Foraging For Photography Props for Small Businesses
Foraging has been a quiet love of mine since childhood—though back then, I didn’t recognize it as anything special. I was simply drawn to the treasures nature left for me to find. Rocks with curious patterns, feathers resting in the grass, twisted branches that seemed to hold stories. I collected them all, tucking my finds into the hollowed-out remains of a rotting tree stump in the woods behind my house. That space felt sacred—a little world of discovery I had built with my own hands.
I remember the day we moved from that house. At the last possible moment, I panicked, realizing my beloved collection was still nestled in that stump. My dad, sensing the urgency, grabbed a Tupperware container, and together we carefully transferred each rock, each feather, each memory. I carried them with me, a tangible connection to the place I was leaving behind.
I said goodbye to those woods that day, knowing I’d miss them—the quiet rhythm of foraging, the thrill of spotting something unique and placing it on my little stump. But I told myself I’d find new spaces, new places to continue my search. And I did.
Fast forward to today, and I’m still collecting. Rocks, sticks, flowers, clippings from wild plants. The habit is woven into my life, an instinct I never shook. I walk with my eyes scanning the ground for nature’s offerings. Each piece I gather holds a beauty that feels almost magical, and over time, I found a way to incorporate this practice into something even bigger— product photography.
It was through styling and photography that I realized foraging wasn’t just a childhood pastime, but a lifelong ritual. Now, I use these little wonders—textures of wood, softness of petals, the earthy weight of stones—to bring depth and meaning to my images. I craft scenes that tell stories, where the essence of nature becomes an extension of the subject.
So let’s forage together. Let’s gather the elements that call to us and weave them into our creative process. Let’s bring a bit of the wild into our everyday lives.
Tips for Small Businesses: How to Forage for Your Own Photography Props
Foraging for props isn’t just about finding beautiful objects—it’s about creating a connection between your brand and the natural world. Here’s how you can start integrating this mindful practice into your product photography:
1. Know Your Aesthetic – Define the textures and colors that complement your brand. Whether it’s rustic and organic or soft and ethereal, let nature help tell your story.
2. Explore Locally – Walk through parks, trails, or even your own backyard with fresh eyes. Fallen branches, dried leaves, wildflowers, and stones can add visual depth to your photos.
3. Think Seasonally – Different times of the year offer unique props. Spring brings fresh blooms, summer offers lush greenery, autumn gifts golden leaves, and winter reveals delicate frost patterns.
4. Pair with Products Thoughtfully – Match natural elements to your product’s theme. Herbal-based goods might pair well with dried lavender and rosemary, while earthy candles could be styled alongside moss, bark, or river stones.
5. Embrace Imperfections – Nature isn’t uniform, and that’s its beauty. Weathered wood, sun-dried leaves, and even rough-textured stones can add an organic authenticity to your visuals.
Bringing Nature’s Beauty into Hawthorn & Oak’s Latest Collection
When Hawthorn & Oak reached out to me to photograph their new incense line, I was beyond thrilled! It was an incredible opportunity to collaborate with such a creative and passionate women-owned small business—one that infuses every product with deep intention and artistry.
If you know Hawthorn & Oak, then you know their candles are more than just beautifully crafted—they are experiences. Each hand-poured creation is carefully adorned with meaningful crystals, delicately sprinkled with dried petals and herbs, and dusted with shimmering glitter that dances in the flickering glow. Every detail is designed with purpose, transforming each candle into a sacred ritual of light and scent.
Now, Hawthorn & Oak is expanding their magic beyond candlelight, translating their signature fragrances into decadent incense blends. Just like their candle releases, each incense drop will honor divine energy, launching two deities at a time—a thoughtful pairing of scents that evoke wisdom, power, and serenity.
Styling The Perfect Scene
Creating a visual story for Hawthorn & Oak’s incense line meant immersing myself in the essence of each scent—not just drawing from their ingredients, but capturing the emotions and energies they embody. It wasn’t just about photographing a product—it was about translating ritual into imagery, bringing each blend’s sacred purpose to life.
The Persephone Blend: Pomegranate, Clary Sage, and Cypress
Persephone, the goddess of spring and queen of the underworld, lives in duality—life and death, growth and decay, renewal and shadow. She guides the transition between seasons, reigning over both the blooming fields and the depths of the unseen realm. She is balance, transformation, and the eternal cycle of existence.
To reflect the essence of Persephone, I curated a moody spring scene, rich in contrast—dark colors against fresh ingredients, fleeting light against deep shadows. The pomegranate, lush and crimson, sat cracked open, its jeweled seeds spilling like offerings from the underworld. Cypress branches wove through the setting, their deep green presence grounding the space, while clary sage, known for its clarity and insight, softened the intensity—like the breath of renewal that follows rebirth.
The Hecate Blend: Cedarwood, Lavender, and White Eucalyptus
Hecate, goddess of magic, the moon, and the crossroads, sees all paths and offers wisdom in times of uncertainty. She governs transitions, watching over those who navigate change. Protector of the home, keeper of sacred boundaries, and a guide through the unknown—Hecate is the light in the darkness, offering insight, courage, and transformation.
For this scene, I leaned into the theme of crossroads—where shadows and twilight meet, where choices must be made. A split selenite crystal—a stone of moon energy—represented the division of paths, embodying Hecate’s wisdom in guiding us beyond illusion and into truth. Cedarwood formed the foundation, its grounding warmth anchoring the space, while lavender carried an air of mystery, delicate but potent in its presence. White eucalyptus, crisp and cleansing, added a breath of clarity amidst the mysticism, completing the balance between shadow and serenity.
These incense blends are more than scents—they are symbols of transition, power, and ritual. Hawthorn & Oak has masterfully woven ancient energy into tangible form, crafting incense and candles that illuminate your space and enrich your daily rituals with intention and meaning.
Learn more about these divine blends and how Hawthorn & Oak continues to infuse magic into every creation.
