When I first started out doing food photography, I had the hardest time finding cake stands. In almost a decade, I think I’ve only ever found two cake stands at Thrift Stores!
Maybe I’m just unlucky…
Cake stands are a must-have prop for any food photographer and they can be expensive. Ideally, every food photographer should have a couple of cake stands to use with different sized cakes.
This simple hack for a diy cake stands for food photography will save you money, give you more creative options and improve your cake photography!
Let’s take a look at the three main ways I make these diy props for food photography.
DIY CAKE STANDS IDEA 1: PINCH BOWL + PLATE
First up is my favourite diy cake stand.
It uses a pinch bowl and a plate! Genius, because I have so many little pinch bowls that I can really mix it up depending on what height and size cake I have.
IDEA 2: TRAY + STAND
This next diy cake stand hack uses cake stands that you already have and turns them into new ones.
To do this, you’ll need cake stands that have removable stands. When I buy cake stands I look for ones with removable bases for this exact reason.
It gives me endless options for composition and styling.
RELATED: Food Photography Prop Checklist – Build Your Collection The Right Way.
DIY CAKE STAND IDEA 3: STACKED PLATES
Stacked plates can make for great diy props for food photography.
I tend to use different sized plates to add some dimension and usually focus on 2-3 plates.
This gives height like a cake stand and brings a different look.
You’ll see in these two images that the pavlova on the single plate looks like, well a cake on a plate. But if you use 2-3 plates, it gives it more of a diy cake stand look.
IDEA 4: BAKING TIN + PLATE
This hack is like the staked plate idea, but combines both a plate and a baking tin.
I usually go for round baking tins as most cakes are round shapes.
Do you have any diy cake stands hacks? I’d love to hear what you do to make your prop collection go further. Leave me a comment, I’d love to know what you use!
Lynsey
Fab tips as usual Rachel, thank you for sharing them!! 🙂
I use the dip bowl idea too but sometimes if I want to add a little extra height I’ll use a cup or a mug and just face the handle away from the camera. It’s worked a treat in the past. Oh and I have NEVER found a cake stand in our charity shops, I must be looking in the wrong places!! Hahaha xxx
Rachel Korinek
I never found any cake stands in charity hopes when I lived in Australia either! In BC, I’ve been lucky twice – but they are indeed hard to come by. I love the mug idea – that is brilliant!! Thanks for sharing that.
Lorraine
Wow, I definitely don’t have a creative mind. Thank you so much for these awesome tips, definitely going to try it for my next cake shoot 🙂
Rachel Korinek
You’re so welcome Lorraine! My best tip is to find cake stands with removal bases – so many options! Glad you like the post. Let me know how it goes with your next shoot! Getting that perfect height is so important in composition.
Davinia
Oh this is so handy thank you. I’m not a regular cake maker so a diy cake stand would be great. If I try this method I’ll be sure to let you know.
Dee Beau
These are fabulous ideas!!! Thanks for sharing these! Spray paint is my creative bff!
I have also seen a glass or crystal candle holder glued to the base of a glass plate.
Ready to go experiment now!
Cheers!
Rachel Korinek
Oh yes, that’s awesome! I am always worried to spray glass as I never think it will work. Is there a undercoat as such I can use? There are so many awesome DIY options right! Thanks for sharing.
Rachel Korinek
Yes that’s a great way to save on space if you just need a cake stand now and then! 🙂
Vicky
Wow, thank you so much for the amazing tips! I loved them ♥️
Rachel Korinek
So glad you enjoyed them Vicky! They are great tips, it’s good to be flexible with props right 🙂
Moe
I do the same thing but for cupcake stands! I can never seem to find any proper cupcake stands, so I just use a cup and saucer. The Chinese ones are nice because they’re a lot smaller 🙂
Rachel Korinek
Ah, love that tip! Thanks for sharing. Those smaller cups for bases are a really good idea.
Albertina Geller
Rachel this is the most beautiful photograph ever!! Thank you for sharing the tips hope I can also click some beautiful photos.
Rachel Korinek
Thank you Albertina! So nice to hear that you like them. I am sure you will 🙂
Jasmin
Rachel, thank you for these tips. I love number 3 and 4 stands. ?Can’t wait to try it out.
Rachel Korinek
Yay! Some others who’ve have left comments have some good tips as well 🙂
Omega
Amazing tips Rachel!!!??? who needs a cake stand now huh??
Rachel Korinek
Hey Omega! I know right, so many great options to make your own. Comes in handy for sure 🙂 Which was your favourite tip?