17 CREATIVE Background Ideas For Nail Photos & Videos [2023]

nail art photo ideas

Here are the best background ideas for taking photos and videos of nails. Are you looking for some new and exciting background ideas for your nail photos and videos? This post will be super helpful if you are running your own nail business or press on nail business.

If so, you've come to the right place! In this blog post, we'll be sharing some fun and creative backgrounds that you can use for your next nail photo or video shoot.

nail art photos background ideas

So whether you're a beginner or an experienced nail artist, we promise that you'll find something here that will inspire you. Do you want to take your nail art up a notch, but don't know how?

Well, you're in luck! This blog post is here to help. We'll provide you with some inspiration for creating beautiful and unique backgrounds that are budget friendly for your nail vids and pics. And this post is especially helpful if you are trying to get your products into a gift guide. So let's get creative together!

After you get some great background ideas from this list, head on over to the must know nail art photography tips. There's some super helpful ideas that will help you take some stand out photos of your nails and nail art videos.

Photography Backdrop Ideas For Nail Art Photos & Videos

1. Solid Color Background

A solid color will give a minimalist look to your nail photos and videos. If you are looking for something more dramatic, hot pink is fun and a light green will give more of a natural look.

You can also layer the colors to create even more fun and creative backdrops for nail and product photos.

Here's what you can use for solid color backgrounds:

Poster board

Paint an old cutting board

Cut the cover off of an old binder

Artist canvas comes in black and white and lots of different sizes

Printer paper

Watercolor paper has a subtle grain that looks nice. And it comes in larger sheets that might work better than regular printer paper.

nail art background ideas

2. Scrapbooking Paper

Check Prices On Amazon

Scrapbooking paper as a background will give you lots of options. Especially if you are going for a specific theme for the holidays or for special occasions like Valentines day.

With its many designs, these picture perfect backdrops help bring any photography to life, creating a romantic and classic atmosphere in the process.

From country-style florals to ombre and abstract shapes, one can choose from different shades that add personality to each and every photograph.

You can even get scrapbooking papers with glitter on them.

3. White Salon Towels

Check Prices On Amazon

Using a white cotton towel to hold the nails or to use it in the background will give your nail photos a spa-like feeling.

You can also roll the cloth to hold your silicone practice hands while you are working on new manicure ideas too.

Salon towels also come in black but it's best to avoid those ones because the camera picks up any lint or hair like crazy and then it just looks gross.

nail photo background ideas

4. Vinyl Sparkly Backgrounds

Find Vinyl On Amazon

Vinyl is great for backgrounds for nail art vides and photos. Using a vinyl that has glitter effects can make nail backgrounds look high end and fun.

Vinyl is also easy to keep clean so you can use it over and over.

5. Fairy Lights For Ambiance

Fairy Lights On Amazon

Fairy lights are always a fun and whimsical way to display nail photos. These fairy lights are perfect for a whimsical feeling. Lights can also double for your nail salon or at home nail art studio décor.

You can also find fairy lights at your local dollar store too.

6. Faux Marble Trays

Visit Etsy Shop

Faux marble trays are classic and give nail art videos and photos a high end look.

They are usually made from resin so you can keep them clean and also use them to store your nail art supplies when it's not in use.

This shop on Etsy has some gorgeous trays in many sizes and shapes so you can get exactly what you need.

faux marble tray for photography backdrops

7. Sliced Geode Nail Pallets

Check Price On Amazon

Check Price On Etsy

You can use sliced geodes as part of your nail art design backdrop. Place your nails or products on them and then snap your best pictures. The colors and patterns in the geode will add an extra element of interest to your nails.

Large geode nail art pallets are a luxurious way to display your nails, especially the ones with the gold edges. You can also find one of a kind, handmade geode coasters that can be customized with your color theme in mind.

The sparkling, colorful elements will make your videos and photos shine.

sliced geodes for nail backdrops

8. Plants & Flowers

Check Price On Amazon

Adding plants in the background will give depth and a nature inspired look to your photos.

If you are worried that you don't have a green thumb or just don't really want to look after plants, there's many options for fake plants that look very real, especially on camera.

plants for background ideas nail art

9. Wallpaper

Check Prices On Amazon

Wallpaper isn't just for your walls. It can also be used as a photo backdrop for your nail art. Whether you're looking to use a print or a solid color, there are endless possibilities when it comes to using wallpaper for your next photo shoot.

10. Fabric

One of the questions we are often asked is how we get our photos to look so crisp and professional. While there are a lot of things that go into taking great pictures, one of the simplest tips is to use a fabric background.

Fabric provides a clean and consistent background that can be used for both displaying nails and product shots. Plus, it's cheap and easy to set up!

Here are some fabric ideas:

  • Silk or satin fabric
  • Sweaters
  • Jeans
  • Blankets
  • Towels
  • Upholstery fabric

fabric for background ideas for nail art videos

11. Vintage Books & Printables

Vintage Printables on Etsy

Etsy has a ton of printable backdrops that you can download and use right away without waiting for shipping.

Or, using vintage books as a photo background is a great way to add a unique touch to your nail art photos. Not only is it cost effective, but it's also a great way to recycle old books.

You can either use books that you already have or find them at second hand stores or flea markets. All you need is a camera and some creativity!

Old books or maps are a fun way to display nails. Another way you can use vintage papers right away is to print them right from your home studio or salon. 

12. Faux Fur

Check Price On Amazon

This is one of the classic ways to display nail art designs. Faux fur can add a touch of extra opulence to your photos. Faux fur comes in any kind of color combination.

You know those faux fur pillows that you see everywhere? Those make great photo backdrops for nail photos and videos too.

faux fur for nail photos

13. 12 inch Tiles

These come in many different sizes and colors. Check at your local hardware store to see if they have singles for purchase. Sometimes a store might even be getting rid of tiles and will give you samples for free.

You can use the tiles for practicing nail art designs and then keep them tucked away and bring them out when you need to photograph the nails for Instagram or your website.

14. Take It Outside

Finding a perfect background scene is one of the most challenging things for taking pictures of nails. Try to find a spot outdoors with something in the background that matches up to your manicure theme.

Buildings, water, trees and bridges make cool backdrops. And the best part, they are free!

We can all agree that a good photo is key for any social media post, whether it's for Instagram, Facebook or your blog.

And if you're looking for an on-trend and natural backdrop, then using natural light is the perfect solution.

nail art photography ideas

15. Rocks

If you can't go for a walk to find a rock that's perfect, try your local garden center or landscaping company. They might have exactly what you need. Another alternative to a rock, would be a 12x12 patio stone for a full background.

Rocks can make for great photography props, especially when it comes to nail art videos. They can add an element of interest and texture to your shots, and can really make your designs pop.

rocks for displaying nail art

16. Wood Backdrop

faux wood backdrop here on Amazon

If you're looking for a unique background for your nail art videos, why not try using a wood background or photo of wood? Wood photography backgrounds are becoming increasingly popular, and they can really add a rustic, natural look to your nails.

To get started, all you need is a piece of wood (preferably with a nice grain pattern), First, sand down the wood to create a smooth surface. Then, apply a base coat of paint or varnish in your preferred color. Once the base coat is dry, start painting your nails with your desired design.

Another option is to order a photo of wood. They come in full sheets or smaller sizes. The camera makes them look like the real deal without the fuss. And they come in a range of colors from light grey wood to dark.

faux wood backdrop for nail art

17. Fluffy Feathers For Photos

Check Price On Amazon

If you're looking to add a bit of flair to your nail art videos, why not try using feathers? This kind of photography can be a great way to show off your work, and using feathers can add an extra bit of dimension and interest.

Pay attention to the size of the feathers you use. If they're too small, they may get lost in the overall design. If they're too big, they may overpower the other elements.

Just have fun with it! Adding feathers to your nail art photography can be a great way to add a bit of personality and style. So go ahead and experiment until you find the look that you love.

feathers for nail art photos

In conclusion:

Sometimes getting your nails out there feels like a total production. There's so much to think about: the design, the colors, the placement.

It can be tough to come up with new ideas and make your nails look fresh and interesting. We hope you have found some great ideas to use for your photos and videos to help spark your creativity!

💖 If you would like to support our nail blog, we would love it if you could share this article on your social media or link back to this article from your own blogs and websites. We would really appreciate that :)

More Nail Business Guides

How to package press on nails

How to get nail products into a gift guide

Do you have a nail art Pinterest board? Here's a pin we made for you :)

nail art photography background ideas