Hobby vs. Hobby: Hand-Carved Robots for Toy Photography
quickly snowballed to something bigger. As I began exploring different characters and subjects I knew that eventually I would carve something toylike...
LEGO 2021 Speed Champions: A Comparative Review
Matt Frederick takes a look at the 2021 Speed Champion kits from LEGO with build photos, comparisons to past 6-stud models and more.
Toys and Tiny Tomatoes: A LEGO Harvest
LEGO minifigures tend to tiny tomatoes in this six-image narrative by Matt Frederick.
Group Review: Snap Ships Build to Battle
The Toy Photographers team explore and review PlayMonster's Snap Ships, a fun, versatile addition to the constructible toy world.
Caravanaway: A LEGO Caravan Family Holiday
Matt Frederick looks at the 3-in-1 LEGO Caravan Family Holiday (31108) for build experience, size comparison and play/photo fun factor.
All in a Day’s Work: LEGO Mythbusters
Toy photographer Matt Frederick brings MythBusters Jamie and Adam, and Buster, to life as LEGO minifigures.
Have LEGO Will Travel: How to Pack for LEGO Toy Photography Trips
It started innocently enough. Several years ago I took an old LEGO kit along on vacation through the Southern Utah Badlands. The next thing you know I was bringing A LOT of LEGO on my trips.
MOC It Up Again: Updating My LEGO Exosuit Build
I had the itch to do some new building, and rather than a new kit it was prime time for a redo of the original MOC. This would be one base plate (3 sided) and loaded with...
LEGO ‘Minions: The Rise of Gru’ Review (75549 & 75551)
Matt Frederick reviews two LEGO kits from the "Minions: The Rise of Gru" movie: Brick-built Minions and their Lair (75551) & Unstoppable Bike Chase (75549).
Rotten Tomatoes: A Six-Image Narrative
I had this idea a while back and set aside a couple bunches of medium sized tomatoes from the market. They sat there and sat there and...
The Niece Collab: A Six-Image Narrative
This six-image narrative, featuring Owen and Claire's pursuit of the Golden Dino, was directed by the author's collaborator—hisfive-year-old niece.
Troopers in the Mist: Creating Atmosphere
Atmosphere can be a fantastic element to your toy photography. We explore three options for doing so with Matt Frederick.
The Floor Is Lava: Creating a Diorama for Multiple Scales
Remember that game played as kids? "THE FLOOR IS LAVA!!!" Furniture became the high ground where play and fantasy ruled the day. One of the reasons I (and I'll assume many other toy photographers) do this kind of work is just that - play and fantasy. For me its entirely detached from my career as a professional creative (although it does make use of related skills). Toy photography is a chance to create just for fun. And its a rabbit hole...
Lightshow – Four Lighting Sources, Part 2
In Part 1, we looked at an overview of Four [...]
Lightshow – Four Lighting Sources, Part 1
In this series, we'll look at four lighting sources that [...]
The Problem with Spiders
Spiders in the crypt, unghhh. Calling the pros... We’re on [...]
From Photos of Toys to Toy Photography
My journey from just taking photos of some toys to crafting Toy Photography with planning and purpose. I’m shooting these...