This post has been updated to reflect the best and most beautiful props to use for cozy book photos.
Cozy bookstagram photos are my jam.
Instagram is filled with bookish content creators. Some accounts categorize themselves as cottagecore, others are dark academia, and some people don’t prefer to stick with a theme at all. When I launched my account in January of 2020, I already knew what kinds of vibes I wanted to give off: cozy, autumnal (year-round), and Gilmore Girl-level coffeeholic. This felt like a natural progression, because those are the elements that I love the most in photos, and it gave me the opportunity to be really creative!
The next step was to choose my go-to photo props. I already had a list of flatlay products that worked really well for my fashion posts and the styled photography that I used for Pinterest graphics. However, rounding up items that fit my new cozy bookstagram theme was slightly more time-consuming, and it took a bit of trial and error, along with some internet deep-diving!
If you’re hoping to start a cozy bookstagram, in this post you’ll find a FREE DOWNLOADABLE CHECKLIST with over 30 props that I recommend, plus the bookish stores I frequent for additional items that suit my content.
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I’ve created a simple checklist with all of the items that I find most useful to create a cozy bookstagram aesthetic. Sign up below to get access to this exclusive list that will make photo-taking 10x easier for you!
I highly recommend looking on both bookstagram and Etsy for wonderful small businesses to support. I’ve already discovered so many favorites!
When you order from these shops, you’re helping out a small business owner, purchasing products that you’ll absolutely love in your everyday life, and getting great props in the process! You can find over 21 bookish shops to browse for props and other fun merch in this post!
In addition to both the checklist and my list of recommended stores, below you can shop some of the items found in my own photos!
Do you like the cozy bookstagram aesthetic?
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Loïne says
This article is everything!!! Taking pictures for bookstagram is so difficult! I can’t wait to receive the checklist! 🥰
Stephanie Whitman says
It can definitely be a challenge, but once it becomes a routine and you get to have fun with it, it’s not so difficult anymore! Let me know what you think of the checklist!!
Jessica Khater says
I absolutely loved the article, the advice and most importantly the photos. They made me feel warm and cozy. I will keep them in mind whenever taking the picture of a book.
Stephanie Whitman says
That’s so kind of you, thank you! I definitely always try to provide cozy warmth with my photos. These are from last year, but they still make me happy 🙂
Charley Allison says
I love these suggestions!! One of my friends is setting up a Bookstagram page so I’ll definitely be sharing this with her! Thank you!
Stephanie Whitman says
That’s so exciting! You’ll have to let me know their handle so we can connect 🙂
Lucy says
Your photography is always aesthetically pleasing and I always look forward to not only reading your posts, but seeing what photo’s are in it too! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
Stephanie Whitman says
That’s so sweet of you! Thank you, friend! I absolutely love having a creative outlet. It has given me so many great opportunities to grow with my photography.
Rach says
This post is so helpful! I love to write about the books I read, but I have zero creativity when it comes to taking photos with books. So I am for sure using your recommendations!
http://www.rdsobsessions.com
Stephanie Whitman says
I don’t think that’s true! I always look forward to seeing your book posts – and your photos stay within your theme: bright and colorful and happy! I think they’re great 🙂
Lee says
I LOVE all your bookstagram photography – it has such a specific style I can always tell when a photo is yours. Its so quality and so pretty!
Stephanie Whitman says
Awwwww that makes me so happy to hear, thank you! I definitely work to maintain that aesthetic that I dreamt up before I launched. It’s so fun to see how it all flows together now.
Stephani says
I love your photos! They are always so warm and inviting and instantly give me all the cozy vibes! You’re really good at putting different items together to get that look and feel!
Xo, Steph
Stephanie Whitman says
That’s so wonderful to hear! Thank you very much for the encouragement 🙂 I definitely want to provide a cozy and inviting space for people (bookish or not).
Marissa says
What a lovely and useful post! Props are really so important, I’ve bought many over the past few months to take nice photos of my products for my Etsy store. It just occurred to me that I don’t take anything BUT flatlays, and I think that needs to change soon!
Your photos are very beautiful by the way! Actual goals.
Stephanie Whitman says
Props are super important! I started with just some dollar store items, then some from Etsy or other bookish shops, and now my collection is quite extensive haha. I think they’re so much fun to utilize in photos. I love your pics! Everything is so bright and cheery!
Lindsey says
I love your aesthetic! I have to admit I don’t put nearly the effort into Instagram that I should just because I can never get my pictures to do what I want – I still haven’t worked out what I’m going for. There are some great tips here, thank you!
Stephanie Whitman says
I understand that! Sometimes I schedule an entire day to take photos – only for them to all flop. But if you just keep trying, you’ll definitely succeed and create photos you love!
Merry Sari says
I alwaaayss love your photos! I make the list and hope can buy them one by one haha thank you for sharing this 😀
Stephanie Whitman says
Ahh thank you so much! Let me know what you think when you receive the checklist! I hope it’s helpful 🙂
Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication says
I love you cozy, Autumn vibe and you totally nail it! You’re such a talented photographer! Following you has definitely motivated me to elevate my game a lot of flat lays.
Stephanie Whitman says
That’s so sweet of you! Thank you so much for the encouragement. It makes me giggle when I think back to my first few flatlays 6+ years ago. They were dreadful. I think I’ve upped my game a bit since then. Flatlays are a blast, though. You can get so creative with them!
Sarah Lindner says
Always love how cozy your book photos look and these are some great tips. Props can make all the difference!
Stephanie Whitman says
Thanks so much! I definitely agree. Props are a huge game-changer, if used properly!
Lizzie says
What an awesome post! I always love your photos – they definitely give me that cozy vibe. You have the best props too!
Lizzie
http://www.lizzieinlace.com
Stephanie Whitman says
That’s so sweet of you, thank you! I try to stay creative with my props as much as I can 🙂
Candace Hampton says
Supporting small businesses is the way to go. Thank you for emphasizing this in your post. I love how you have accessorized your book photos. Having a good check list makes it easier and less likely to forget something. Keep up the great work!
Stephanie Whitman says
Absolutely! I do my best to try and use lots of fun items from bookish shops whenever I can. There are so many awesome ones I’ve found on bookstagram!
Amanda says
You are absolutely nailing this aesthetic, I adore your photos! Thanks for sharing these shops, I’d like to purchase more unique items from small shops so this is a perfect resource.
Stephanie Whitman says
Thank you so much! It’s so much fun to find those unique pieces from smaller shops – and then I feel even better about making the purchases!
ShootingStarsMag says
Ooh fun post. I’m always trying to do new things with my Bookstagram. I don’t have a set theme, because I like to mix it up, but I’m all about props you can reuse. I need to check out some of these shops.
K.J. Haakenson says
Ahh you’re bookstagram is SO aesthetic and you are absolutely right: it totally gives off all year round Gilmore Girls vibes!! I love all of these ideas! I think I have sort of a light academia aesthetic on my bookstagram right now but I am dying for autumn so I’ll have to start incorporating some coziness in soon 😉
Alexis says
Ahh, I don’t have the money to be buying new props but now I want to! I’ve also been wanting to try out Janzy Wax Co after seeing all of your photos and positive thoughts on them!
Stephanie Whitman says
That makes me so happy. Janzy’s candles are the literal best. Well, I know I’m biased, but I’m also super allergic to soy so it’s nice to have one company I can buy bookish candles from!