Creativity can be found anywhere and with anything. It may be the simplest object that makes the best prop for a photo shoot. Take the Chinese New Year for example, the plants that are believed to bring you luck, the auspicious paper cutting decorations, or even basic sweet wrappers can be used to make a portrait shot different. Here are three examples to get your creativity juice started. 

EOS M10, EF-M22mm f/2 STM lens, f/2.8, 22mm, 1/80sec, ISO800 

Pussy Willow

Many families decorate their homes with pussy willows, a plant that signifies the beginning of spring, during the Chinese New Year. Also known as catkins, these beautiful furry buds are not only soft to touch, but are also great for framing in your portrait shots. Direct your subject to look through its skinny branches, and make sure you get the buds on the foreground. With a shallow depth of field, the white buds will appear fuzzy and furry, which make for nice bokehs in the shot.

EOS M10, EF-M22mm f/2 STM lens, f/2.0, 22mm, 1/250sec, ISO800

D.I.Y. Backdrop

Still have those Chinese New Year paper cuttings? Do not throw them away just yet. Collect these auspicious paper cuttings and create your own wallpaper for a fun Chinese-themed portrait shoot. Mix and match different designs and sizes to give your background a good variation. 

EOS M10, EF-M22mm f/2 STM lens, f/2.0, 22mm, 1/320sec, ISO800 

Sweet Wrappers

If you have translucent sweet wrappers (e.g. Hacks) at home, use them as filters for your shots. Poke a hole through the sweet wrapper or slit it slightly open so your subject can be in clear view while its surroundings are filtered with a shade of a different tone. Secure the sweet wrapper around your camera lens with a rubber ban or adhesive tape and start shooting!

EOS M10, EF-M22mm f/2 STM lens, f/2.8, 22mm, 1/250sec, ISO800 

 

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