!!! 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.