One of my favourite things about blogging, is taking pictures. A stark contrast to when I first started blogging when I used to see pictures as a last minute addition to a post, and usually ended up taking photos on my Blackberry with a tea towel as a background. However over the past six years, I’ve constantly tried to up my game when it comes to blog photos and more recently Instagram too. Unfortunately, a tea towel just doesn’t cut it anymore!
I’ve had a lot of requests over the past few months for some blog posts/videos on blog photos and although I definitely don’t see myself as an expert or even that good at taking blog photos. I thought I’d share some of my favourite tips and tricks for blog photos, and especially how to get them nice and bright cause this Autumnal weather is not the one right now.
How To Get Brighter Photos
- Use Natural Light: First of all, try to take photos by natural light if you can. Take them near to a window, and if you have to take photos after work in the evening, perhaps look to invest in studio lights. I use this ring light a lot, but also have soft boxes too! I couldn’t live without these in the winter when it comes to photos and videos when natural light can be grey!
- Get A Reflector: I used to think that reflectors were pretty pointless but I recently gave in and bought this one from Ebay as it was super cheap. It’s ginormous and honestly does make quite a difference in photos. As you can see from the photos below there are less shadows when using a reflector and it helps to brighten up the overall picture. I would definitely recommend investing in one, especially when we have so many grey dark days at the moment in the UK.
- Use FaceTune Filters: If you are wanting bright photos for your Instagram, I must recommend the lighting filters on the app Facetune. It does cost a few quid but in my opinion is worth it. I tend to use the Lighten filter on pictures which helps to brighten the whole photo, without it being over exposed. I’ve had Facetune for months and didn’t know these filters existed till recently, so do go have a look, I wouldn’t be without them now!
I’ve also included a very handy (if I say so myself) iPhone photo brightness hack on my video below, so check that out if you want to see how to take bright photos on your phone!
How To Take Flat Lay Pictures:
I used to think that Flat lay pictures were impossible to get right, but honestly it’s not as hard as what it may seem.
- Get High: No not literally, I mean get above your picture. I tend to take my flatlays on the floor and then stand above the photo and snap away. You want about 5ft height above your photo, I tend to either stand above the photo or if I’m taking a photo on a table, I’ll stand on a chair. You need height to get a good flat lay!
- Get Inspiration: Before I take a bulk of blog photos, I always head to Pinterest first for inspiration. I have a blog photo board which I pin photos that I love, and I’ll look at that for inspiration for photos. I tend to find this helps me to know what kind of photos I want to take rather than just winging it and maybe not being happy with the pictures later.
- Play Around: I always tend to take a couple of photos, then switch up the objects and take a couple more, i just think it gives you more option when it comes to editing and I usually find you have to play around to get the perfect flat lay.
- Use Different Backgrounds: I have an array of backgrounds for my blog pictures, my essentials are marble contact paper, wallpaper, white card, and coloured card. I tend to use these for my backgrounds as these work much better than my carpet or tables in my house! I like to mix these up so that my blog/instagram pictures never look too samey!
- Get Creative With Props: I think that the best flat lays are the ones that have lots in them, I love colour co-ordinated flat lays, and seasonal ones too! Check out my 25 Blog Photo Prop Ideas for more prop ideas for photos!
How To Take Good Quality Photos:
So these are my top tips for taking good quality and in focus pictures. Although I use a Canon 70d for my photos, I don’t think you need a DSLR to take good blog photos. Your phone is fine, as is a point and shoot camera. As long as the photo is bright and in focus that is all that matters.
- Use a Tripod : I am so shakey, I am like shakin stevens, which isn’t good for blog photos, as I’d take loads and then none would be in focus. So I always use my tripod as this means I don’t have to hold the camera and the camera is nice and steady.
- Use a Remote: To eliminate the risk of shaky blurry pictures even more, I use a remote as well as a tripod. This means that I literally just press the remote and the camera takes the picture. I don’t even have to touch it! Ever since I have started using a tripod and remote, I have seen such a difference in my blog photos. No longer do I almost cry in frustration at blurry photos when editing!
- Hold Your Breath: If I do need to take a photo myself, what I will do is hold my breath as I press the shutter, so I shouldn’t be moving as much as normal. I wouldn’t recommend doing this for a long time, but just for a second is fine. I will also rest my arm/elbow on my leg, to also steady the camera.
- Check Before Putting Your Stuff Away: I always find that your photos look 288 x better on your camera then they do on your computer, so I will import a couple halfway through taking photos to double check they’re okay. If they’re not, I can just go back and reshoot rather than having to get everything back out again!
Like I said I’m no expert but these tips have all helped me out massively when it comes to taking photos for my blog and Instagram. I hope you’ve found this post useful and let me know if you’d like any other posts like this in the future or if you have any other photo related questions 🙂
What’s your top tip for taking blog photos?
