5 Reasons Why You Should Use Textile Backdrops in Your Photography

Here are five tips that save you money and get you high-quality backdrops. This is important because you must stand out as a successful photographer, and we all know that blending into the crowd isn't exactly the best way to book clients.

Here are five reasons why I think purchasing textile backdrops is better than paper. Although, I still use paper backdrops when it's appropriate.

Originality Is Important

When you buy seamless paper backdrops, you'll get the same look as every other photographer. When you rent a photo studio with the same backdrops (even if not paper), you'll get the same type of images as the other photographers in your market. Textile backdrops give you an edge and more flexibility with the creativity.

Cost Is Key

I can save money by investing in textile photo backdrops because they are seasonal. I can purchase backdrops after a holiday and save a lot of money. For example, green backdrops are cheaper in January instead of early December before the Christmas holiday. You can save them and use them later. Paper will mostly stay the same cost year-round and once you step on paper, it's done. Cut the roll and use a new segment, which adds to the cost. As someone who had to purchase many rolls for his photo studio, it's a big cost!

Cloth Backdrops Are Easier to Store

Ever tried to shove a long seamless roll into your car? How about 2-3 rolls at the same time? It's a pain and sometimes difficult to work with because you may not have the assistance required to carry everything. Cloth backdrops fold up into clear plastic tubs. Make sure you have a steamer, and you're good!

DIY vanity mirror with round bulbs and wooden frame on urban street.
DTLA Garment District

Remix and Revisit for the Win!

Styles go in and out. You can easily collect these easy-to-store garments for future photoshoots. You can dye them, tie-dye them, or even distress them. You have options, but with paper, it's limited. You can hang the cloth and place a fan for background movement. You can take the same backdrop cinch it for the curtain effect. You can also take each corner and have a solid wallpaper look to your photograph. Then, when you're done with it, you can dye the textile and give it a whole new vibe. Remix and revisit!

You're Wrong! I Still Want to Use Paper!!

Ok, good. Do that then. Be happy. This is to provide alternatives for people looking to branch out into other creative options. If I want more of a seamless option, I'll go with paper. If I want a massive backdrop option, then paper could be a better option. Everything has its place, but paper is not your only option. 

Walid Azami is a self-taught LA photographer/director who’s worked with icons like Madonna, Kanye, J.Lo, and Mariah. He directed a VOTY nominated video and shot for global brands. Walid is also the first Afghan to photograph the cover of Vanity Fair and other major magazines. He runs VBA, a free Discord community for photographers & filmmakers.

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1 Comment

It seems as all of the fabrics you were looking at in the video were standard 54" rolls. I find that is generally not sufficient, especially for full length shots. I made it a habit to look for double width upholstery fabrics and I was lucky to find a close-out specialty shop that had numerous choices in higher-quality 108" wide fabrics for good prices which I have made entire sets from. The attached photos show a set that was made from 4 different patterns of upholstery fabric from that store. I was able to use those fabrics on multiple fashion shoots for a few different clients and I still have them available for use today. They certainly do last longer than paper rolls, though I find that I use seamless paper more frequently for a wider variety of shoots.