Backdrops and props are invaluable tools to a photographer. Particularly when taking portrait shots. But prices can range from a few hundred bucks to a couple thousand. After emptying your wallet on a camera, who has that kind of money? No problem. There are cheap photography backdrops and props all around you.
The purpose of a backdrop is to substitute for real life scenery. Why go for an obviously fake scene, when the real thing makes for so much better pictures? Get outside and visit the woods or a community park. If you live in an area where nature is not easily accessible then head to a plant nursery.
USING NATURAL LIGHT. Not everyone has to have expensive strobe lights to take good quality portraits. A great inexpensive way to get started doing photo shoots is to become a master at using natural light. Natural light photography does not mean just going outside and shooting in whatever light is available. It's about learning when the light is best and learning how to best manipulate the light to suit your purpose of taking great quality portraits. You can use natural light both indoors and outdoors.