How to Make Toys Look Life-Sized in Photos

Honestly, the saying “the devil is in the detail” didn't come about for nothing, and I think toy photography proves that.

I've spent a huge part of my photography life photographing toys, and it was actually the form of photography that really allowed me to find my style. That's not to say I picked it up from the get-go, though. Far, far from it.

Understanding how to make toys look life-sized is one of the most important parts of bringing a figure to life. And thankfully, once you know which little details to look out for, it becomes a whole lot easier.

So, whether you're photographing LEGO, Pop Mart figures, miniature cars, or you're a parent looking to get creative with the random toys lurking in your child's toy box, here are some of the things I've learnt about making something small look surprisingly life-sized.

This guide is all about creating the illusion of scale, but if you want to take things back a step, my toy and Nendoroid photography guide covers the wider process, from planning and locations through to composition, focus and lighting.

Frame of Reference

A simple way to make a toy look life-sized in photos is to drop down to the eye level of your toy and simply tilt your camera up so that your figure is prominent in the frame. Of course, this isn't a ride-or-die rule — I shoot plenty of figures from slightly above to give a scene more depth — but it's a good starting point.

Perspective is one of the most important tricks in toy photography, and even a small change in camera angle can completely change how big your subject feels.

Shooting this low to the ground, often using the ground itself to steady your camera, does mean your equipment can get a little dirty. I like to attach a food bag or some clingfilm to the bottom of my camera body to help protect it from mud and moisture. Though, over the years, my poor cameras have still been subjected to some pretty nasty weather conditions.

Why does a low camera angle make a toy look life-sized? Think about how you normally see something small: you're looking down at it. By getting to your toy's eye level and shooting slightly upwards, you're removing one of the biggest visual clues that tells your brain you're looking at something miniature.

Make Everything Smaller. Yep, Everything.

Plonking a toy down in the grass may give you that lush green meadow backdrop you're after, but it could actually be doing your photo an injustice. Tall blades of grass, oversized leaves and other bits of greenery can look completely out of proportion next to your toy, instantly giving away just how small your subject really is.

Instead, look for ways to recreate everyday surroundings at a scale that makes sense for your figure. A small branch, for example, can suddenly become a fallen tree or even a full-sized trunk in the background. Moss can become dense undergrowth, while tiny stones can pass for much larger rocks.

It's all about looking at what's around you and asking: if my figure really were life-sized, what would this look like next to them? Take the time to clear away leaves, sticks or debris that look out of scale or distract from the illusion you're trying to create.

Pose Them Like They're Real.

If your figures have articulation, posing them correctly can have one of the biggest impacts on making them look realistic. You can have an amazing location, lighting and composition, but if no thought has gone into the pose, your figure can still end up looking stiff and lifeless.

This is why I love photographing Nendoroid and Figma figures. Not only can you swap out the faceplates to create different expressions and emotions, but they also come with plenty of interchangeable arms and legs, making it much easier to create a pose that fits the scene. Their stands are also incredibly useful for keeping figures exactly where you want them - particularly when gravity isn't cooperating.

Think about how a real person would naturally position themselves in the scene. Where would their weight be? What would they be looking at? What would their arms be doing? Even a slight head tilt or change in the position of an arm can make a figure feel much more alive.

Focal Length and Depth of Field.

When you're trying to make a toy look life-sized, focal length and depth of field can make a huge difference. I see a lot of people suggesting getting as close to the figure with your camera as possible, but it's not necessarily a one-size-fits-all approach.

Defining exactly how close you should get to your figure is tricky, especially as it depends on the lens you're using. I actually have an article about camera lenses for toy photography, if that's more what you're after.

Focal length will change the look and feel of your scene. A wider lens can exaggerate the apparent distance between your figure and the background when you move the camera closer, making the world around them feel much larger and more immersive. A longer focal length will usually mean positioning yourself farther away to achieve the same framing, which compresses the perspective and can make the background feel much closer to your subject.

When it comes to depth of field, a good rule of thumb is to avoid going too shallow. An extremely shallow depth of field can actually emphasise how small your subject is, giving your photo more of a macro or miniature appearance. Instead, think about how much of the scene would realistically be in focus if your figure were genuinely life-sized.

That doesn't mean you should avoid blur altogether, though. I love shooting through flowers, leaves or other objects close to the lens, throwing them out of focus to create foreground depth. Not only does this add an extra pop of colour and a bit of artistic flair, but it also helps frame the scene and draw the viewer's attention towards the figure.

I'll Say It Again. The Devil Is In The Detail.

Yes, I know I already stated this at the start, but honestly, the finer details make such an impact.

Remove anything that gives away scale and take the time to find locations that work. Check the weather before venturing out so you can make the most of the natural light, and give your figures a quick clean before shooting - dust and fingerprints become surprisingly obvious up close.

Have fun making your own props (I have a few crafting-based articles if you're looking to make some of your own), or go hunting for miniatures that suit the scale of your figures.

And that's how you can make toys look life-sized in photos.

Lastly, Be Creative.

Most of all, just have fun with it. Experiment with different focal lengths, play around with different f-stops, and just be creative. If there's any form of photography made for experimenting, getting a little weird and having fun with it, it's toy photography.

As always, stay curious.