Toy photography has always been quite popular, but never more so than in the last couple of years while much of the world has been stuck at home without any human subjects to photograph. We’ve featured a bunch of them here on DIYP and they’re just as fun to look at as they are to shoot. But what tools can help you in your toy photography journey? In this video, toy photographer Jared Middleton walks us through his list of 12 things you didn’t know you needed for toy photography, although there might be one or two on this list that aren’t really all that essential. As well as explaining what they are, though, Jared also walks us through how he uses them in his own toy photography to give you a little ispiration.

Wooden SkewersMini LED LightsToy Photography PatchesWire Clothes HangerCanned AirFlourMirrorAquarium decorationsBackdrop StandFairy LightsHand LightsNight Light Projector

This list is by no means exhaustive, but it’s packed with a lot of great things you might not have considered picking up for toy photography that you can use to inject a little more dynamism into your scenes and help them spring to life in front of the camera.

What’s your favourite toy photography accessory?