Styling Mats: What Are They For?
I recently launched a new collection - hand-painted Styling Mats! If you’re not a photographer, you might be wondering what these are used for. I’m going to answer some the FAQs I receive and introduce you to a new tool that will transform your photos - pro or not!
Styling mats are essentially mini-backdrops for photographing product, invitation suites, flowers, flat-lay arrangements, and more. They are designed to roll up making them portable and easy to bring on shoots, or to wedding venues. It also means they are easy to store and won’t take up precious storage space.
I created these after struggling for YEARS to find surfaces to photograph my work on. The kitchen table just wasn’t cutting it! The wrinkly piece of fabric I had laying around also wasn’t doing the trick. I searched high and low for beautiful surfaces to use, but most of the ones on the market were either cheaply made or digital reproductions of painted or textured surfaces (think “photos” of marble, watercolor or wood printed on flimsy fabric). The other roadblock was that many of the styling surfaces I would find were bulky or hard to store.
I started experimenting with painted canvas and found that the results were exactly what I had been searching for. My photos became instantly elevated and I could create a cohesive look to my product or styled shoots. I also knew that most of what existed in the market was limited to neutral color palettes. Those are definitely needed and versatile, but this girl needed color.
My collection of styling mats features a wide range of vibrant colors (don’t worry neutral lovers - I’ve got you covered too!). The bright pops of color add so much personality to the photos, and lets your work stand out from the crowd.
Here’s just a sampling of what you can use these one-of-a-kind pieces of portable artwork for:
Flat-lay photography (influencers, I’m looking at you!)
Wedding photography (invitation suites, detail shots of shoes, rings, and more)
Product photography (create a cohesive look for your shop!)
Mini-backdrops (perfect for smaller items like floral arrangements, product shots, 3D items)
I’d love to know what your favorites are and what colors you would like to see in the next launch! Share in the comments below!