Looking to take your backdrop photography beyond the studio? Whether you’re craving more dynamic images or want to push creative boundaries, photographing backdrops on-location is a simple yet powerful way to elevate your portfolio.
In this guide, we’ll walk through exactly how to photograph backdrops on-location, including setup tips, gear choices, and creative considerations – all based on a real shoot on the beach.
Equipment Used:
Camera: Canon EOS R5
Lens: Canon RF 28-70mm F2
Light: Natural Light
Backdrop: Xia – 5×7 Canvas from Intuition Backgrounds
Team:
Photographer: Sal Cincotta
Model: Violet
Hair & Makeup: Brandi Patton, ReFine Beauty
Why Take Backdrops On-Location?
What You’ll Need
For this shoot, the setup was intentionally simple and mobile:
- Backdrop: A 5×7 backdrop from Intuition Backgrounds (in Xia) – affordable, lightweight, and even safe to get wet. We used canvas, but fabric, fleece or their new Lunara material would work as well.
- Backdrop Stand: A compact T-bar stand that can be moved and stabilized quickly, even in uneven terrain.
- Camera Gear: Canon EOS R5 with a 28-70mm f/2 lens. Shooting at f/2 creates beautiful shallow depth of field, helping the subject pop against both the backdrop and the surrounding landscape.
Key Tips for Photographing Backdrops Outdoors
1. Use the Environment — Don’t Hide It
When shooting on-location, make the setting part of your composition.
Going wide with your lens allows you to frame the model, the backdrop, and the environment all in one image. If you zoom too tight, it may just look like a studio shot outdoors.
Settings: f/2 @ 1/800, ISO 50
Settings: f/2 @ 1/1000, ISO 50
Settings: f/2 @ 1/800, ISO 50
Settings: f/2 @ 1/500, ISO 50
2. Match (or Intentionally Contrast) Colors
3. Stabilize Your Setup
If you’re placing your backdrop in sand or shallow water, make sure it’s secure. Push your backdrop stand into the ground or have an assistant stabilize it. A T-bar backdrop stand is great for quick, mobile adjustments.
4. Don’t Be Afraid to Get Wet
One of the best moments from the shoot came from placing the backdrop directly into the water. It looked surreal and cinematic — something that simply isn’t possible in the studio. Be creative and unafraid of pushing your materials (just make sure they’re water-safe!).
Settings: f/2 @ 1/500, ISO 50
Settings: f/2 @ 1/500, ISO 50
Settings: f/2 @ 1/640, ISO 50
Settings: f/2 @ 1/500, ISO 50
5. Play with Movement
Settings: f/2 @ 1/400, ISO 50
Settings: f/2 @ 1/250, ISO 50
Settings: f/2 @ 1/250, ISO 50
Settings: f/2 @ 1/400, ISO 50
Final Thoughts: Elevate Your Creativity
Taking backdrops on-location is more than just a trend — it’s a way to reinvigorate your creativity and create images that stand out. Whether you’re on a beach, in a field, or deep in the forest, a simple backdrop can transform the ordinary into something cinematic.
So next time you’re feeling stuck, grab your favorite backdrop, head outdoors, and shoot something unforgettable.
