TOP TIPS TO IMPROVE YOUR BLOGGING PHOTOGRAPHY
Having branded, eye-catching photos is so key when it comes to being online.
For me, content is everything but I know how important blog photography is.
I mean, stock photos are great, but I just think it’s so much better when you use your own photography. It just makes your platforms feel more real, you know?
When I first started blogging I was doing lifestyle content and my photography was SO bad.
But then Tom, my fiancé started getting into photography and I switched to online marketing and found my niche. And between us, we’ve found some tips that are really really useful.
Tom uses a DSLR camera to take photos of landscapes and people and things like that. But most of the photos on my blog and social platforms are snapped with my iPhone.
It’s completely up to you what equipment you use, but you can definitely start off with what you have. My photos taken with this camera are such high quality, so don’t be discouraged if you don’t own a really huge camera.
But whatever equipment you’re using there are certain tips to keep in mind. So I wanted to share the ones I’ve learnt over the years that have made a difference to me and will hopefully make a difference to you too.
#1 | LIGHTING IS EVERYTHING
I know you’re probably like, Holly, you know how many times I’ve heard this?
I get it but, lighting will honestly make or break your photos.
Different photos require different lighting, but natural lighting is what you want to aim for.
If you’re taking photos inside, take them during daylight with the light shining through your window. It’ll make your photos look a million times better than if you use indoor lighting.
Another thing to note is that I know a lot of bloggers think a really sunny day is the best day for taking photos but actually it’s not because you have a load of problems with yellow light and shadows and that sort of things.
An overcast day? That’s the best day for taking photos.
#2 | REARRANGE OBJECTS
You see people taking photos from the same angle and that's why you’re not getting the perfect shot.
Flat lays, food photos, coffee table shots - they’re best taken from overhead. But don’t be afraid to rearrange things or move things to a different angle.
Sometimes even if you move one thing or raise everything up a level, you’ll get the shot you want.
It’s like if you’re out for coffee, it’s gonna’ look way better if your cups are nearer to each other on the table far apart - just don’t let it go cold when you’re taking the picture!
#3 | TAKE MORE THAN ONE SHOT
This is why I’m not a fashion blogger because can you imagine how many poses you’d have to do!
The final photo you take is very rarely the only photo they took.
There’s so many different things you can play around with you know, like lighting and angles.
Zoom in zoom out, sit on the floor stand on a chair, have fun with it. Just be careful when you stand on a chair, we don’t want any accidents!
Having too many photos to choose from is what you want to aim for.
#4 | EDIT, EDIT, EDIT
Editing is my favourite part of the photography process because it’s truly where the magic happens.
This is where you can turn your photo into exactly how you want it to be, especially if the lighting wasn't right or it wasn’t as sharp as you wanted.
Just don’t over edit. You want it to look natural but good.
I use the Lightroom app to edit my photos. I usually choose the Bright preset and then adjust the brightness, shadows, highlights and vibrance to enhance the colours.
#5 | CONSIDER YOUR BACKGROUND
A lot of people don’t really think about the background of their photos but it can actually be so important, especially if you’re taking outfit photos.
You can buy cheap backgrounds from a local DIY store - old scraps of wallpaper or material are great for this.
You know, play with different layers and add textures - I love it when photos have an extra element to them.
#6 | KEEP A STEADY HAND
A lot of people let the camera scare them but you’re the one that’s in control of it.
Let’s say you’re in a cafe and you’re taking a picture of your food but you feel really nervous. You might take one snap really quickly, look back at it and think oh, well, I can’t use that now can it?
That’s why it’s so important to take a steady photo. Take your time don’t be embarrassed and make sure you tap to focus, always tap to focus,
#7 | ADD LIFE TO YOUR PHOTOS
Whatever you blog about, whether it’s food, fitness, parenting, money, beauty - add some life to your photos.
Try and make them less staged than you intended for them to be. The way I’d say would be don’t aim for it to be perfect. Maybe it’s an outfit shot of you laughing rather than posing - it’s that simple but how much more impactful would that be?
This is important because not only does it add a sense of realness to your photos, it encoruages people to connect with you because you’re being real and that engagement is what you want.
Has this helped you feel more confident with your blogging photography? What kind of styles do you like? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Remember to become the boss of your photography so you can get one step closer to a breakthrough.
