Background Supports

Shopping for Backdrop Stands

Backdrop stands securely hold sheets of paper, cloth, or plastic that form the backgrounds for your photographs. Also known as backdrop holders, they also allow you to change the background setting to suit various types of photography jobs.

With stands, you can quickly switch from simple, plain backgrounds for official photographs to plain colors and patterns for family portraits. There are also photo-realistic scenes of comic characters or settings for fun snaps of kids. Backdrops feature a variety of materials, including seamless background paper, muslin, canvas, and velour, and you can find vinyl and PVC backgrounds as well. Whatever the material, you need the right backdrop stands to support them to ensure evenness and stability.

What Are Photography Backdrop Stands?

Backdrop stands are essentially simple frames on which to drape your backgrounds. They're generally comprised of two stands joined by crossbars, (backdrop poles), from which you hang your backgrounds. Most photography background stands feature tripod legs, and you can use sandbags and safety weights to provide extra stability. The most popular material is aluminum, which provides the right blend of strength and lightness. Most crossbars come in sections that telescope to allow for easy width adjustment.

How to Set Up a Backdrop Stand

Photo backdrop stands consist of interlocking components, which makes them relatively simple to assemble. It's mainly a matter of snapping the upright bars into the bases, and fixing the crossbars with spring clamps (A-clamps) or Velcro.

If you need to work on location, you can find compact and lightweight models that you can comfortably carry and assemble. They usually come in padded travel cases for protection and easy transport. These are ideal for use at events such as weddings, which require professional photography out in the field.

Backdrop Stand Sizes

The ideal dimension of your photography background stands depends on a number of factors. The two most important are the type and size of backdrop you'll be working with, and the amount of space you have in your studio. Backdrops come in standard sizes ranging from 3.5 feet wide, which are suitable for headshots and kids, up to 24-feet wide, which can accommodate entire families and are usable for video shoots.

If you plan to carry out large shoots, you can find stands comprised of three upright stands with two crossbars. They can offer widths of up to 24 feet, or serve to hold two different backdrops to allow speedy scene changes. They're also ideal for positioning in corners to maximize the use of space.

If you're very short on space, consider collapsible backgrounds. You can hang these from hooks or prop them up against a wall without the need for a stand.

Set up your photography studio for success with the backdrop stands and background support accessories available at B&H Photo and Video.