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Home » blogging 101 » photography

Photography Backdrops – vinyl placemats

Published: February 12, 2014 | Updated: November 12, 2019 | By Ashlee

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I have been blogging for quite a while, And there seems to be stages to blogging, there is the newbie stage, then toddler and I’ve made it past the awkward blogging adolescence stage.  I haven’t quite been blogging long enough to feel like a well seasoned grandparent, but I feel like I know myself as a blogger, I know why I do it and what it pretty much entails overall.  So I’m firmly in the parenting stage of blogging.  So I thought it would be fun to have some blogging 101 type posts!

 

Today I want to share my favorite backdrops!  I have really focused on my photography this past year.  Learning from some of my favorite photographers through out the year.  I still have lots to learn but it’s come a long way!

I love the look of wood in my backdrops.  BUT while gorgeous real wood backdrops take up a TON of space, space I don’t have.  SO when I ound these faux wood vinyl placemats I was THRILLED!  If you want them get some NOW before they run out of stock.

 

I had originally found some faux wood vinyl placemats the year before but only one of each.  And while one was okay most of the time there were moments when I wished I had two.  So when I found these I bought two in each color (except the cherry wood, I didn’t love the shade although I usually love cherry wood).

Because they are a sealed vinyl top they wash off super easily too (I like pictures with dripping, spilling food so I need something that cleans easily)!  My favorite part is that these placemats have texture to the vinyl so when your taking an angled, or side shot you don’t just get a flat/matte picture.  There is actually depth this way, a more real look.

See how in this other, flat, backdrop you don’t see the depth?  Because it’s perfectly flat when you look at it on it’s side it has a weird look, and the hot fudge is just sitting right on the top?  I don’t love it and wouldn’t use this image.  FAIL!  It’s clearly fake (I still use it for a wall backdrop, but not for flooring)

And because they are thin they don’t take up much room, which is KEY for me in my small basement!  I love that I have 5 different “wood” backdrops in such a small space! This pile can slide anywhere without being in the way.  They do sometimes get bent, but just put something heavy on them and you’re good to go again!

And because it looks like wood planks adding two placemats together isn’t very noticeable. Usually all it takes is flipping it around to take it from a clear dark to light area like above.  In this case I’d take the one on the left and flip it around and it would be perfect!

This ice cream scoop actually straddles the two pieces and you can’t even SEE the line here!

Anyway, my first choice is real wood, my last choice is super flat printed image of wood.  These are the perfect in-between!  I’ll share more of my favorite backdrops throughout the year and more blogging tips!  What else would you like to learn?

sharing one of my favorite tricks for food photography, using textured placemats, they look great and they are easy to store

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    Photography Backdrops - Dark & Reflective
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About Ashlee

With the right tips and tricks, I believe YOU can make, bake, or create anything. This is what I love to do - make some awesome, teach you how, and give you that boost of culinary confidence you need to rock your own kitchen! Read more...

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  1. Rose @ RoseBakes.com

    February 12, 2014 at 12:25 pm

    Since I photograph more decorated cakes than recipes, I get into a “rut” using my plain white or black backdrops. But I’m SUPER excited to order these and mix things up when I do things other than cake! Thanks Ashlee!! (And I do have one “real” wood thing that my hubby built for me and it’s gorgeous, but oh yes – it takes up a HUGE amount of space!!)

    Reply
    • Ashlee

      February 20, 2014 at 2:14 am

      someday… when I’m not living in my inlaws basement I’ll get a few gorgeous real wood ones, but for now… you could always get 4 of the same color to create a nice floor for a larger cake and change up the look of that a little too!

    • Linh

      September 15, 2016 at 5:06 pm

      Excuse me, may I ask where you guys have ordered these backdrops? I couldn’t find one on the internet! I’m currently living in England. Thanks so much!

  2. Jenn

    February 13, 2014 at 12:49 am

    These are seriously awesome and I need them all. Thank you for sharing, do you by any chance know if they carry them in the stores? These are on my MUST buy this weekend list! Thanks Ashlee!

    Reply
    • Ashlee

      February 20, 2014 at 2:26 am

      Go to the website and while your on one of the placemats click “find in store”. Up in Salt Lake the sugarhouse location is the only one that has some in stock still! 3 of the colors are on clearance too, so hurry!

  3. Tara @ Keep Moving Forward With Me

    February 13, 2014 at 5:31 am

    I love these! Thanks for the fabulous idea! Adding a trip to Bed Bath and Beyond to me errand list this week.

    Reply
    • Ashlee

      February 20, 2014 at 2:29 am

      make sure to check on the site if they are in the store, would hate for you to have to hit up a few stores before finding them! The sugarhouse location is the only one in SLC that had any last time I checked!

  4. Amber @ Dessert Now, Dinner Later!

    February 13, 2014 at 6:28 am

    I have been meaning to buy these for a while now. So I just ordered all the ones you have. I agree, that cherry color is kind of ugly. Can’t wait to get them! I have been using plain cardboard for a while now, so it will be nice to have some “wood” texture to my photos. I especially love that they are placemats and don’t take up very much space! Thanks Ashlee!

    Reply
    • Ashlee

      February 20, 2014 at 2:29 am

      YAY! so glad you got them and love them! can’t wait to see them on your blog!

  5. aimee @ like mother like daughter

    February 13, 2014 at 8:50 am

    I need to get more of these since they are smaller and portable and look awesome!

    Reply
    • Ashlee

      February 20, 2014 at 2:32 am

      totally! three colors are on clearance now, not sure how much longer they’ll last! I’m debating getting 2 more of each to create a larger space just in case…

  6. Jill @ BeingSpiffy

    February 19, 2014 at 10:32 pm

    Sometimes I hate how smart you are.

    Reply
    • Ashlee

      February 20, 2014 at 3:05 am

      awww you say the nicest things 😉

  7. KC @ The Real Thing with the Coake Family

    April 12, 2015 at 8:24 pm

    Neat to see someone else who uses these! I just happened to find some at JCPenney and snatched them up very quickly! My girls thought I was nuts with how giddy I was to find them. I will have to find more now that I know more exist. They are so easy and, like you said, they don’t take up much storage space. Perfection!

    Reply
    • Ashlee

      May 26, 2015 at 7:00 pm

      Right! I found my first placements at TJmaxx a few years ago and loved it so I was thrilled to find a larger collection to buy! always looking for more shades

  8. Desiree phillips

    December 7, 2015 at 12:54 am

    Hi,I’mfrom Australia. I was wondering where I could order these from. I’m really on need for tbese placemats.It would be great if I could order some. Hopi g to hear from you. Desiree

    Reply
    • Ashlee

      December 27, 2015 at 3:51 am

      the store I buy them for doesn’t sell them anymore. Not sure where you can get them anymore, try amazon!

  9. Jarek

    May 21, 2016 at 1:30 pm

    Hi there,

    Do you know if and where I can gat it from please

    That’s really great idea btw

    Thanks

    Reply
    • Ashlee

      May 24, 2016 at 12:36 am

      I don’t, they aren’t selling them anymore at bed bath and beyond, but if you do a google search you might still find some like here http://americanlinens.com/index.php/kitchen/placemats/wood-placemats.html or here http://amzn.to/1VgqA5O

  10. Kimberly Fritz

    October 20, 2016 at 7:34 pm

    This is such a great idea and one I completely forgot about! I am diving into food styling with my new adventure and can’t wait to give this a try!

    Reply
    • Ashlee

      January 29, 2017 at 1:03 am

      they are harder to find than they used to be – but usually amazon has something! I still use them all the time!

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