!!! The Prop Swap didn’t gain enough interest from Australian Food Bloggers, so we’ve cancelled this one and will consider doing something different down the road. My apologies to those who signed on.
For Aussie food bloggers there’s no longer a need to look longingly at the US Food Blogger Prop Swap because we’re now getting our own! Joanne Ferguson from What’s on the List and I are working with Faith from An Edible Mosaic and Alyssa from Everyday Maven to make the Food Blogger Prop Swap a reality in Australia.
Why do we need props for our food photographs?
Top food photography Ilva Beretta says:
“Props make food photographs better and create an atmosphere and environment for a photo. Props create a setting or mood in photos that makes viewer think about what photographer is trying to communicate. Ilva gives an example of a red sauce on brown plate that makes photo look bad.”
The way it works:
Food bloggers often get tired of using the same props and this is an opportunity to swap the ones you’ve used several times with those from another blogger who has the same problem. I’m sure we all have used one particular napkin way too many times.
There are no new purchases required – just swap used props for another blogger’s used props. Not only is it a way to get new things to enhance your photography but it’s a new way to network with another food writer. If we all stick with a Prepaid Parcel Post Medium 3 kg Envelope, for $12.73, it will be fair swap for everyone.
Who can participate?
Food bloggers/writers in Australia. If you’ve posted in the past 6 months, you can swap. You must have a real blog – WordPress, Blogspot, Tumblr, etc. Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter are nice but they aren’t blogs, sorry. Blogs will be checked before matches are assigned.
How can you participate?
Respond to this post with a comment that says, “Yes!” or comment on Joanne’s post or email either of us through our contact page. We want as many people as possible to participate. Networking with other bloggers has done more to promote my blog than anything else I’ve done, so join in!
Once you send and receive your swap, we’d love to see a post with a photo of what you’ve received and link it back to the Australian Food Blogger Prop Swap here on OrgasmicChef and on Joanne’s What’s on the List. We’ll link to you all!
What can I swap?
Anything unbreakable. Nothing edible. This is a plastic mail satchel that’s going to be tossed so serviettes, placemats, table cloths, paper, baskets, serving pieces, cutlery, quirky things – use your imagination. Consider using bubble wrap for anything that needs protecting.
Make sure your items will go well in a food photograph – we’re building relationships. The weight limit is 3kg, please.
Also, remember that you’re not going to get your things back so choose wisely. For a food photographer, it will be like Christmas!
Deadlines:
Yes, there are deadlines or nothing would get done (at least at my house).
Thursday July 25th through 5pm Australian Eastern Standard Time August 4th – Signup Deadline.
August 11th you’ll receive your Prop Swap Match. You’ll know who your swapping partner is.
August 12th – mail your Australia Post envelopes filled with lovely props. Send them anytime during the week of August 12th but the sooner you do the better or you’ll be like me and get busy and forget.
Thursday, August 22nd – post your reveal photos. Everyone wants to see what was swapped – especially me.
DISCLAIMER:
Joanne and I are organizing and hosting this event. As co-hosts, we assume no legal liability or responsibility, and will not be responsible for items that are lost or damaged in the mail, or for sending packages on behalf of bloggers who back out at the last minute.
Thank you soooooooooooooooo much Maureen for co-hosting this food blogger prop swap with me!
Not only is it a great way to pass on “pre-loved” props, but what I love about blogging is the sense of community and how friendly everyone can be!
Cheers! Joanne
YES!!!
What’s On the List?
Yes for me too!
Yes yes yes yes yes I am totally in. Brilliant idea!
Yay!
What a fantastic idea! Well done on this initiative.
I hope you’ll join us?
What a great idea!
Are you in?
A fantastic idea! Today I actually used some of the props that the gorgeous Faith sent me for Christmas! 😀
Say you’ll join in? 🙂
Count me in I am sure I can part with something.
I a teeny bit jealous 🙁
Looking forward to seeing all the swaps though 🙂
I’d swap with you. 🙂
I won’t be participating (since I don’t really cook at home and style my shots) but I love this idea! Look forward to seeing the results in Australia 🙂
I know, you eat out more than anyone I know. It will be fun to see the swaps though.
Great idea. Do not live in Australia but looking forward to seeing the props.
This is so fun! I can’t wait to see what you receive in August!!!
A HUGE thank-you to you and Joanne for making this event possible in Australia, Maureen! I hope you all have so much fun with it!
Hi Faith, I’m really looking forward to meeting new people and getting some good stuff swapped. Thanks a lot for your support.
Can’t wait to see the results of the swap; sounds like fun.
me too.. almost like Christmas for a kitchen person like me
Not in because of course I don’t live in Australia, but I’ll bet you guys are going to have a ton of fun! Looking forward to seeing what everyone gets.
So excited to see how the Prop Swap Australia goes – I hope everyone who participates has as much fun as we did!!!
I hope we get a good response – I think it will be fun.
What a great idea Maureen. Now, if only I had even one clue about food styling, or some props to actually swap …..
Come on Amanda, you can do it. Go to the reject shop and get a placemat, some straws, a paper doily.. we want you. 🙂
great, I’m in!
I’m so glad!
I love this idea. However, I only keep props I love and can’t imagine getting rid ofthem, as I use them for imaging and when people are here. I use it all! Can’t wait to see what people exchange, though. Keep me ‘posted’.
yes – I do like all my props but also love the idea of swapping – will have to check my blog prop box!
Thanks!
Sounds like fun Maureen. I’m such a prop junkie!
I want to be a prop junkie 🙂
I’m in! Fantastic idea 🙂
Yay! Thanks, Rosie!
You are so creative Maureen and so full of great ideas. Excellent. I definitely could do with some ‘new’ props xx
I hope this means you’re in 🙂
Great idea! I wish I was in Australia as I am so in need of a change in my props. I also pray for good daylight to take some photos as we are on our second week of non-stop rain in Hong Kong.
Sorry I don’t live in Australia. This sounds like fun!
I’m sorry you’re not here too 🙂
What a great idea Maureen & Jo!
I would love to join in. Can’t wait to go through my props ready for swapping 🙂
Cool! I’m so glad you’re joining in, Julie!
Glad to read all about the excitement Maureen surrounding the food prop swap too!
If people don’t currently have props but would like to participate, can always head down to their local two dollar stores…it is about the “caring and sharing” and we hope to get more Aussie food bloggers on board as it is about fun!
Thanks to Alyssa from EveryDay Maven and Faith from An Edible Mosaic for their food bloggers swap USA…
Let’s show them what us Aussie food bloggers can not do? OK? 🙂
Cheers! Joanne
I think it’s just a great way to network with local food bloggers. The more we work together the stronger we all become.
I said I’d like to swap – and I still do… But I have hardly any props so mine will definitely have to be from $2 shop. Can I swap with some one in the same boat? I’d hate to get someone’s treasured items, and for them to get my red dot stuff in return.
I’m sure we can work something out, Rosie!
Now that sounds like a brilliant event idea!! how does it come that I hadn’t heard of this before (maybe I did but never understood what it was) . So, perhaps time that India has something like this too lol. Have fun ladies!
Brilliant!!