Today I am sharing some Photography Tips for creating standout photos for your blog!
One thing many bloggers wish they had been better at when they first started blogging is their photography.
Many bloggers, myself included, are now going back and re-shooting old recipes and crafts because our photos back then are not the greatest.
You want to start your blog off on the right foot, and having standout photographs on your blog will be key in your success.
Not only do great photos draw in readers, but they also draw in clients.
When brands and pr reps are looking to pitch bloggers they are looking at your blog.
They are looking to see that you can write engaging articles, can take beautiful photos, and that you have an audience.
In order to grow an audience, your photographs are just as important as the content you are putting out.
For recipes, crafts and review articles, you will want to take original photos.
Having the knowledge and skill to make those photos amazing is extremely important!
Photography Tips For Your Blog
Over the 8+ years that I have been blogging, I have learned a thing or two.
I’m extremely grateful to have an amazing network of bloggers who share their tips and tricks with others.
Today I am going to share a few photography tips so you can start creating standout photos for your blog.
1. Invest In A Good Camera
When I first started blogging I had a point and shoot digital camera and my Blackberry.
Neither took great photos.
A few years ago I invested in a DSLR camera and some lenses.
I currently shoot with a Canon EOS Rebel T3 and almost always my 50mm lens.
While it has served its purpose and does take great photos, I will soon be investing in a full frame camera to take my photographs to the next level.
Like I mentioned in my past blogging tips articles, investing in your blog is important, it is your business.
When you purchase a camera for your business it is a write-off during tax time, so be sure to save your receipt.
If you can afford to go with a full frame camera out of the gate I highly suggest doing so.
If not, a lower end DSLR is more budget-friendly and can produce incredible photographs too.
2. Natural Light VS Artificial Light
When taking photographs for your blog, having an area in your home where you get incredible natural light is #bloggergoals, honestly!
In my home, the best spot for me to take photographs is in my office.
My office is in the sunroom attached to our house, with huge bay windows.
I have set up three different tables on one side of the room along the windows to take my photographs on.
With that said, not every day is a sunny day in paradise.
The winter can be especially difficult to shoot with natural light.
For this reason, having quality artificial photography lighting is needed.
I currently have the Lowel Ego Digital Imaging Tabletop Fluorescent Light to shoot with when shooting with natural light is not possible.
In the next few months, I will be investing in more photography lighting.
I want a ring light for video, as well as some larger photography lighting too.
3. Photography Props
Having great photography props is just as important as having a great camera.
You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars on props.
Many of the props I use are bought at garage sales, Value Village, dollar stores and things I already own.
Photography backdrops are important too.
Two of the three tables I have can be used as backdrops as they are distressed wooden tops.
I bought them on VarageSale from someone who hand makes furniture.
You can also head to your local home improvement store and buy some wood slats, stain, distress, and nail them together to make your own.
I also own a handful of amazing vinyl backdrops I purchased off Swanky Prints on Etsy.
One is a marble style and the others are wooden styles.
If you are on a budget, you can also use black and white foam boards from the dollar store.
The whiteboards are also great for reflecting light so you don’t have harsh shadows in your photos too!
Another great investment is a tripod.
I have pretty shaky hands and sometimes this can cause my photos to blur.
A tripod is also great for overhead shots and video too!
I purchased the Amazon Basics tripod and love it!
4. How To Take A Great Photo
A few photography tips I have learned to take great photos for my blog:
- Set up your camera, lighting if needed, and props prior to starting to shoot. It will make shooting faster!
- Shoot in RAW. I capture both RAW and JPG formats when taking photos and use my RAW photos to edit for the blog.
- Take photos at different angles. For flat food, you should take an overhead, 3/4 angle, and overhead partial shots.
- Get close to what you are shooting, it will capture the textures and close up photos are much better than distance when it comes to food.
I want to add that when taking photos in RAW format you don’t have to worry as much about getting the perfect lighting.
With RAW you have so much more editing ability, you can easily fix dark or blown out photos.
When shooting in JPG format, you have less ability to fix bad photos.
I always suggest shooting in RAW and capturing both the RAW and JPG format of the photos.
5. Learn To Edit Your Photos
Learning to edit photos can be intimidating.
Programs like Photoshop and Lightroom are amazing tools to help you bring your photos from ok to amazing.
Even after 6 years of blogging I still am constantly learning and teaching myself skills to better my blog.
I recently took two photo editing courses as part of a BETA testing group for two amazing bloggers, and ladies I call friends!
Randa from The Bewitchin’ Kitchen and Stacie from Simply Stacie created Click Start Club to help bloggers reach their full potential when it comes to photography and video.
These ladies output incredible photography on their blogs.
Their recipe photos are something I aspire to be able to do, and with their course, I am getting there.
There are so many courses online with photography tips and I have taken my fair share.
Many were way too technical for my tell-it-to-me-straight brain.
On top of that, some of the courses out there are just plain expensive.
Randa and Stacie have created these two courses for editing in Photoshop and Lightroom with those things in mind.
They speak to the many bloggers who are not professional photographers, don’t know all the technical terms, and who can’t afford $100’s of dollars on one course.
Their course is filled with amazing photography tips and it is so easy to understand.
They lead you through the step-by-step process from snapping a good photo to editing it into an amazing photo!
If you are interested in taking your photography to the next level you must go take their courses.
You can take either the Photoshop or Lightroom course for only $79 USD.
If you are like me and want to learn both so you can have the ability to edit in either program, they also have a special bundle offer for both courses for only $138 USD (a $20 savings).
Stay tuned, I will be sharing more tips on blogging soon. Some of the topics I will be covering are:
- How to start a blog
- How to make money blogging
- Photography tips
- Best places to get images for your blog
- Affiliate marketing
- How to write the perfect pitch
- Amazing resources & tools for bloggers
- 5 investments for your blog that are worth it
- … and so much more!
Do you have any photography tips you would like to share? Drop them in the comment section below!
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Heather Lynne says
It really is an important skill for bloggers! I’m glad that I came into blogging with photography experience (that said, I can always improve, particularly in the types of photography that I didn’t already specialize in!)
kristen visser says
Absolutely love this post. Very helpful. I have it bookmarked as I know a couple bloggers that will find use for this as well as I going forward with how I take my photos
Sarah Bailey says
Thank you so much for this, I seem to go up and down with my photos so it is nice to have some tips to hopefully bring the quality up all the time!
Claudia Krusch says
Thank you for the fantastic tips on taking photos. I have been trying to improve my skills I will have to try these this weekend. I have a lot of food shots to take.
Cassie says
Great tips here! I’m still trying to get the hang of food photography and it definitely is a learning curve! Will try some of these tips for sure
Paula schuck says
I know that I need to improve my photography but I just don’t have the time right this moment are they going to offer it again at another time or will it be downloadable later ? Do you know?
Randa @ The Bewitchin' Kitchen says
Hey Paula! It will always be available 🙂 The limited time offer is for the pricing 🙂 The price goes up August 7, but the course and free photography course will always be there!
Tara Pittman says
I love all the learning that I get from other bloggers. I have seen the changes in my photos
Jen Temcio says
I have been trying so hard to figure out why my photos turn out blurry and grainy! I have lowered the ISO, shoot in natural light and they are still terrible… I need to delve into your tips and figure it out!
Kerrie Mendoza says
I couldn’t agree more – photos are critical to your success (I sure wish I could get rid of some of my early ones!). Looking into the courses you recommended.
Heather Johnson says
Ugh. Taking good photos for my website is definitely something that I struggle with. I have gotten better over the years, but I am a much better writer than photographer!
Lynzy & Co says
OMG these are such great tips for sure. I am always looking to improve my photography so these tips are awesome. Thanks for sharing.
Blair villanueva says
I good natural light is always the best. I am hapoy that I invest on my dslr camera and now having a smooth photography process. I know am not a professional but I tried my best to make my photos speaks to themselves.
Theresa Sutton says
Photography is one of the things that I have been working on this year. These are some great tips to be able to make things better.
Adaleta says
Photography is crazy important on a blog and learning how to do it yourself can save a lot of money!
Krystel | Disney on a Budget says
Oh man thanks so much for these tips. I love using my calendar but I could really get better.
Andrea says
Thanks for sharing your tips! I find it SUPER frustrating trying to shoot in the winter too, because it’s dark when I get off work, so I only have the weekends to snap pics with natural lighting (which makes ALL the difference). I’m off to check out your recommendation for the Lowel light!
Anosa says
Such an interesting and informative post. I am yet to try buying a good mirrorless camera. Still saving up for it. Hopefully I can my myself at the end of the year.
Leigh Anne Borders says
This is an area I am really trying to work on. I know that next step is to purchase a good camera!
Emily Morton says
These are some awesome tips! I’ve been working on upping my photography game so this is valuable info for me!
liz Cleland says
I love the idea of resourcing your equipment at local thrift stores or garage sales. I see tons of camera stands etc at them. I also would suggest using tin foil and white paper to reflect light off surfaces. Just play around with it but it’s so life changing!
Lily Ashley says
This are absolutely great tips for bloggers. Photography and the best camera is the most important one.
Madelain says
These are great tips on blogging photography! I too have a Canon, the T3i, but looking to upgrade and unsure what I want.
Hey Sharonoox says
This is great tips! Agree that investing in a good camera is important. I prefer taking photograph with natural light.
Raluca Lenghel Covaci says
I am very critical when it comes to my blog, I am always very harsh on myself and I am never satisfied with my pictures. I constantly try to improve my techniques. I have been blogging for a few years now and, looking back at my older pictures, I wish I would have had more guidance.
Aduke @ Aduke Schulist says
These are all great tips. I was one of those bloggers who started out with terrible pictures. I’ve improved a lot over the years lol
Carole D says
I’m currently saving to buy good camera, I’m not a blogger but love to take photo, these tips will come in handy.
kathy downey says
I really need to buy a better camera and learn all the tips,after all i have a new grandson and photos need to be taken !