Earlier this week, I had the chance to work on a Twitter chat about photography with the lovely ladies over at The Blog Societies. There was so much great information passed along that I wanted to make sure I got it all in one place for all my blogging friends! So, I hope this information gives you a little extra help with your blog photography:
What is your favorite thing about photography?
I love that my photos could make someone happy. You’re freezing a moment that they can look back on. Plus, nothing compares to helping someone see their beauty!
Can you give us your number one photography tip for fashion bloggers?
Find good, even lighting and a background that won’t take away from the subject of the photos. If you’re featuring an outfit, you don’t want readers distracted by what is behind you.
What kind of camera do you suggest a blogger invest in? Is a DSLR necessary?
I am pro-DSLR and a Nikon girl. You will get all kinds of answers to this question from different bloggers, and it’s truly what works the best for you. High quality photos are important in the blogging world, and you’ll get clean, crisp photos from a DSLR. I promise they’re not as intimidating to learn as they look! I would recommend starting out with a D5500. I learned on an older version of this camera and used it for nearly 8 years.
Lighting is always important, what are some tips for getting a great shot?
Shoot during the day, natural lighting results in much better photos. Outside is usually the easiest, but indoors near big windows will work, too.
Take multiple shots and get comfortable! Your photos turn out so much better when you are being yourself and not trying to force it. Be aware of your angles, you know what works for you!
Get moving! Walking adds a little extra something to your shots. Also, talk! Candid shots are comfortable, so chatting up your photographer or your friends get you some great natural shots.
Pay attention to the details. If you’re featuring something for a brand, you definitely want to make sure you get some beautiful shots of those pieces. All of your pictures don’t need to be full-body shots. Get creative and find some cool crops for your detail shots.
*If you see a shot that you like, pin it to a pinterest board or save it to an album on your phone. It’s always good to have inspiration! (I’d love to invite you to collaborate on a Blog Photo Inspiration Board, email me if you’re interested!)
What about food photography? What are things to think about?
ZOOM OUT. Everything doesn’t need to be shot up close. Be mindful of the colors of the food, you need to style it if you’re going to photograph it.
Also, get a good background. They’re easy and affordable to build, mine is distressed white wooden panels, and I’m planning to build a darker one soon. If you’ve got a good background, you can stock up on props, like tea towels and mismatched dishes to create really great shots!
We’re all curious! What’s in your camera bag?
I carry a Kelly Moore Songbird bag, which I absolutely love. Inside you’ll find my trusty D750, fit with my 50mm 1.4G lens and a fotostrap, a battery charger, a 35mm lens, extra memory cards, and a remote shutter. There’s always a few tubes of lipstick and some of my business cards, which are two things that I almost always forget! I also keep my tripod stashed in my car, just in case.
Lenses are always important but can be pricey, what’s your take on them?
I was always told to upgrade my lens before I upgraded my camera body and I stand by that advice. I shot with the camera that I bought for a college class for nearly 8 years, only I updated lenses from the kit lens to my 50mm lens that I now shoot pretty much exclusively with.
What is your workflow to get your photos from your DSLR to Instagram?
If you’re shooting in jpg (I shoot in RAW), you should invest in a wifi memory card, or check and see if your DSLR is wifi ready. That way, you can transfer your photos straight to your phone for editing and Instagram posts. I usually edit for Instagram using Afterlight or A Color Story.
How do you edit your photos for blog posts?
I import my photos into Lightroom, and usually edit them using Pretty Presets for Lightroom’s Clean & Creative Workflow. You can batch edit your photos in Lightroom (edit all the photos at once, the same way), which comes in really handy time-wise. I then crop photos, add watermarks, and Save for Web from Photoshop. I save the photos at double with width of my blog content, for retina displays.
Do you have any tips for taking photos with your phone?
Once again, lighting is important here. Get near some windows and take your pictures during the day. Phone cameras respond better in good light, the darker it is, the more grain you’ll see in the photos. Multiple angles are important, so that you can pick a favorite from the different shots.
What about editing for Instagram and other social media channels?
There are so many great apps for this, and my go-to apps for editing are Afterlight and A Color Story. The Instagram app has come a long way in the editing department as well. You could also edit with VSCO Cam and/or Snapseed.
What are your favorite resources for learning about photography?
I’ve always been a huge fan of Skillshare classes, but another huge part of photography is practice! Find a reason to go out and take pictures, like meeting up with other bloggers, photographing your friends, etc.
Some great blogger photo tips: here, here, and here
Food photography: Plate to Pixel & Tasty Food Photography
