Let’s spill a little tea from the studio! One of the biggest glow-ups in my photography didn’t come from a new lens or expensive gear, it came from a $15 hack you can find at Kmart, Officeworks or almost any discount store.
The Secret? A piece of plastic acrylic sheet from a photo frame!
Yep, the kind that usually protects a print behind glass. I popped one out of a cheap frame and suddenly my photos have that high-end glow.
The reflection adds polish. The surface photographs like glass without the harsh glare or weight.
Here’s how I use them:
1. As a reflective base: Lay it down under a product and light from behind or above. You get soft, controlled reflections that instantly elevate the look.
2. For beauty and skincare flatlays: Paired with clean light and minimal props, this trick gives editorial vibes without post-production fuss.
3. To fake a luxe environment: Layer it over textured paper or printed patterns to create faux surfaces (like marble or concrete) with shine.
4. As a mini splash plate: Want to create liquid movement or frozen splash shots? Use the acrylic as your surface to catch the mess without ruining your real set. Just wipe down and reuse.
5. For layering and light tricks:Stack clear acrylic over coloured gels or soft fabric to play with light distortion and colour glow under strobes. The results are weird and dreamy in the best way.
Bonus hack: Light it from the side and use a black or white board nearby to control how strong the reflection is. It’s all about shaping the glow.
Moral of the story? You don’t need a $10k studio to get luxury looking images. You need a creative eye, some leftover acrylic, and a good lighting setup.
Got a set hack of your own? Drop it in the comments – the weirder, the better!
