Photography for Bloggers – Basic supplies for better photos
Photography for Bloggers – Basic supplies for better photos
Hi guys! This is the first post in the newest blog series here on ByDawnNicole.com, Photography for Bloggers. These posts are for those of you who aren’t entirely comfortable with photography. We’re going to walk you through setting up a shot, using your camera, and ultimately editing your photos to make them look fantastic. We hope you’ll learn something useful!
This post is all about setting up a shot. We go over different supplies & props you might want to have on hand, getting some great light, and how to keep your photos similar throughout your blog. Let’s get started.
Gather some different Backgrounds
The more individual backgrounds you have, the wider range of shots you can use in your blog. In my arsenal, I have an old wooden farm table I use for more rustic or organic projects. I have poster board I bought at a local craft store, I’ve added more colors over the years. Using a flat bright color as your background is really popular right now, and makes for some fun photos.
You can find some really great surfaces around your home, without having to buy anything! Look for surfaces such as coffee tables, large cutting boards, or office desks. I try to use surfaces that are light & small enough for me to drag over to a light source, aka window. I also tend to use fun printed fabrics, or fabrics with interesting textures.
Stockpile some Props
If you tend to be a bit of a hoarder, this is good news for you. One thing that makes a big difference in blog photographs is propping it, another term is ‘staging’. Essentially it’s adding in other items to the photograph, that are similar to the subject you’re shooting. They beef up the image, and make it more interesting. You’ll want items & trinkets that tell a story, and also make the photograph look pretty. I like to imagine my subject at a classy friends house. If they just baked this loaf of bread, and put it out on the table, what would be around it? If you’re doing a journal printable, what would be on her desk?
Are you a recipe blogger? Get some pretty plates. Unique silverwear. You could use different patterned cloths & napkins. Fresh ingredients from your recipe. Get your cookware involved. Do you have a DIY blog? Use items like paintbrushes or different colored paints. Nails or screws you used to put together that home-cut shelf. Have a natural living blog? Use some fresh herbs. Professional photographers have countless props, and a large chunk of the budget is set aside to purchase new items for their stockpile. The minimalist in me hates the idea of a stockpile of just props, so I tend to use things I already own, or only purchase props that I will actually use in my day-to-day life. This is also a good excuse to use aesthetically pleasing things.
Lighting: keep it natural, keep it bright
The lighting of your blog photos can really make or break them. No one likes a dark photo that’s obviously illuminated by a small flash. It looks cheap. To get the best looking photos for your money, use a natural light source rather than artificial lighting. I go as far as turning off all of the lights in the room, and just using the window. Good photos are clear & have contrast between the subject & background.
Buy another white posterboard at the store next time you think about it. I use the white poster boards as a ‘bounce’, or reflector. What’s a bounce? A bounce simply ‘bounces’, or reflects, light. It fills in more light on the subject, particularly in the shadows. It can reduce the overall contrast of an image. Position the bounce opposite the window, and angled so it fills in the shadows of your subject. Watch your subject closely & move the bounce around to see how this affects your subject. You can either prop it up against something like a chair to reflect the light, or have your child/friend/significant other hold it in place while you shoot (which is much easier). Instead of poster board, you could definitely use a white bed sheet, or even a pillowcase for smaller subjects.
Shooting Supplies
Now it’s time to actually take the photograph. You have your background set up, your subject & props in place, and have your lighting how you want it. You’re ready to go! Get that DSLR out of it’s box from when your husband bought it for you last Christmas, or check around on Craigslist for a used camera. For my blog posts, I use a Nikon DSLR, with a 30 mm lens (that I LOVE) for some serious depth of field. I also use a tripod, since a lot of my blog photos have me handling something, and I can’t be holding the camera with two hands that are busy. If you don’t have access to a DSLR or tripod, no worries. Smart phones these days have gotten extremely sophisticated, and take beautiful photos. Start there.
Keeping your Photos Looking Similar
I could go into a whole other long post about keeping your blog brand consistent, but I’ll just discuss the photography side of it here. When shooting & editing photos, I like to imagine myself as a curator. I want all of my images to have the same look & feel, to make my blog feel whole, instead of individual pieces. You want to make your photos feel like a ‘collection’. You want someone to look at the photo and say ‘that came from so-and-so’s blog’.
Think of things such as recurring props, maybe you use a specific background, maybe you only shoot your subjects from above. You could use the same editing techniques for every photo, or use the same color palette for each photo.
Up Next: Part Two of Photography for Bloggers – DSLR Basics
Photography for Bloggers – Basic supplies for better photos
Katie @ Katie Jarman
I’m Katie! An illustrator, photographer, and creator. I spend my days illustrating custom portraits, and designing cutting files for paper crafting. When I’m not working, you can find me grubbing around in the garden, or off on an adventure with my husband & our dog. I enjoy fresh cooking, art, live music, and enjoying nature.
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