While I’d definitely say it’s easier to have someone else help you take blog photos (blog boyfriends, you know who you are), sometimes that just isn’t an option. I’ve started dabbling in taking my photos myself recently (and people can’t even tell!), because I like being able to drop everything and get to business on my own timeline.
Seriously, sometimes you’ve got an idea you’re just bursting to photograph or a sponsored post you’ve gotta get up ASAP, and no help in sight. Don’t worry, I’ve gotchu! I decided to put together my top tips to help you start shooting solo, so you guys can get out there and start making magic all by your-friggin-self.
So you want to take blog photos?
1. GET THE GEAR:
• Tripod: Honestly, any sturdy tripod should do the trick. You don’t have to invest in something that costs $100, you just don’t want it dropping. your. camera. The last thing you want is to break a lens, or worse, breaking the mirror inside your dSLR! I use something like this, but these seem like a really cool investment for traveling.
• Remote: I’ve said it before, but getting a camera remote was a game changer for me. Any simple one from Amazon should work fine, just be sure to double check it’s compatible with your camera model.
• Camera + Lens: I use a Nikon d3300 and a 50mm lens for all the photos you see posted on my blog. (If you’re in the market for a new camera set up, I’d suggest shopping around during holiday sales!) The body of the camera itself isn’t super important when you’re starting out; the lens is. Even then, you can make magic if you’re shooting in decent light!
• Wireless mobility adapter: I just recently discovered that there is an app you can use in place of a camera remote, which actually shows you what your photos will look like on your phone before you take the picture! Some cameras have a built in adapter so you only need to download the app, but some don’t (mine doesn’t). This handy little device helps!
That said, you don’t really need any sort of crazy gear for blogging, you just need to worry about understanding what you’re working with.
No instagram boyfriend?? No problem! You can take photos all by yourself.Click To Tweet2. KNOW YOUR CAMERA:
There’s really three basics you need to understand when working with your camera: ISO, shutter speed, and aperture.
• ISO:
This controls your camera’s sensitivity to light. It’s measured so that the lower the number, the less light sensitive, and as the number increases, so does the sensitivity. The trade off is, when you increase that number, you also increase the amount of grain that will show up on your photos. If you’re shooting in bright light like I usually do, you’ll want to keep your ISO set low at around 100, so you get crisp, clean photos. If you’re shooting at dusk, night, or indoors, you’d shoot at a higher ISO so that you’re getting more light into your camera and can still shoot with decent shutter speeds.
• Shutter Speed:
This is the length of time a camera shutter is kept open to expose the camera sensor to light. The shutter speed is measured in fractions of a second (when kept under a second), so 1/125 means 125th of a second! The slower it is, the more light is being allowed in; the faster, less light. If you’re taking a photo and it’s way too dark, you’ll wanna slow down the speed so you can let more light in and brighten things! I usually start with my shutter speed up around 1000 and then adjust.
• Aperture:
This affects not only what is in focus, but also how large the opening on your lens is set to, and therefore how much light is getting into your camera. Your aperture is measured in f-stops, where the smaller the number (like f1.8), the more light is being allowed into the camera. When you adjust (and make the number larger, up to f22), you shrink that opening, letting less light in. I like to keep my aperture set around f2.2, so that most of me is in focus (but the background isn’t!) on my outfit posts. Anything lower is good for just the detail shots, and anything way too high won’t give you that creamy background blur!
If you’re able to get a decent grasp on these functions, your photos will improve immensely, because they’ll look sharper and more professional!
(RELATED READ: Tips for Taking Better Photos)
3. LEARN YOUR POSES:
Pinterest is an absolute wealth of information for all things fashion! Seriously, go to the search bar and just type in “fashion poses” if you’re struggling with ideas.Pinterest is probably the best for this, because you can search so many different types of style poses, from editorial, to street style, to laid back muses. Once you’ve found what you’re looking for, you can even create a board with all your faves for inspiration to come back to later!
If you’ve got some bloggers that you’re particularly fond of, it doesn’t hurt to look to them as well! For example, I’m a huge fan of Chiara, Naomi, and also what Jessica Lowndes has been sharing lately. Now that you’ve got all your ideas gathered, practice!!
I’m all for body confidence, but no one wants to intentionally put out a super unflattering picture. Learn how to work your angles, and what’s best for you.
4. BE CONFIDENT:
I know it’s not easy the first time you go out in public armed with your camera, a tripod, and your remote, but hold your head high! People might be curious what you’re doing, but it’s none of their business; you’re totally not obligated to entertain any questions from strangers. Heck, tell ’em you’re working on a photography class project if you want!
The last few times I’ve been out taking photos (especially the ones you see in this post), strangers actually cheered me on! I live in the city so I’m generally shooting in heavily trafficked areas, and I had at least a dozen people compliment me, honk, or even ask about my blog in such a positive way that I wish I’d had business cards to hand out.
Either way, you’re out there creating something and doing it all by yourself, so don’t let anyone make you feel crappy about it. You’re a boss, making moves for your own business. Now, lift your head and strike that pose.
(RELATED READ: Fake Confidence Till You Make It)
Life your head and strike that pose. You're a boss, making moves!Click To Tweet
And most important of all:
5. HAVE FUN!
I know it’s easy to lose yourself in the technical parts of blogging, but make sure you’re having fun with it! Do some shimmies! Make funny faces! Laugh at yourself! You don’t need to be stiff and serious (unless the shoot calls for it), so get out there and have a blast!
(dress: Old Navy • sandals: Old Navy • sunglasses: Amazon)
If you don’t believe me, check out these posts I’ve shot myself:
Coping with Burnout
DIY Mermaid Crown
Change and Blue
Do you have any tips I missed?
Share them below!
Good tips and tricks, thanks for sharing hun!
thanks for reading, hope they’re helpful! x
Thank you so much for this post! My photographer is leaving in August, and I am kinda freaking out!! Yourvpictures look gorgeous and I am happy to know that I can achieve this myself.
girlll I checked your blog, and I’m 100% sure you’ll make some AMAZING photos on your own! x
Can’t believe you took those pictures all on your own! You’ve shared some great tips for when a photographer is not available and you have to go solo.
Gisel | http://www.mintandthrift.com
haha, thank you, I’m glad they look professional! and I hope they’re helpful!! x
These are awesome some tips! Your photos look great!
Emily
withstyleandgrace.net
thank you! x
SUCH good tips – Love this! Well done 🙂 X
thanks so much! x
Seriously great tips. I didn’t even think about a remote control and love the tip about that app too. Thank you for sharing and please do more like this!
more how? informative posts? I’ll try to keep ’em coming! x
I love the dress color and pattern, this look is screaming summer.
http://www.cecilfashion.com
#3 and #5 are both my problem areas despite being a style blogger for eons. Posing is my weakest link and due to that, it prevents me from having fun while shooting. Ugh. But will get there eventually.
Thanks for the tips. Always needed.
Nice tips! I have a problem with finding poses so this helps a lot! Great post!
Totallytanisha.wordpress.com
Perfect tips! Being confident plays a big part in it, but having the gear is key!
These are such great tips!! I need to work on a lot of these!
All great tips! I have all the gear to take my own photos but I’m petrified of doing it in public. Also, it takes so much time to get perfect pics. Kudos to you girl, you’re brave!
These are great tips! Your photos are great. Thanks for sharing!
I just need the confidence! I am freaking out at the thought of what people will sey if they walk by me. ugh
This is really good information!! And your photos look awesome too!
Some fantastic tips here!!! The gear is so important, I didn’t realize how shaky my hands were until I tried to take close up photos of a dish without a tripod…yikes!!! I still have to play around with settings but I am having fun and that is what matters!!
Wonderful Tips! I am slowly working on my photo skills and hope to get to where I won’t need stock photos so often!
I have this dress is a different pattern, love it! And I hate when people stare while taking blog photos! So awkward! haha. But you’re right, who really cares and you’ll likely NEVER see any of those people again aanway.
Lots of helpful info here. Thanks for sharing. Also what is that App called? The one you mentioned in the “Know your Gear” paragraph about seeing pics on your phone.
This is so great! I’ve never thought about getting a remote before – great tip.
http://www.anortherngirl.com
These are really excellent tips! I’ve got several posts that I need to shoot and these are really helpful things to think about that will allow me to do more of it myself!
Great post, thanks for sharing, especially the gear, i’ll make sure to invest in the wireless adapter now that i know what it’s for 🙂 Cheers
Much appreciated. Exactly what I was looking for.
This was definitely helpful! I never have photos because I usually get my friends to take them. I need to go out and some some of my own. I just always feel silly taking my own pictures.
Thanks for sharing! It’s definitely hard to try and find someone to take the pictures! I’ll have to get a tripod asap! 🙂
xo, Chloe // https://funinthecloset.com/measurable-difference-makeup/
You’re photos look amazing!! I’ve been using “self photographer” as my excuse for awful mirror selfies on my blog but you’ve inspired me to aim wayyy higher! Love all of these tips.
I have the same nikon camera, what remote or app do u use??
Oh gosh, I didn’t even THINK about getting a remote! I’ve been thinking about how I need to snag photos of myself for my blog, but the hubby insists he wants to use “his” camera if he helps … that is being stored at his parents’ house several states away.
Thanks for the tips!
Such a helpful post! Thanks for the tips, can’t wait to stop shying away from taking my own photos!
Great tips here! I definitely keeping this post and coming to it when I need to ^^ Thanks for sharing 🙂
Perrine
http://www.ola-banana.com
I’ve been looking for info on taking my own pictures and these are some really good tips! Thanks for the help
These are really great tips! I have a remote for my camera, but I’m going to look into the wireless adapter!
OMG these tips are GREAT !!