. Very tranquil!
Smaller ones that look like floor and bigger ones that look like stone! So awesome! I had no idea these existed!
I’d love the white wood floor, rough old wood floor and so many more π
I really fell in love with the Old Green Painted Planks Back Drop. The Flag one looks amazing as well.
I would definitely get the white washed wood floor and some other neutral backdrops for my business!
I would love to get the 5 ft X 5 ft Chippy Blue- Peeling Paint- Vinly Photography Backdrop- Photographic Background
I would use the gift card to add to my collection from peek prints. I would get 4×4 funky flowers and 4×4 Pink & White Polka Dot
Tough choice, I like the 5ft.x7ft. Ivy Greenery Vinyl Photography Backdrop