how important are props?

So how important are props to/for your dolls ?
Ah that depends on the theme.
I might need certain props, even background, to help me bring out the wanted atmosphere.

Are they necessary for your characters ?
Not exactly. I'm pretty casual myself, when it comes to my dolls.

 

Most of the time, props are not necessary for displaying my dolls or to give them character. But I find that in photography, you run out of simple poses really quickly, and props help to spice things up. Especially if you have a diorama that everything fits in, photos can look really awesome!

 

Extremely important to me.

I have my dolls set up in their own little rooms, and they need lots of props to look realistic and not empty. Even the ones who don't have their own 'room' still need props. There are only so many poses and photos you can do with just the doll and no extras.

 

I'm a bit of a prop fanatic ^^; I really love finding stuff for my dolls and I guess it's kinda my way of doting on them. Are they really a necessity? Mm, no, not really. But they're fun to have and use when photographing dolls!

 

I love props because I love miniatures, but never felt to need of having them, in part because I'm terrible photographer and almost never take pictures of my girls. Also I agree that good props are hard to find.
I hope they find the backpack, that must have been very frustrating.

 

Love props! Since my dolls are set up in their rooms. if there were not props, they would look like minimalists.
Not my thing at all.

 

I'm obsessed with props! Every time I go out I'm on the look out for things that are 1/4 or 1/6 scale or could be altered to become something that scale! Half the time I never use the props I obtain, but they always encourage me to take more photos of my dolls ~
That said, I don't think they are necessary at all! Just fun

 

I don't consider them to be important at all, as my dolls are displayed simply with stands. I've never been one to transform an entire space for one of my hobbies, however I LOVE seeing other peoples' work with their little dollie rooms. I might get a prop or two here & there for my girls, like a suitcase or bag, but it never goes past that.

 

Props are becoming increasingly important to me. And, I'm increasingly irritated by the available options. I'd think a large percentage of BJD people would be eager to buy folding fans and various types of realistic swords, but there just aren't the number of choices I would expect. It's particularly annoying when I find items that were made for other dolls, party favors, etc. with the price 'jacked up' for the BJD market. Etsy sellers, help us out! I'd love to buy furniture I could assemble and stain myself, like campaign chairs, desks, etc. in actual 1/4 or 1/3 scale. Right now I'm cruising second-hand stores for those mini Spanish swords sold for letter openers and appetizer skewers. I think I could lose the hilt and put my own sculpted hilt on the blade.

 

I think props can help particularly with photos, though admittedly I don't have a lot of them myself. That isn't for lack of wanting, more for lack of space, or not seeing what I want when I want to acquire said thing.

 

It's hard not to get discouraged after something gets lost in the mail, especially when it was the first time you bought something like that. I've bought props and clothing items through the mail, and this month was the first time something got lost. Happily the seller is sending a replacement item. I hope the person who sold you the backpack replaced the item for you. The responsibility for items which are lost is with the person who sent it, in my opinion.

I like to make props whenever possible, but some things are beyond my talents. I don't spend a lot of money on a prop item. I look for things that are reasonably priced, because I'd rather save my "big" money for dolls. I've made books mostly, and am working on making some furniture following tutorials I find on YouTube. It's very satisfying to have something I've made myself.

 

I don't find props essential, exactly, but they are definitely fun to play with and help spice up a scene for photography or whatever. Most of the props I get are just because I love props. I've never used most of them in a photoshoot, but sometimes I see something that makes me think of one of my dolls and I just end up bringing it home for them. Then again, I've always liked miniatures and things. The dolls just give me an excuse to go with it.