Using everyday items like an old cookie sheet, a weathered wooden cutting board, or a pretty cloth napkin can instantly elevate your food photos from plain to enticing.

I recently presented at the Illinois Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics annual meeting on smartphone food photography. One key point I stressed was how important an interesting background is for making healthy dishes look irresistible. Before you worry about plates and bowls, consider the surface your food sits on — that canvas can make or break the shot.

Top 5 Favorite Background Props for Food Photography

Wooden Boards, Barn Boards and Cutting Boards

A wooden board adds warmth and texture to food photos. I once rescued an antique-looking board from what my husband thought was trash; it quickly became a favorite prop, especially for recipes like Peanut Butter Crepes with Strawberry Sauce. Barn board — reclaimed boards from old barns — also provides rustic character and pairs beautifully with baked goods and savory dishes alike. Use the wood grain to guide composition and contrast it with lighter plates or ingredients for visual impact.

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Old Cookie Sheets

Don’t toss those worn cookie sheets — they make excellent, character-filled backdrops. I baked a Swiss Chard & Zucchini Quiche on an old sheet and photographed it straight from the oven. Adding a piece of parchment or waxed paper gives you a layered look with soft texture and added interest. The aged metal surface works especially well with rustic dishes and creates subtle reflections that add depth to a composition.

Commercially Made Photography Backdrops

If you prefer a ready-made option, vinyl or printed backdrop boards are an easy investment. I bought several vinyl backdrops in various wood and tile patterns for consistent, clean surfaces that are simple to store and reuse. A 3×3 foot backdrop covers most small tabletop shoots; choose colors and textures that complement your food without overpowering it.

Fabric Samples, Scraps and Linens

Fabric scraps and linen samples are versatile, inexpensive props. I often pick up quarter-yard fabric pieces from a local fabric shop and use them as backgrounds, table runners or accent swatches. A soft pink or patterned fabric can brighten a salad shot, while a heavier linen adds texture under baked goods. Quilting shops and fabric stores frequently sell small cuts that are perfect for building a prop collection without spending much.

For example, Tabbouleh with the Works looks fresh and vibrant on a pink fabric swatch, while a bedroom curtain’s material once served as the backdrop for a Healthy Homemade Beefaroni photo. Mixing fabrics — draping one over a board or layering two pieces — creates depth and helps you experiment with different moods.

DIY Photography Boards

Make your own photography boards by painting inexpensive plywood or MDF with chalk paint, milk paint, or a mix of colors to mimic aged wood, concrete or tile. Layer paints and sand edges for a distressed look, then seal with a matte finish to reduce glare. These DIY boards are lightweight, portable and customizable to your preferred palette and style. They’re ideal for creating a cohesive aesthetic across multiple shoots without spending a lot on commercial backdrops.

Tips for choosing and using background props:

• Keep colors and textures complementary — let the food remain the focal point.
• Use layers: boards, fabric and small props together create interest without clutter.
• Work with natural light and position the backdrop to avoid harsh reflections.
• Vary angles and distance to see how the background affects composition and mood.
• Build a small but versatile prop kit so you can quickly style dishes for phone photography.

With a few everyday items and a bit of experimentation, you can create striking, professional-looking food photos using only your smartphone. Start collecting boards, sheets, fabrics and small backdrops — they’ll pay off every time you shoot.