35 DIY Photo Backdrop Ideas You Must Try to Unleash Your Creativity

Do you aim to create your perfect backdrop? You’re in the right place!

Maybe you’re a photographer, willing to spice things up in your next photoshoot…

Maybe you’re part of a fun group of friends and want something cool for your next party…

Maybe you’re a mom aiming to create the best birthday setting for your child…

It doesn’t matter who, what, or where. What matters is that you are filled with creativity! This article will give you 35 DIY photo backdrop ideas for all kinds of photoshoots— yes, yours included!

So worry no more and get your Art Attack ready! Let’s get into it!

DIY Photo Backdrop Ideas

Let’s start professionally. Here are some DIY backdrop ideas, that you can mostly use in professional studio photography. These are great for enhancing the visual composition of photos.

So if this sounds like what you require, wait no more. Dive into it!

1. Geometric DIY Photo Backdrop

Geometric DIY photo backdrops can be such a good background scenery! They work well, especially to enhance portraits and add a touch of style and personality. You can easily create some with cardboard.

Be creative with the shapes—triangles, circles, rhombuses, and hexagons all work! Color them with acrylics according to the color palette your model(s) are going to wear! Then, attach them to a plain-colored wall, cloth, or paper.

2. 3D Triangles for the Trippy Backdrops

If you love the geometric shape idea but want something that feels even more three-dimensional, here’s your DIY tip! Make some 3d triangles that you can attach to a plain surface.

You can easily create them by attaching 4 plain triangles into one paper pyramid. Place them, and attach them, all together on your favorite plain background. Now, see your pictures drastically coming to life with this easy-to-make optical effect.

3. Tissue Paper or Flower Backdrop?

You don’t need expensive and hard-to-find materials to create a beautiful backdrop outcome! You can simply use tissue paper! Yes, you’ve read that right!

For a very simple outcome, get a bunch of tissue paper and paint it with your favorite colors. Then, wrinkle them and attach them to a piece of cloth or cardboard. Make sure you choose harmonious colors that go well together! You’ll see how placed together and colored, the tissue paper will resemble flowers.

Image from Shutterstock

4. Fairy Lights Backdrop Magic

If what you’re looking for is less of the colorful, geometric result and more of the magical, aesthetic kind, hear me out! Fairy lights are life saviors! You can rely on fairy lights to add a cozy mystical vibe to anything. Yes, your backdrop is included!

So for this result, hang fairy lights all over a plain, clear setting and let them do the rest! You can add more personality according to the shooting.

5. Coffee Filter Anyone?

Were you really throwing away your coffee filters after use? No, you don’t have to! You can easily reuse them and create a sustainable DIY backdrop with them.

Color them with your favorite color scheme (watercolors will work too!) Then, take a needle and thread and make sure the thread is long enough to cover all the background space needed. Fill several threads with your colored coffee filters! Finally, hang them close to one another. Voilà!

6. Ribbon Drape and Flowers, Please

Are you the romantic, and poetic kind? If you aim to decorate a large surface with something cute and charming check this out! Go buy your favorite colored ribbon drape out there! Then find some flowers that match their colors (or vice versa).

Spend a creative afternoon attaching your fresh colorful flowers to the ribbon drape and then hang them on your chosen surface! Now your homemade picturesque backdrop is ready for shootings.

Image from Shutterstock

7. Fabric Garland Aesthetic Backdrop

Another great way to be creative while personalizing your backdrop to your own needs and taste is using fabric garlands! This way you can choose your favorite-looking fabric and style your setting exactly how you wish it to be!

Find different bits and pieces, cut them to your preferred size then hang them together on a large surface. Here’s your customized, aesthetic backdrop.

8. Paper Floral Backdrop

How can we not mention flowers when talking about DIY backdrops? Of course, you can buy flowers at the market. But if you want something that lasts longer (and you want to have fun during a creative afternoon) you can always create some paper flowers! For this outcome use some crepe paper (your favorite colored ones).

Cut your favorite-looking petals and attach them to a round card paper. After you’ve created a good amount, proceed with putting them together on a large surface! You can either fill the backdrop surface or just attach some as a frame.

Image from Shutterstock

9. DIY Paper Chain Backdrop

A less demanding outcome can be achieved by creating some DIY paper chains. You can easily do so by cutting some stripes out of colored-card paper. Then, attach the end to create a little circle. Once you have plenty of colorful card circles, you can proceed with attaching them together like chains.

Make sure you create 25 chains of about 20 circles each so that the backdrop outcome can feel colorful and cool.

10. Woodsy Photo Backdrop

DIY backdrops don’t only include art attacks filled with paper, paint, and scissors. You can create your own backdrop even with the use of wood! Yes, wood backdrops can be ideal to give that country, aesthetic, warm look to any picture!

Whether you want to give it a go with carpentry, or you want to have a nice wood platform made, it’s up to you! Make sure you give it good lighting once it’s done.

Image from Pexels

11. DIY Citrus Backdrop

Now, wouldn’t you want to give a warm, yellow, orange-colored touch to your photos? You can easily do so by playing with citrus! And guess what? Your photoshoots will smell good too! For this perfumed outcome buy some oranges, lemons and grapefruits.

Cut them into slices and let them dry for one day. Once dried, tie them together with a clear-colored string. Add them to any plain - yellow, beige, brown - surface. A bonus tip is to add some atmospheric fairy lights to them too!

Image from Pexels

12. DIY Cotton Cloth Backdrop

Last, but not least, if you want a budget-friendly DIY backdrop that is plain and not too elaborate, here’s your tip. Simply buy a cotton cloth, big enough to fit your photo requirements. Then paint it accordingly. You could paint it naturally with earth-looking colors, draw on it if you feel artistic enough, or practice some wood print serigraphy.

DIY Photo Booth Backdrop

If you’re less of the professional and more of the interactive kind, don’t worry! We have something for you too! Here are some DIY photo booth backdrops for the fun and interactive photoshoot. This is perfect if you’re planning a creative party with friends, an original wedding, or any other festive event.

Get together with your favorite people and tailor the perfect backdrop for your special upcoming event! We’ve got you covered.

13. Scalloped Paper DIY Backdrop

Now, think mermaid backdrop! Yes, mermaid backdrop but customized to your colors and will! For this outcome, a scalloped paper DIY is the perfect choice. It will be fun to put it together with friends. And hey, even more fun to shoot in front of it afterward!

Simply buy some colored paper (alternatively paint white paper with acrylics or watercolors). Then cut round ends, and place them all together on a cardboard platform. Add any personalized decoration, or keep it simple! It’s the perfect DIY backdrop for mermaid theme parties!

Image from Shutterstock

14. Cut-out Colorful Tissue Paper Backdrop

As mentioned before, tissue paper can be a great, budget-friendly, ally when talking backdrops DIYs. But for photo booths backdrops you can consider tailoring some colorful tissue paper according to your themed event! For example, place it in such a way that it resembles a symbol, a sentence, or a name. Everyone at your photo booth will love shooting in front, or with it!

Image from Shutterstock

15. Streamers' Photo Backdrop

This one’s old but gold! I’m talking about streamers. Yes, the good old streamers that give that extra light, and life, to any event! It’s that aesthetic accessory which everyone would want to pose in front of! So, of course, streamers cannot miss as a photo booth backdrop!

Make sure you select some glitter-looking, color-fitting ones that will bring that extra life to your unique event.

Image from Istock

16. Creased Tin Foil

If streamers seem outdated, don’t panic! Here’s the perfect plan B for you. Have you ever thought of creased tin foil? Yes, tin foil - such a simple, cheap, and accessible material. However, this effortless item will easily enhance your photo booth’s photoshoot! It will add life, light, personality, and an extra disco vibe!

Simply glue as much as possible (and as much as you want) to a cardboard surface. Attach some on the floor too, for some extra disco vibe. Try it to believe it.

Image from Istock

17. Popsicle Backdrop for Endless Summer Lovers

Now, let’s change the vibe! Not all photo booth backdrops aim to be eccentric and party-themed! Some aim to feel fun, light, and colorful. If this is the case, you might want to bring some endless summer vibes to your event! And what’s better than popsicles to achieve that result? Then get all fun and creative with some real popsicle sticks (yes, you’ve understood it right! A good amount of popsicles needs to be eaten for this outcome).

Then, be creative by drawing, cutting, and painting some popsicle shapes out of cardboard or card paper. Attach them on a string, then place them on a plain background. Prepare for some fun, summery, colorful shoots in front of it!

Bonus tip: you can save some to use as props to play around with too.

Image from Istock

18. DIY Paper Fan Photo Backdrop

If you aim for something more aesthetic and elegant, check this out! Consider doing some cute and graceful paper fans. Make as much as you want and either place them all over a plain background or make less and glue them just as a frame. You can easily make some by accordion-folding some colored papers and gluing them at the extremes, in a round-looking shape.

19. Fringe Backdrop

Fringes are such a cool-looking and easy-to-make DIY backdrop idea! So if you want some cute and fancy background for your unique photo booths, you should check this out! You can choose what better fits your needs - cloth, paper, fabric, or ribbon.

Once you choose, simply proceed with cutting your material into little stripes. Attach them all together, making a unique color combination according to your taste! Here’s your personalized fringe backdrop ready to be posed with.

Image from Pexels

20. DIY Macrame Backdrop

Now, if you really want to go all the way into creativity, don’t miss out on this! Try macrame! Macrame is a way of knotting a certain textile in such a way that creates beautiful art. It can be used to create bags, jewelry, clothing, and yes… backdrops too!

So if you feel inspired to try this beautiful art, definitely go for it! Because we’ll assure the outcome will be truly worth it, aesthetically powerful, and long-lasting.

Image from Istock

21. DIY Wooden Crate Backdrop

If you don’t want to spend too much time learning a new art, or creating something too complicated… we understand. That’s why we have another idea for you! You can simply take some wooden crates and place them together according to your needs and event.

Personalize them with plants, fabric, and unique signs that represent your festivity. This simple DIY backdrop will add attraction, simplicity, and vibe to your event.

22. Cardboard Backdrop DIY

What if you’re looking for a last-minute DIY backdrop that is both budget-friendly and unique? Do you think we didn’t have an answer for you too? Of course, we do! So if this is the case, simply go in your basement and find all those cardboards that you thought you would never going to use.

Then break them into pieces and glue them flat on your preferred background. Add a plain-looking frame in front of it, that people at your event could be playing with! Here’s your last-minute, casual, and oh, so original photo booth backdrop ready!

Image from Pexels

23. Let’s go Down Memory Lane Wall

Here’s one for the cheesy friends who want a backdrop DIY that is meaningful and beautiful. Well, if this is the case… go down memory lane! Don’t be afraid of printing all those cute, nostalgic, memorable pictures that represent you and your friends.

 Be even more extra with the addition of notes, cards, drawings, and anything that can feel truly meaningful. Have it all printed, or hanging from a wall or wooden crate. I’m sure it’s going to be the most popular and crowded part of the event.

Image from Pexels

24. Book Wall DIY

If you really don’t want to play small at your event, check this out! Here’s something that will truly stand out leaving everyone speechless. This is perfect especially for weddings, or artistic events. Have a book-theme photo booth.

Whether you want to take books and hang them, or select your favorite book’s pages, cut them, and glue them on a wall… it’s up to you! What matters is that you create a magical, literal wall that everyone will feel absolutely attracted to.

Image from Pexels

DIY Birthday Backdrop Ideas

What if you require something more specific? Maybe some creative backdrop for a birthday party?

Because if that’s the case, we’ve got what you need! Here are some perfect tips for your unique DIY birthday backdrop, customized to your own needs and desires… because it will be made by you!

Check these ideas out.

25. DIY Plate Photo Backdrop

Birthday plates are always needed during birthday parties! But hey, you don’t only have to use them to serve the cake on top of them. You can use them to DIY your perfect backdrop too. A way you can do so is by coloring them with your favorite, birthday-themed colors and gluing them on a wall, cardboard, or cloth. It will effortlessly add color, personality, and a touch of style to any birthday party.

Image from Pexels

26. DIY Floral Birthday Number Backdrops

Now, what shouts more birthday party than a birthday number? I mean, that’s the most important part of a birthday after all, don’t you think? So consider buying some flowers, or making some yourself with crepe paper and gluing them all together in the shape of the birthday boy/girl’s turning age.

Image from Istock

27. DIY Pom Pom Backdrop

Pom poms never get old! Whether you’re a cheerleader or not, they are that kind of accessory that always expresses celebration! So, consider adding some pom poms to your unique birthday party setting! You can do so by buying little colorful pom poms (or easily making some yourself with wool and needles) and attaching them with a string.

Have many hanging out from one string and have many strings prepared so that the effect will feel brimming and aesthetic. You’ll see how many people will want to pose in front and with this unique and fun DIY backdrop.

28. Origami Backdrop

Whether you’re into origami, or not, you should definitely check this out. Origami is such a beautiful art that is not only nice to see, but to do too. So if you want to get extra creative and learn a new art, you should get into it! There are so many different origamis you can consider making. From little birds to boats, flowers, and figures… you name it!

So once you learn how to make them, you can totally be creative and make origami to your own needs, vibe, and birthday party. Making it extra unique and filled with art that everyone at the party will love to admire.

Image from Shutterstock

29. Gift Wrapping Paper

What’s a birthday party without birthday gifts? To be in the birthday mood consider creating a DIY backdrop made of gift wrapping paper. You can choose if you’d like it to be simply with paper or filled with fake birthday gifts (you can simply wrap empty boxes) that you can glue on a cardboard wall.

Choose aesthetically-looking wrapping paper that will enhance the overall birthday party vibe.

30. Ribbon Flower Backdrop

You can buy ribbons to wrap your birthday presents, of course. But did you know that you can also buy ribbons to create your personalized DIY backdrop? You can easily do so by stitching the ribbons together in a way that resembles a flower. Do as much as you can so to glue them all over a background either to fill a wall or to create a frame! A perfect birthday decoration for your festive photo.

Image from Istock

31. The Good Old Classic Balloon Backdrop

How can we miss balloons? We’re talking about birthday parties, after all. So of course, if you love the good old classic outcome, get your breath ready to fill up tons of balloons! You can DIY a classy, cute backdrop filled with balloons in many ways. An idea is to buy all kinds of colored balloons and create a rainbow cloud setting.

Alternatively, you could create a balloon arch. Or, of course, you can fill your selected background with balloons, making a balloon wall. Whatever you pick is going to be a safe and cheap way to enhance any birthday party’s photos!

32. Personalized Birthday Backdrop

If classic is not for you, then let’s get personal! Here’s an easy, budget-friendly way to DIY a birthday backdrop. Get your preferred type of backdrop paper out there. Make sure it’s one you can write or paint on. Then, get crazy creative with it! Be unique and deep.

Pain the birthday boy/girl’s name, the age, some nice elements, and drawings. Anything that will make it personalized and unique. Something that everyone would want to check out and pose with.

33. Polaroid Frame Backdrop

What if you’d want to create that kind of backdrop that everyone would want to pose with for their Instagram shot? Then go ahead and create a polaroid-looking frame (big enough to fit at least three/four people) and hang it in your favorite area.

Paint a “Happy Birthday” right under it and add flowers, candles, or any other element you love around it! This will smoothly add up to your party and most probably, make it viral on Instagram too! Indeed, an effective DIY backdrop.

34. The Disco DIY Backdrop

If your birthday party’s theme is the disco glitter kind, here’s your perfect DIY backdrop idea! Go all the way glitter with the addition of silver or golden streamers (or little shiny mirrors, if you can find any).

Attach them on a wall or cardboard. Then proceed with framing it with gold or silver balloons! Add the cherry on the cake with a neon “Happy Birthday” sign. Have a fancy armchair or stool placed in front, where people at the party could be sitting and have their birthday party shot taken!

Image from Pexels

35. The Party Anemone DIY Backdrop

Here’s an idea for some less glitter and more cuteness DIY backdrop effect. If you want your birthday backdrop to stand out and be appealing here’s a tip!

Buy some red card paper and cut out some large petals from it. Glue five red petals together and add some black wool pom poms in the middle. Attach these paper blossom flowers on a red, black, or white surface. Frame your backdrop with black balloons and be ready for the cutest, most creative birthday shot!

So, what are you waiting for?

Equip yourself with your favorite colors, mood, and creativity to create your tailored backdrop.

Remember there is no limit to your creativity - don’t be afraid to play big!