Susan Day Moore of Wicker By Design offers some of her tips learned from her over 15 years of experience of working with portrait photographers. Click to learn more about Susan Day Moore and Wicker By Design.

• Rubberized shelf liner can be an extremely useful tool for preventing slipping of babies, children, cushions etc. Just put a small piece under the baby's bottom and they will not slip! We supply this prop accessory (in appropriate colors) as part of the package for two products, the Baby Round Back Chair and the Adult Fainting Couch.
  
  
• Many of our props comes with very high quality cushions in white, tan or dark brown.  While they are very durable, they can be stained by food or other materials.  To clean, the cover must be take off and sent to a dry cleaning service.  If you wash the cover, it will shrink.
  
  
• We are often asked for ideas about how to hang our swings.  Please click here for guidance for hanging instructions and for other alternatives for setting up the swings for posing. 
  
  
• Slipcovers for the Backstand Chairs and Christening Bench can be used to create a "Old Masters" look without the expense of buying an upholstered piece of furniture. Our slipcovers come in moss green, brick red and ivory for the Backstand Chairs of all sizes and the moss green and brick for the Christening Bench.
  
  
• Many local (North Carolina and Virginia) photographers take advantage of our 10% discount on purchases in our warehouse. Please call ahead 800-731-6666 to arrange an appointment.
  
  
• A number of our wicker props have metal in the frame, thereby giving extraordinary strength and durability beyond other wicker products sold to photographers. The Adult Fainting Couch is so strong that it easily holds 400 pounds.
  
  
• Tulle and netting (available at fabric stores or bridal shops) are often used by photographers to soften or accent one of our props.
  
  
• Wicker furniture props from Wicker By Design are made to last. However, damage can always occur. Click here for tips on care of your wicker, advice on simple repair and other wicker resources.
  
  
• Sand bags are sometimes used to add weight with the 18" Backstand Chair to prevent the toddler from tipping it over. Place the sandbag under the seat on the braces.
  
  
• Our Beanbag Baby Poser is our most popular posing prop. It can be used for newborns and older babies. We always supply a Baby Poser instruction sheet with each poser. Click here for tips on using the Beanbag Poser. The Beanbag Baby Poser cannot be washed and needs to have a cover to protect it from dirt and baby "accidents."  Use a "moisture barrier" between the poser and the cover for added protection.
  
  
• The pillow liner is an affordable, yet very useful accessory for the Baby Basket
  the Baby Carriage. The liner is a quick, easy way to boost the baby without the trouble of multiple pillows and fabric. The liner is available in white, walnut/brown or tan/ivory.
  
  
• Some of our pieces are exceptionally "road worthy." For example, school, day care and pre-school photographers often use the following props on the road:
• Regular Christening Bench
• Economy Christening Bench
• 18" Backstand Chair
• 24" Backstand Chair
• 32" Backstand Chair
• Child Turkish Chair
• Art Nouveau Gates
• Wicker Baby Poser
• Small Willow Loveseat
• Large Willow Loveseat
  
  
• Storage of props can be a problem in many studios.  We certainly understand that many studios carry dozens if not hundreds of props and accessories.  Shelving is the best option since it supports the prop. However, some photographers use hangers. We urge care with hangers if they are used for wicker. Another idea for photographers who double studios in their homes is to place your wicker and accessories in the home. For example, the wicker Adult Divan makes a wonderful accent piece in a bedroom. We certainly do not want you to succumb to the "disaster" that afflicted our friend and photographer Warren Driggers of Columbia, South Carolina.
  
  
• Our metal gates can be left outdoors for limited periods of time, since it has a powder coat. However, with extended exposure to the elements (months), they will rust.
  
  
• The Fotowhite pillow (soon to be online) can be easily used with our Christening Benches and our Sleigh/Bassinet. Click here for portraits examples of the Fotowhite pillow being use. Similarly, we carry an "eyelet ruffle" accessory that can be wrapped around the base (with velcro attachment) of the Sleigh-Bassinet. Click click to see examples of this prop accessory being used. The eyelet ruffle can also fit around the base of the Christening Benches.

We also have several portrait photography link pages that may be helpful to you:

• Partner links of photography vendors with whom we work closely
• Industry photography links
• Portrait Photography trade associations that we have found on the web

Click here for more portrait photography resources or click here if you have a question for Susan.

Wicker By Design recognizes the work and talent of the people who actually produce our props. We contribute back to that country for economic development purposes. Click here to learn more about what you can do.