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.
Wow!! They have so many great backdrops!! I would definintely get https://www.etsy.com/listing/185597280/3ftx3ft-grunge-black-blue-green-floor?ref=shop_home_active_1 and https://www.etsy.com/listing/179435053/6ftx4ft-barn-window-vinyl-photography?ref=shop_home_active_17. I love the blue/green color in them!!
Id love to get the Scuffed Faux White Wood Wall Floor Drop- Wood background… it would be a great neutral for photographing my dye jobs!
Are you offering any coupon codes for a discount off a purchase?
Peek Prints is currently offering a 10% off coupon to new customers! Enter FB104U at checkout. I’ve just updated this post with that info – thanks for asking!
So many nice back drops. I really like the 7ft.x7ft. In Space- Planet- Moon- Star Background- Vinyl Photography Backdrop
If i won i think i’d buy the 7ft.x5ft. Lilac Garden Window Vinyl Photography Backdrop.
I might get the 5ft.x5ft. Fozen Snowflake Vinyl Photography Backdrop
I would get the 6×4 worn rustic planks and then a few of the sample size ones. They have a lot of nice ones.
I’d get the Flat White Wood backdrop and maybe the Old Green-Teal Painted Planks!
I would have trouble choosing, but one of the wood floor drops would def be it. They all are calling my name!
i would choose the vintage american flag. it is really beautiful
If I were Lucky to be chosen to WIN the $50 Gift-Card to PEEKPRINTS..I’d definitely be Choosing the “5ft.x5ft. Grungy BRIGHT STRIPES Vinyl Photography Backdrop- Bright Background-” to get my wonderful Family of 5 some much Needed Family Photo’s…I also wanted to Wish Everyone all the very BEST OF LUCK in the draw 🙂 so GOOD-LUCK, GOOD-LUCK Everyone who is Entering 🙂
the gray paneled – but I think I am placing an order anyways bc I love it and cant wait for the giveaway to end
If i win i use the $50 to buy the shabby flower printed wood planks
I would use the gift card towards the 4ft.x3ft. Cloudy Night Vinyl Photography Backdrop. It would look great in my daughter’s bedroom.
I would choose the 4ft.x4ft. Shabby Country Chic Rose Wood Floor Studio Photography Backdrop – Floordrop and the 4ft.x4ft. Blue Grunge Painted Concrete Wall Vinyl Photography Backdrop. These are awesome.
I would pick a wood backdrop, like the grey layered plank one!
If I won the gift card, I’d use it to buy the grunge blue green fade vinyl backdrop. So pretty!
https://www.etsy.com/listing/229361596/7ftx5ft-grunge-blue-green-fade-vinyl?ref=shop_home_active_13
I would get the 4ft.x3ft Grey Layered Plank Wood Floor Vinyl Photography FloorDrop
Love these, I would definitely get this ivy panel. I live in the North East and we go months and months where it’s snowy and grey outside…no vegetation in site and I struggle with taking outdoor nature photos…which are my favorite!! I would get some green panels to take indoor photos during our loooooong cold winter months. https://www.etsy.com/listing/197563802/4ftx3ft-ivy-greenery-vinyl-photography?ref=shop_home_active_19
I would purchase a white wood backdrop if I won!
i think i would choose the 4ft.x6ft. Light Vintage Door Vinyl Photography Backdrop
I’d get the 5ft.x5ft. Red Barn Wood Vinyl Backdrop WOOD FLOORDROP. Thanks.
partymix25(at)Hotmail(dot)com
I really like the 6ft.x4ft. Purple Hanging Flower Garden Vinyl Photography Backdrop
I would pick the superhero building backdrop!
love so many of them, but I think the 5ft.x5ft. Santa Baby- Red Hanging Gems Christmas Background would come in handy during the holidays.
One of my granddaughters is an amateur photographer and she likes to photograph babies in rustic scenes.
I hope she would like the Clean White Wood floor 9(4 by 3 feet).’ I also hope she would choose the 4 by 3 rough old wood floor, priced at $25.22. My first choice also costs $25.22. I love so many of the backdrops.
I would spend it on the 5ft.x5ft. My Heart is in the Clouds Vinyl Photography Backdrop
I am really in love with the Shabby Chic Purple Flower Wood Back drop!
I like the Barn Door with Lock Vinyl Photography Backdrop, it’s appropriate because we’re farmers. 🙂
6 ft x 4ft red brick vinyl backdrop
I would love to get an assortment of 2ft by 2ft backdrops to improve my IG photos.
I like the 8ft.x10ft. In Space- Planet- Moon- Star Background- Vinyl Photography Backdrop the most of all of the choices.
Well, that didn’t last long, your fave-our-ite backdrop vendor (never have been able to figure out how to pronounce spellings such as “favourite” and similar, thus, my interpretation “fave-our-ite” or should it be “fave-oor-ite”). Apparently Peek Prints is out (“oot” for Canucks!) of business, less than two years after this web log article update (August 2016).