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I'm Kayla. A 20-something obsessed with makeup, planner decorating, and board games. Working towards a more organized, simplified life one post at a time.


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How to Take Better Blog Photos

  • 2.16.2015


Photos are a huge part of blogging and every photography session is a learning experience. There's always something new to learn about light, photo composition, and editing. Although I'm no expert (is anyone really?) I thought I'd share a few tips and tricks I've picked up along the way.

  • Cropping your photos can really help direct the viewer's eye to exactly what you want them to see. Plus it can take away any unnecessary white space or dead space. I personally like to crop my photos close, having important items be a bit out of the frame. 
  • Adjust exposure a little in either direction depending on what you need. I like to shoot a bit on the dark side and adjust brighter in editing. That way I won't lose any information as you'll tend to lose important details if you're shooting too bright. It's always easier to pull things out of a darker photo than try to save something that's been blown out.
  • Enhance the blacks on your photos to really make colors pop. There's just something about a photo with darker darks that seems so much better than one that hasn't been corrected. 
  • Composition is important. No matter what camera or editing software you have, setting up a good photo is key. Try to keep mixing things up so your photography stays interesting. Change your background, layer items, think outside the box!
  • Natural lighting is best, but sometimes you have to work with what you've got. The top photo was taken with natural lighting, but ones in the before/after photos weren't. I love them both for different reasons. At the end of the day as long as you get a well lit photo, it doesn't matter when or how you took it. Don't feel pressured to buy expensive lighting or even scrap for every ounce of natural light you can get. Find a technique that works for you and keep it, no matter what it is.



When I stopped worrying about good photographs and started to just have fun with my camera, the good photos came. Don't stress too much if you aren't a photography genius when you first pick up the camera. Everything about blogging is a learning process, so enjoy the experience!

xoxo Kayla

21 comments

  1. ellaboo xoFebruary 16, 2015 at 8:28 AM

    I'm stuck in a bit of a blogger's photography block right now! Thanks for the tips Kayla :)

    ellabooxo | beauty, lifestyle, etc.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousFebruary 17, 2015 at 8:24 AM

      I just did a post on ideas for blog photography backgrounds if you're interested! https://thebeautysanctuary.wordpress.com/2015/02/17/ideas-for-blog-photography-backgrounds/

      Delete
  2. JackieFebruary 16, 2015 at 11:05 AM

    This was so lovely and useful. I love how I edit and it's kind of like this as well.

    Jackie | fashionxfairytale | bloglovin' |

    ReplyDelete
  3. JaninafranFebruary 16, 2015 at 1:35 PM

    Awesome tips, very helpful. Thank you :)
    XO Janina
    http://janinafran.blogspot.ca

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hayley NicoleFebruary 16, 2015 at 6:53 PM

    Great tips, I can often get frustrated with the photography side of my blog because I am the furthest thing from an expert! But like you said when you stop worrying and have fun, that's usually when the best photos get produced x

    makeupmusicandfashion.blogspot.co.uk

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  5. Gemma CareyFebruary 16, 2015 at 6:55 PM

    Great tips - photos are definitely something I need to improve on!

    http://www.gemmacarey.com/

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  6. Rebecca EllisFebruary 16, 2015 at 7:06 PM

    I will admit my photography blog wise is pretty rubbish at the moment, mostly because I hadn't picked up a camera on the basis of having to photograph something, it's always been a case of in the moment if that makes sense? great tips however :) I hope my blog can only improve! x

    www.sheintheknow.co.uk

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  7. nueyorkFebruary 16, 2015 at 7:29 PM

    All of my photos have been looking a bit too similar lately, so this definitely gave me some inspiration! I really need to take my time and experiment with a few different backgrounds.

    nueyork.blogspot.com

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  8. zsuzsanna wrywoodFebruary 17, 2015 at 5:42 AM

    This was really helpful thanks ^^ Great Blog!

    Z ♥
    http://beautybyz.blogspot.se/

    ReplyDelete
  9. beautybyaliceeFebruary 17, 2015 at 6:06 AM

    Thank you, this post is really helpful, I'm always trying to change my photos up so things stay interesting, but it's sometimes hard if you have no inspiration!

    alice x | beautybyalicee | Bloglovin' | YouTube

    ReplyDelete
  10. Elise DopsonFebruary 17, 2015 at 7:56 AM

    These are great tips. I completely agree on composition being super important. Thanks for sharing! x
    Elise @ Elise Dopson

    ReplyDelete
  11. Emma BrookmanFebruary 17, 2015 at 2:42 PM

    Great tips, I like to do a close crop too! Thanks for sharing xo

    http://lifebeautyandem.blogspot.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  12. Beauty BirdFebruary 17, 2015 at 4:03 PM

    I do stress about photography! I think it's because I find it one of or if not the most difficult aspect of blogging. I need to take a breath and enjoy it more like you said xx

    Ramblings of a Beauty Bird | Beauty Blog

    ReplyDelete
  13. Amy MiddlemissFebruary 18, 2015 at 6:15 AM

    Such a helpful post. Posts can be so stressful!
    http://amyymiddlemiss.blogspot.co.uk

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  14. Zeynab MFebruary 18, 2015 at 7:26 AM

    rest tips, I am always trying to improve my photography skills. Photos have become just a big part of blogging.
    Zeynab x
    http://thebeautyload.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/easy-no-bake-oreo-cheesecake-recipe.html

    ReplyDelete
  15. Tanya GolubevaFebruary 18, 2015 at 1:43 PM

    Lovely post!!!! Great photos. Would you like to follow each other on GFC?! Let me know and follow me on my blog, I will follow you right back on both GFC and Bloglovin!
    xx
    Tanya
    What makes you beautiful & bloglovin

    ReplyDelete
  16. LulleFebruary 18, 2015 at 4:35 PM

    I struggle a lot with light! I don't have good natural light inside because my windows are very small - I'm thankful for that in the middle of the summer but it's not ideal for taking pictures. Outdoors the So Cal sun tends to burn colors out.
    I manage to make decent product pictures (I think!) but the real problem is worn makeup. It just never looks as vibrant/colorful as it does in real life. :(

    Beaumiroir, Beauty With A French Touch

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MicroscopeBeautyFebruary 18, 2015 at 4:40 PM

      I definitely agree with the struggle with face photography. I'm still working out how I like to do it, and will definitely be posting about it once I do!

      Delete
  17. Alethea TodaroFebruary 20, 2015 at 4:55 PM

    Great post! I believe it is also all about the camera you use. A good quality camera goes a long way with the quality of your pictures. This is something I am working on right now!

    http://thepowerofthepretty.blogspot.com/

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  18. Barbara EvinaFebruary 21, 2015 at 7:01 PM

    Thanks for the tips, I've been trying really hard recently

    http://mllehortense.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. MicroscopeBeautyMarch 31, 2015 at 7:46 AM

    I saved this post, for tips on my new beauty blog and its been so useful to me - so just wanted to say Thanks and that I love your blog xx

    ReplyDelete

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