Toy photography is a hobby related to both toy collecting and photography. People of all ages do toy photography, and while it is not exactly mainstream (and probably never will be), it has received more attention in recent years. Above all, it’s a hobby that brings people together and provides good, clean fun. (Note: All links below will open in a new tab.)
Examples of Toy Photography Online
You can find a huge community of toy photographers on Instagram by exploring some related hashtags: #toy_photographers, #tbsff (specific to Star Wars Black Series action figures), #stuckinplastic, to name a few.
Some especially creative toy photographers have been featured on entertainment and photography websites:
- Instagrammer HotKenobi and his amusing action figure photography
- This Guy Poses with Toy Superheroes
- 35 Clever Examples of Toy Photography
- Artist Creates Stunning Star Wars Photos Using Toys
- Musée Magazine Interviews Toy Photographer Mitchel Wu
- 9 Awesome Action Figure Posing Accounts On Instagram
- Huffington Post: Photographer Creates Adorably Wacky Lego Scenes
Entertainment Franchises and Toy Companies
More and more movie, gaming and TV franchises are starting to recognize the benefit of the toy photography community both as consumers who buy toys and as social media influencers who promote their brands.
- The Star Wars Fan Awards (the photo section includes toy photography as well as cosplay)
- Star Wars: The Last Jedi alternate Blu-Ray covers featured action figure and LEGO photography
- Photographer Turns DC, Marvel Action Figures Into Gorgeous Superhero Shots
There’s a lot of toy photography out there once you start to look for it. Some is humorous, some is serious. You’ll find photography as phenomenal art, photos that trick the eye into believing the toys are life-sized, and people just having fun. Every genre and story that has a toy associated with it has a photographer somewhere.
