The best backdrops for photography are absolutely indispensable for many photographers. Whether you shoot portraits, products, or still-life images, a good, clean backdrop will enable you to quickly create a clean or artistic background against which to shoot your subject.
Many photographic backdrops are easily portable and collapsible, so they can be transported from location to location with minimal stress and fuss. Videographers will also find many uses for the best backdrops for photography, as the ability to transform any location (or even your own front room) into a shooting space can be invaluable.
The backdrops on this list represent the best you can get right now for a range of different purposes. I've included backdrops at various price points, and a few material options – see the bottom of the page for a guide to what's out there. So, let's take a look at the list – and check out our guide to the best cameras for portraits if you're looking to upgrade your setup.
The editor of Digital Camera World, James has 21 years experience as a journalist and started working in the photographic industry in 2014. With a huge amount of experience in portrait and commercial photography, he has used a lot of different photographic backdrops.
Best backdrops for photography
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Best backdrop overall
Photographic backdrops can be big, cumbersome things, and that’s what’s so ideal about this model from Manfrotto – it’s collapsible, and can easily be folded away and transported to your shooting location. The steel frames are securely stitched in place for durability and longevity, and the backdrop is two-sided, giving you multiple options in a pinch (choose from the white/grey version or black/grey version. Made from good-quality fabrics in neutral colors, this is an ideal backdrop for getting the shot in the can quickly and simply, whether you’re shooting portraits, headshots or whatever else.
Note that you may see this backdrop branded under the Lastolite name. Manfrotto now owns Lastolite and rebranded all its products under the Manfrotto name in 2021, but Lastolite branding still pops up in certain online retailers. Don't worry – it's the same product.
Best cheap backdrop for photography
If you don’t want to spend too much on a backdrop, Neewer’s straightforward Photo Studio is a solid bet. You’ll need your own stands or a rod on which to hang it, but once that’s sorted, you’ll have a solid, well-made neutral background.
Choose from a wide range of colors to get the look you’re going for – and it’s cheap enough that you can buy a few and have them on hand for creating different looks at a moment’s notice. Be aware that while you can iron out creases if they do appear, the manufacturer advises caution and using a steam iron, rather than a dry iron, to avoid damage.
Best backdrop for location shooting
Available in a kit with a frame and easy carrying case, the Manfrotto (formerly Lastolite) EzyFrame Vintage Background is the perfect choice for the photographer who wants something they can carry around and set up with minimal fuss and bother. Its generous surface area of 2x2.3m means you can really squeeze a lot of subjects in there, so it's ideal for photographing large family groups, even those with kids who like to take up plenty of space and want some props to play with.
Getting the kit definitely isn't cheap, and there are many more affordable options on this list, so bear that in mind. The kit is available in 'Olive', 'Tobacco', 'Concrete', and 'Smoke', four colors that could more plainly be described as 'Brown', 'Brown', 'Gray', and 'Gray', so there isn't a lot of variety on offer. But for portability, convenience, and space, this is a terrific choice.
Best backdrop for newborn photography
Whatever kind of look you want for your newborn photography, it’s worth having a look at the impressive range of backdrops from Kate. These microfibre fabric backdrops can be ordered in a generous range of colors, from lighter hues to darker textured looks in its Abstract Photography Backdrop range, plus the company makes all manner of illustrated designs, if you want something really different. The smallest 5x7ft backdrop is plenty big enough for photographing newborns or young children, but there are also size options up to a huge 10x20ft.
The fabrics can be washed in a machine or by hand, and are easy to iron, so you can keep them clean and ready for the next job. They're also very good value in comparison to other colored backdrops, so are perfect when you have a tight budget!
Best photography backdrop for a vintage look
If you're looking to take more artistic portraiture in the vein of the old masters, this double-sided background from Kate is perfect. Its massive 5 x 6.5ft / 1.5 x 2m size means you can use it for headshots, three-quarters, and almost full-length portraits on either the textured brown side or the more contemporary textured blue, making it very versatile creatively.
It packs down, like a reflector, into a small carry pouch (though mastering this takes a bit of skill and patience!) for easy transport and storage. It doesn't come with a stand, but is so large that you can get away with leaning it against a wall – and thankfully, the high-quality microfiber material doesn't produce unwanted light reflections.
Best photography backdrop for group shots
With 4m of width, the Panoramic Background from Manfrotto more than lives up to its name. If you’re planning on photographing families, sports teams or other larger groups, this will ensure you can keep everyone in the frame without any undesirable background elements poking into the shot.
What’s more, the background is self-standing, so no need to buy an extra frame or set of stands. It’s available in plain white, various colors, or chromakey, for those who digitally add backgrounds in post.
Best rustic photography backdrop
Give your images a rustic look with the range of floor- and wall-style backdrops from LYWYGG. With various wood and brick looks to choose from, the range is ideal for party or family photography. The thin vinyl the backdrops are constructed from is seamless and wrinkle-free.
Be aware, though, that the print doesn’t stand up to super-close scrutiny and can look a little pixelated when zoomed in, so this isn’t one for product photography or anything else where you’re likely to be very close to the backdrop. You will also need a background stand.
Best patterned photographic backdrop
If you’d like to set up a photo booth at a party or similar, one of these patterned backdrops from LYWYGG is a great, inexpensive way to do so. There’s a huge choice of preset patterns in different themes and colors, and you can also create a custom look with an image of your choosing simply by getting in touch with the company.
The range is made from the same thin vinyl as the wood-look backdrops, meaning it’s wrinkle-free, reflection-free, and easy to fold up and transport to your shooting location. Note that you will need to buy a background stand separately.
Best photographic backdrop for chromakey
Can't decide on a background for a shoot? The magic of chromakey (often referred to simply as 'green screen' or 'blue screen') enables you to later add in any scene you like digitally. Neewer's 2-in-1 collapsible option can be packed down, taken anywhere, and used on the go. Just like a reflector, it folds into a compact carry case, ready to pop up when you need to shoot.
It doesn't come with a stand, but the mounting loops (horizontal and vertical) can be affixed to your own stands or even hung from walls. It's large enough to fit two people for interviews or co-presenting, and it's reversible with a green screen on one eise and a blue screen on the other – which can be useful, depending on your software and the subject's wardrobe!
How to choose a photographic backdrop
There are many types of backdrops designed for different users, whether they prefer to work in the studio or head out on location, with options for white or plain solid colors, subtle textures, full-on patterns, and chromakey to add scenes digitally in post.
Some backdrops are freestanding, meaning you can prop them up them anywhere there's a reasonably flat surface. Others will require a dedicated stand, usually made of metal, which is sometimes included in the kit and sometimes not, so it's always worth double-checking before you buy.
Others, meanwhile, are a little more versatile and can be hung on a standard curtain rail, which allows you to transform a room in your home into a DIY studio. This is useful when starting out, and you don't yet have the budget for your own studio space.
Backdrops come in various materials, each with its own pros and cons. In this guide, I've focused on fabric backgrounds, like microfiber or muslin. These are popular because they can be reused and transported from location to location – though care must be taken to ensure they don't wrinkle or crease. More premium fabric backgrounds tend to be wrinkle-resistant.
I've also included some vinyl backdrops. These provide a clean, pristine look without wrinkles and are easier to clean than fabric backdrops. However, they can be a little reflective, so care needs to be taken when setting up your lights to avoid glare.
Alternatively, you may want to consider a paper backdrop. These come in rolls, and generally you'll pull out the amount you need for each shoot, throwing away any soiled sections when you're done. These tend to be cheap and convenient, though with the downside that you'll need to buy more rolls once you run out. Also bear in mind that if you get a paper backdrop wrinkled, you won't be able to resuscitate it by ironing or steaming, as you can with a cloth backdrop.
How we test
With photographic accessories like photographic backdrops, these are tested in the field by experienced reviewers who have used these products before and know exactly what to look for and where any weak points might be. We also look at products not just individually, but in the wider context of the market, looking at how they compare to their key competitors. Find out more about how we test and review at Digital Camera World.
