One of the main reasons I started my blog, was to share my love and passion for photography, it’s a hobby that I really love, and something I have learnt over the years from my dad. You will always find me taking photos I am that annoying friend you know the one! I like to ‘capture’ the moment and I love it when I manage to convey a story in my photographs. As photography plays a big part in blogging, I wanted to share some tips and advice with you guys specifically when it comes to blogging photography.
What cameras do I use?
Mainly: My Nikon D3200 with 35mm lens or my 18-55mm lens
On the go: My Olympus pen with the 14-42mm kit lens
I also use my iPhone 6 camera a lot when I don’t have the above on me!
Background props
I often prefer light clutter free backgrounds, so if I have white bedding on my bed (which is next to a large window for lots of natural light) I usually take photos of products here. However sometimes this can look a little too plain, add some personality to the photo by adding props. I don’t like the word props because sometimes it sounds a little fake. I jazz up the white background with a pretty patterned notebook, flowers, magazines, a throw, cushions, basically anything you have lying around to make the photo that little bit more interesting and more you!
Flat-lays
Flat-lays are very ‘in’ right now, you may have seen them floating around the likes instagram and other forms of social media. To make your life a little easier, when photographing lipsticks or nail polish, to stop them from rolling around use white-tack or double sided tape, it’s a life saver.
Free online editors
You do not need to pay or learn how to use Photoshop for your blog photography if you do not want too, there are tons of free resources online, such as Pixlr, Picmonkey, fotor and many more, simply have a google and find one which works for you, these are handy when it comes to brightening and sharpening your images if you are not totally happy with them once you’ve got them on your laptop etc, etc.
Bokeh, Bokeh, Bokeh, Uh-huh, -Uh-huh!
You see those little dots of light in the background? That’s ‘bokeh’ my fairy lights in the background have changed into large blurred out of focus circles of light due to the focus being on the foreground – my iPhone! Technically, you can create the illusion of this effect in Photoshop or an online editor with the blur tool, but it’s a lot easier to just buy a lens that does this for you because bokeh is created by the lens type not the actual camera.
Equipment
I am going to ahead and say that whilst a tripod (around £15.00) isn’t 100% necessary when it comes to blogging photography, you won’t regret it! Throw in a little wireless remote from eBay (£3.00) and you can snap pictures without running back and forth pressing the self timer button. A tripod just makes your life easier, if you do invest money into a camera, don’t risk breaking it by balancing it on books, shelves, etc trying to get the right shot trust me because I have been there, done that and got the t-shirt!
Get inspired and be creative
Pinterest and We heart it, are great sources for inspiration when it comes to photography, note the word inspiration, its great to admire and enjoy but don’t copy photo styles when you have your own! Legally it can also get pretty messy if you use someones photograph or work without asking, always double check as it’s better to be safe than sorry!
Nice post! I am that annoying friend that is always taking pictures too haha great tips 🙂
Paula | http://www.namelessgap.blogspot.com
Love this post, so many useful bits of information 🙂
This was really helpful! I need to invest in a tripod, I take a lot of photos of cakes and food and a tripod would make some angling much easier! I’ll have to get looking!
I love the “props” you use too, but I agree that you have to use items that are very you. I need to find what props work best for me!
Thank you for sharing your tips 🙂
This was so helpful and love posts like this. I need to learn to master the bokeh effect to get that pretty effect.
Jackie | fashionxfairytale |
From a new blogger’s perspective this is really helpful and good to know! Thanks for this! Xx
Tips like these are always welcome, especially from someone with such pretty photos! x
Jodie // jodieloue.com
This post was very helpful for me. I’ve only started my blog recently and photography is something that I’m currently struggling with. Great post!
My photography is so weak! Thanks so much for these tips, I’m going to put these into practice right now x
http://www.thebeautyrookie21.blogspot.co.uk
This blog post is a life saver! I have been wanting to up my photography skill (actually I’m really terrible at it but trying to learn more and improve) and have been saving up to invest in a good camera. Also, no worry because I’m also that annoying friend that want to capture the moment. ?
Your photos are always stunning! So jealous of your Olympus Pen – it’s really doing the blogging rounds at the moment isn’t it?! Great tips. xx
This was a really useful post, your photos are gorgeous! I’ve been meaning to get a tripod for such a long time!
Kirstie | Behind The Scent
Your pictures are always lovely, so thanks for sharing your secrets! 🙂
These are great tips! Do you have any websites I can buy props/backgrounds for my blog photos?
Laila from Townhouse Palette
Double sided sticky tape is a genius idea! How have I not thought of that, after all this time. Thanks so much for that and this wonderful post. x
Thank your for some great tips! It looks like there are quite a few of us new bloggers here, and we appreciate you paying it forward!
Love this blog post! As a Photography student I completely agree with your points! Also, I’m so jealous of your Olympus Pen. Is it any good? Worth buying? xx
Really helpful post! I definitely agree with getting a tripod – it helps to prevent shaky images too! x
http://cocoamay.blogspot.co.uk
These tips are amazing! I’m always looking for ways to improve my photography!
xo, alice / T Y P E N U
Great post I really need some help with my photography skills! I have also fallen in love with the Olympus pen camera, I have notified the boyfriend it’s the next present I want!!
Charlotte x
Lottiethings.com
Fab tips, your photos are always so beautiful! <3
Jess xo
Great tips! I’ve always really admired your photography style.
Abigail Alice x | Check out my Carli Bybel Giveaway!
I really need to get a tripod! -Audrey | Brunch at Audrey’s
This was so helpful, I’d never heard of ‘bokeh’ before but I love the effect!
Tanya xoxo
http://www.tanyablackstar.co.uk/
Another great post!
I love your photography so much, I’m still learning how to master my camera so I don’t have to rely on my boyfriend all the time!
Farah X
http://www.vatkinary.com
Aaaaaaaah Becky, youve made my day with this post! I’m always on the hunt for any blog photography posts you put up. I’ll always save them and read them constantly hhahaha! I really love your posts and your writing style and I’d love to see more photography related posts because you know how much I swoon over your photos! hahaha
Photography posts are so useful, I always struggle with mine and it is so difficult to find the right light. I love your photos! 🙂
Yiota
PinkDaisyLoves
I really need to get my hands on a tripod and remote! I’ve been getting more into Youtube recently and it is the biggest pain trying to set up my camera on books and trying to focus it without a remote! I loved these tips – I really like the idea of an out of focus background that is still interesting
Steph – http://www.nourishmeblog.co.uk
I really need to pick up a tripod, I just never know which one to get, especially as I use a Olympic Pen camera 🙂
xxx Claire
http://www.claireellis.co.uk/
I love your photos and how I don’t even have to look at the author to know it’s you. That’s some real signature photography! That’s something I aim for. Great tips as well!
LIINALOVESXO
May I just say how happy I am to have stumbled onto your blog… It’s so pretty but yet very professional…
I’m just starting my blog and I want to know, what kind of lighting do you use if your natural lighting is not good?
Kirsten | http://www.ninetyone17.co.za
Great post. We have a nice Nikon but I’m always so intimidated by it. Thanks for sharing the free pic editor software. I like knowing that I don’t need to invest in Photoshop, especially when I wouldn’t use it that much.
Super helpful! I’ve been eyeing the Olympus Pen for a while now and think I’ll go for it once I’ve saved enough!
I’ve definitely found I use my tripod all the time now, the next items on my wishlist are a remote and a lightbox. You have really beautiful photos 🙂 x
I love using Pixlr, such a great free desktop application – I don’t usually do too much editing on my photos but it’s great for what I do which is alter things like the brightness and contrast 🙂
Lovely tips! I find using blue tac when I’m doing flat lays so important. It really does help to prevent your lipsticks rolling away haha x
Lauren | itslaurenvictoria.blogspot.co.uk
So helpful for a newbie blogger like me! I love your blog and Instagram 🙂 x
This post is so helpful! Love it. Thank you!! 😀
Victoria
X
http://victorialouisekblogs.blogspot.fr/
Love this post, It’s really helpful. I’ve just gotten the Nikon d5300, and after reading this I will defo be investing in a tripod and wirless remote.
Tenz
http://www.shesabouthatlife.com
xxxx
Great tips! I really love that camera. Do you recommend it over a DSLR?
I love taking photos too, and I love the photography in your blog. You have a real talent for making things look so dreamy and light. Thank you for sharing your tips, it’s always helpful to learn something new 🙂 Angharad x
http://www.welshandwonderful.com
I’ve just started trying to get back into my photography and these are some great tips to help get me started with composition – thank you!
Brillant post. So helpful. Thank you x
I absolutely adore your photography. I’ll definitely be following your tips!
http://www.leahrachelgoth.blogspot.co.uk
I’ve been talked out of buying the Pen due to lenses being expensive. Do you think it’s worth the investment?
There’s definately a lot to know about this issue.
I love all of the points you have made.
I can´t get over how lovely your pictures are!