This post is all about the best book photography ideas for bookstagrammers.
Struggling to find book photo ideas? I’ve been there. I could not for the life of me figure out how fellow bookstagrammers created such jaw-dropping, magazine-worthy photos, while mine were just meh…
I was as green as Elphaba looking at all those beautiful feeds, wondering if mine could ever measure up.
But here’s the thing — those dreamy, double-tap-worthy book photos? They’re not magic. After a year of trial and error, learning from others, and maybe a few minor bookstagram-related meltdowns, I cracked the code.
Now I’m sharing everything I learned, from lighting tricks, my favorite prop ideas, and the perfect bookish backdrop.
No fancy equipment required — just some clever tricks that’ll make your followers stop scrolling and start saving.
Let’s dive right in!
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1. CREATE A PHOTO BACKDROP
A lot of book photos on Bookstagram photos feature stunning backdrops such as landscapes or stunning bookshelves. You can do either as long as you have access to good lighting. However, you can also manufacture a stunning, yet simple backdrop. You’ll need:
- A Poster board (this is your canvas)
- Pages from an old Book (I know it hurts, but rip those pages!)
- A glue stick
- Flower stickers
- Theme-appropriate photos (gothic imagery, nature shots, whatever matches your book’s vibe)
- Good lighting (artificial lighting works great!)
- Twinkle lights (everything could use a little sparkle)
- Nicknacks and/or Props (grab whatever fits your book’s vibe)
Bookstagrammer @thebookishmusician inspired this lovely idea. Be sure to check out her page for more inspiration.
The real magic happens when you start playing around with different combinations. Mix and match until something clicks. Remember, the most captivating book photography often tells a story beyond just showing a cover – they create a whole mood, a little world that draws viewers in.
2. USE BOOK MERCHANDISE
I saw Wicked and — not surprisingly—I was obsessed! Naturally, I went and bought some Wicked-related merch. Nothing too crazy—just some Wicked-themed bookmarks, and an enamel pin I got from the movie theater.
I already had a tiara so I decided to include that too. I put them all together, added some twinkle lights and Voila! Book photography magic!
Like the tiara and want to use it for your own photos? Click the link to find it on Etsy.
Want to create your own storybook-worthy photos? If you’re a Bookstagrammer who receives ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) promo boxes, you’ve got a goldmine of props right there.
Take the promo box I received for Jessica Carrasquillo’s The Manchineel — even with my then-amateur photography skills, the themed items transformed a simple book photo into something that told its own story.
* Side Note: This book was friggin amazing!
3. TELL A STORY WITH BOOK PHOTOGRAPHY
Time to put your creativity hats on when it comes to your book photography. Become an artist! What was the book about? What were the themes? What was the vibe?
In Four Winds by Kristin Hannah, a struggling family migrates from Texas to California in pursuit of a better life. Therefore, I incorporated my United States puzzle pieces of California and Texas. The family lived in a rural area so I went down to a pond pulled some plants that fit the vibe. I put it all together and created this photo.
See where I’m going with this?
Here’s another example: In The Manchineel, a poisonous fruit that comes from a manchineel tree looks similar to a green apple so I went down to Hobby Lobby (a craft store) and purchased some fake apples.
Then I arranged them into a little heart because this book was centered around a dark romance.
Last example, In Amy Tintera’s suspense novel, Listen For The Lie by Amy Tintera, a bloody hammer makes an appearance. Headphones were used because this book features a crime podcast.
Also, I used red lighting using my LED video light and a hammer and applied red paint on it to make it look sinister.
Lastly, I arranged some scrabble letters I got from the dollar store to spell out “Let’s Kill”, a phrase often uttered in the book.
Let your imagination go wild and find what items you can use to match your book’s theme and tell a captivating visual story with your Bookstagram photos.
4. GET CREATIVE WITH FLAT LAYS
Every bookstagrammer’s home is a treasure trove of props hiding in plain sight. Those stacks of books aren’t just for reading—they’re your ticket to creating stunning flat-lay photos.
The key? Light, and lots of it.
Whether you’re working with golden hour sunlight streaming through your window or a well-placed artificial light source, proper lighting makes the difference between a flat photo and one that makes viewers stop scrolling.
Take a cue from talented bookstagrammer @the_abundant_word, who’s mastered the art of turning simple book pages into visual poetry. Check out her page for more inspiring book photography ideas.
5. MAKE YOUR BOOK PHOTOS SHINE WITH JEWELRY
Think about it – those sparkly necklaces and glittering rings are literally designed to catch eyes. They’re perfect for adding that extra pop to your book photos.
I discovered this trick while photographing Pretty Things by Janelle Brown. The jewelry wasn’t just pretty to look at – it actually tied into the book’s theme perfectly. Talk about a happy accident!
Sometimes the best props are sitting right there in your drawer, waiting to make your bookstagram photos magical.
6. ADD MAGIC WITH TWINKLE LIGHTS
Want to know a secret weapon for stunning book photos? Twinkle lights. But not just any twinkle lights — I’m talking about those smart LED fairy lights that sync with your phone.
They’re a game-changer. One minute you’re shooting with moody blues, the next you’ve switched to an eye-catching red perfectly matches your book’s cover.
Using the color red for the lights in my photo of A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson really made the cover art pop.
I’ve lost count of how many of my photos these little lights have transformed from “meh” to “magical.” Twinkle, Twinkle!
Pro tip: Try wrapping them loosely around your books or letting them cascade in the background.
7. USE PLANTS FOR STUNNING BOOK PHOTOS
Want to transform your book photos from bland to breathtaking? Add some plants. It’s that simple.
A few strategically placed leaves or flowers can turn a basic shot into something magical.
Don’t worry if you’re notorious for killing every plant that crosses your threshold—fake ones work just as well.
Your local craft store probably has an entire aisle dedicated to artificial plants that look surprisingly real.
I put this trick to the test while shooting The Mysteries of the Southern Gothic by Jessica Carrasquillo. Since the story unfolds in the swampy depths of Florida, I created an eerie bayou vibe using artificial shrubs, moss, and a few mysterious-looking faux plants.
The result? A photo that captured the book’s haunting atmosphere perfectly.
8. SHOWCASE YOUR PETS
(If They’ll Let You)
My cats give me the bombastic side eye whenever I try to get them to pose for my book photos. *SIGH* But if you’re lucky enough to have an agreeable pet, you can really get some really adorable shots.
Take bookstagrammer @meowandbooks for example. Poppy, the cat, has mastered the art of both serving looks and serving up book recommendations.
This furry influencer proves that four paws and literature are a match made in social media heaven. Check out this bookstagrammer for more fur baby book photography ideas.
People love furbabies. Want proof that pets and books are the ultimate combo? My highest-performing reel to date features my cat trying to destroy my laptop case and running her little paws all over the keyboard.
I will never understand why was this was so popular, but if it works it works!
Put your pets to work and grow your bookstagram account with adorable book photography.
9. USE FOOD AND DRINK IN YOUR BOOK PHOTOS
Let’s be honest: we’ve all been guilty of stopping mid-scroll when we spot a mouth-watering photo on social media. So why not use this psychology to make your book photography more captivating?
Bonus points if the food actually relates to the book. Reading a book set in a bakery? Add some baked goods. Is the book set in Italy? Add an Italian dish like spaghetti and meatballs.
Adding food to your book photos isn’t just clever—it’s a proven way to grab attention.
But don’t feel pressured to get too fancy. Even that muffin you’re munching on or your morning cup of coffee can transform an ordinary book photo into something special.
The key is to have fun with it—some of the best shots come from simply playing around with whatever’s in your kitchen.
Remember: food makes everything more inviting, even books. When it comes to food, the book photography ideas are endless.
10. TRANSFORM YOUR BOOK PHOTOS WITH THE MAGIC OF MIRRORS
Want to add some sparkle to your bookish photos? Mirrors and reflective surfaces are your secret weapons. They’re not just for selfies — they can turn an ordinary book shot into something magical.
I learned this firsthand when photographing my copy of Gregory Maguire’s “Wicked.” By positioning a mirror to catch my blurred bookshelf in the background, I created depth that matched the novel’s darker themes (trust me, the book is way more sinister than the musical). The reflection added layers of mystery, perfect for capturing the story’s essence.
But don’t just take my word for it. Bookstagrammer @scrollwhisper takes this technique to another level.
In one of her most captivating shots, she placed a mirrored surface beneath a carefully arranged stack of books.
The reflection caught not just the spines, but also the soft glow of string lights above, creating a dreamy, double-layered wonderland that stops thumbs mid-scroll. Definitely check out her posts for amazing book photography ideas.
Think of reflective surfaces as a way to tell two stories at once — what’s in front of the lens, and what’s being mirrored back.
Play around with angles, experiment with different surfaces, and watch your book photography transform from simple shots into visual stories that demand attention.
11. SHOW OFF YOUR BOOK ANNOTATING SKILLS
One of my new skills is book annotating. I love it so much, and even though it makes the reading process take a little longer, I appreciate it as a book blogger.
By the time I get to write the review of the book I last read, I have usually forgotten a few key points that I wanted to make or important quotes. Book annotation makes that process a little easier.
Bookstagrammer @the_abundant_word often shows off her annotations in her posts. Check out her post for awesome book photography ideas.
Highlight you favorite passage and post it on bookstagram! Easy Peasy!
Are you curious about annotating, if so check out my post “How To Annotate Books”.
PHOTO EDITING FOR BOOK PHOTOGRAPHY
So you’ve got an amazing photo all ready to go. The last step is to polish it off by using a photo editing tool that will allow use to edit the lighting, contrast, saturation, vibrancy, etc.
My favorite mobile editing apps are Adobe Express and Lightroom. I also like the pre-loaded filter that comes already included in my iPhone 14.
I also like to set my setting to portrait mode whenever it’s suits the photograph. Play around with these settings to come up with fantastic bookstagram photos .
There you have it! Those are my best book photography ideas that are sure to take your bookstagram photos to the next level.
Drop your ideas in the comments below; after all, the best part of our reading community is learning from each other.
Also, if you’ve enjoyed this post be share to share this post with your fellow bookstagrammers and/or share this on Pinterest.
Thanks for reading!
