10 Best Photography Backdrops & Backgrounds (2018)

best photography backdrops

Picking the right gear for using photography backgrounds and backdrops is as simple as knowing what your goals are and what you need. In this list, we cover four types of gear: backdrops (with no stand), stand kits, stand kits with backdrops, and stand kits with backdrops and lighting kits. All of these will help one use backdrops effectively, but you may or may not need the most robust kits. For instance, if you have a flash unit or are shooting for an au naturale look, you may not need a lighting kit. One can also use a backdrop outside, without a stand, if you have the right setup for its (perhaps a wall or tree to hang it on).

In the end, the easiest to use kits are the ones that come fully ready to go, but one can also buy each of these elements piecemeal to satisfying results. If this interests you, you can pick out some items on this list, then supplement them with one of the best lighting kits.

All that out of the way, here’s the best photography backdrops from lowest to highest price.

1. MoHoo Cherry Blossoms (Stand not included)

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MoHoo

For those who already own a stand and a lighting kit, this is just a simple yet effective backdrop for taking lively and attractive photos. Users love it for its durable, easy-to-wash texture, and it’s a decent size (35 square feet). It’s a great image for users taking romantic, childlike, and Spring-oriented photos.

Price: $20.26

Buy the MoHoo Cherry Blossoms here.


Pros:

  • Praised as great background
  • Lightweight and durable
  • 7 x 5 foot background
  • High-quality construction
  • On plastic, durable material

Cons:

  • Just an image on a background (backdrop only)
  • One user found the image quality poor

Find more MoHoo Cherry Blossoms information and reviews here.


2. MoHoo Blue Wood (Stand not included)

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MoHoo

This is another popular background that users enjoy. It’s a great print for photographs with a rustic yet joyful feel. Users love it for its solid construction and easy-to-clean surface. It’s fade-resistant and guaranteed to last.

Price: $20.65 (41 percent off MSRP)

Buy the MoHoo Blue Wood here.


Pros:

  • Fade-resistant, easy-to-wash material
  • Colors praised as vibrant
  • Great for amateur studios
  • Pictures look professional and background looks real

Cons:

  • Solely a backdrop; user must have stand separately
  • One user said that ironing was required to get it straightened out

Find more MoHoo Blue Wood information and reviews here.


3. MoHoo Colorful Brick Wall (Stand not included)

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MoHoo

The final MoHoo backdrop on our list might be the most interesting. This colorful brick wall exudes a retro vibe or perhaps LGBTQ. Really, it’s just a plain fun background that is bound to make any subject pop. Blurred out it looks great (for those shooting with a low f-stop). Sharp, it’s interesting yet not too eye-catching. All MoHoo backgrounds are praised as high quality, easy-to-wash and being durable.

Price: $21.36

Buy the MoHoo Colorful Brick Wall here.


Pros:

  • Waterproof, durable and wrinkle-free
  • Colors are praised as unbelievably bright
  • Vinyl-ish texture, can be hand-washed
  • 7 x 5 feet is big enough for most portraits

Cons:

  • Simple background; no included lights or stands
  • One user wanted background to be bigger

Find more MoHoo Colorful Brick Wall information and reviews here.


4. Neewer 5x7ft Background (Stand not included)

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Neewer

This is the final standalone background on our list: a Neewer White Wall. It boasts a rustic, yet classy vibe that evokes a serene yet happy and bright feeling. Or perhaps not. It’s a fairly neutral background that will respond well to objects as well as subjects in a variety of moods and tones. This is the perfect background who want something with a bit more texture than all white, but don’t want to make anything too complicated. It’s simple and elegant. The backdrop quality is excellent and users love it for its natural look, wrinkle-free appearance, and that it is easy to wash.

Price: $28.99

Buy the Neewer 5x7ft Background here.


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Neewer


Pros:

  • Lightweight backdrop easy to hang up
  • Small size, but should work for most portraits
  • Easy to wash; just use warm water and dish sponge
  • Said to look natural
  • Doesn’t wrinkle easily

Cons:

  • Just a background
  • Can be damaged easily, if stepped on for instance

Find more Neewer 5x7ft Background information and reviews here.


5. LimoStudio Backdrop Support System

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LimoStudio

If you like above backdrops but need a stand to hang the backgrounds on, this is about the most affordable way to do so. This LimoStudio stand allows one to hang a backdrop from 8.5″ high. The width is adjustable between five and ten feet. It’s a great starter kit and works well indoors. It can be used outdoors, but the construction isn’t amazingly well-geared for this. That said, with some sandbags and tape, it should be more than fine. For those looking to get started using backdrops in their photography, this is a great starting point.

Price: $35.89

Buy the LimoStudio Backdrop Support System here.


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LimoStudio


Pros:

  • Described as a great value
  • Lightweight
  • Can be used outdoors with sandbags or another weight
  • Great for muslin and other non-heavy backgrounds
  • Easy to assemble

Cons:

  • Backdrop sags slightly in the morning
  • One user found it to be a bit flimsy

Find more LimoStudio Backdrop Support System information and reviews here.


6. LimoStudio White Chromakey Backdrop

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LimoStudio

For those looking for a stand with a simple white backdrop included, this white chromakey (like a green screen but for different colors) backdrop is great. Users love it for its simple setup, great value, and huge coverage of 10′ x 12′. This is a great beginner kit if you’re taking elegant, fancy portraits. White is also a common background color for product shots.

Price: $46.99

Buy the LimoStudio White Chromakey Backdrop here.


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LimoStudio


Pros:

  • 10ft x 12ft for full coverage
  • Praised as great value for the price
  • Simple and easy to set-up
  • Backdrops are thick and reflect light well

Cons:

  • One user had an issue with wrinking
  • On the fragile side

Find more LimoStudio White Chromakey Backdrop information and reviews here.


7. Fovitec StudioPro

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Fovitec

If you’re looking for a portable backdrop solution, this collapsible Fovitec StudioPro offers an attractive background straight out of a K-Mart school picture in a form factor that makes it portable and easy to use. It’s clearly intended for portraits and users rave about its use for corporate headshots and similarly staid applications.

Price: $54.95 (24 percent off MSRP)

Buy the Fovitec StudioPro here.


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Fovitec


Pros:

  • Muslin backdrop that’s portable and collapsible
  • Great for corporate headshots
  • Two sides each with its own appearance
  • Sturdy with great quality

Cons:

  • A small percentage of users had issues with wrinkling
  • One user said the material was too reflective
  • Can be hard to collapse for short people

Find more Fovitec StudioPro information and reviews here.


8. Neewer Max Height Backdrop Support System

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Neewer

At 11.5′ wide and 10.6′ tall, this Neewer Backdrop Support System is great for users who need a lot of vertical headroom. It’s sturdy, well-built and made out of high quality aluminum. Users love it for its light weight and flexibility in arranging a backdrop creatively.

Price: $104.99

Buy the Neewer Max Height Backdrop Support System here.


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Neewer


Pros:

  • 11.5 feet wide, 10.6 feet tall
  • Made out of high-quality aluminum
  • Sturdy and well-built
  • Lightweight
  • Flexible; can be used for creatively arranging backdrop

Cons:

  • No instructions
  • Crossbar can be a bit saggy

Find more Neewer Max Height Backdrop Support System information and reviews here.


9. Excelvan Photography Lighting Kit

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Excelvan

This is the first full kit on our list and it offers a ton of value. Boasting three backdrops (white, black, and green) and two softbox lights, this is a kit that will leave you completely prepared for backdrop photography. The only reason to upgrade to the kit below would be if you want more robust lighting or need larger dimensions than 5.9′ x 9.18′.

Price: $119.99

Buy the Excelvan Photography Lighting Kit here.


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Excelvan


Pros:

  • One year warranty from manufacturer
  • Includes two soft box lights
  • Three backgrounds for a solid variety of looks
  • Praised as high quality, affordable lighting kit

Cons:

  • One user had an issue with the backdrops
  • For photography, backgrounds may be a bit boring or require extra work in post to change out (such as with green screen or chroma key)

Find more Excelvan Photography Lighting Kit information and reviews here.


10. Neewer 10ft Background Support System

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Neewer

For those looking for the best possible kit with all of the features one could possibly ask for, this Neewer kit includes a background support system, four bright bulbs, and two different types of light: softbox and umbrella. Users agree that it’s a great starter lighting kit and as above, it has a white, green, and black backdrop. Not only that, this kit offers an edge from the above it by being a full 10′ tall, meaning it should be able to accommodate any and all users. It’s a great way to get started using backdrops and backgrounds at a very reasonable price.

Price: $149.99

Buy the Neewer 10ft Background Support System here.


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Neewer


Pros:

  • Four bulbs for plenty of brightness and versatility
  • Two different types of lights: softbox and umbrella
  • Great as a starter lighter kit
  • Good variety of backdrops; can accept other backdrops for more variety

Cons:

  • One user said they wouldn’t work on a windy day
  • Some found lights to be not bright enough (800 ISO to shoot at 1/100)

Find more Neewer 10ft Background Support System information and reviews here.


Still looking for the right photography backdrop? Browse more top-rated backdrops on Amazon.


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