Pictures are the backbone of a blog! In a fast-paced world of Instagram, Pinterest, and photo sharing everywhere, it is not only important to take pictures for your blog, it is ESSENTIAL. Eye-catching photos can take your business to the next level, attract new readers, and give your website a clean, timeless look!
Stock photos can only get you so far, but if you’re looking for free photos without copyright take a look at our blog post on 20+ places you can find royalty-free images. These are excellent places to start to revamp your blog posts.
One of the biggest myths about blog photography is that you need an expensive DSLR camera, and a lot of technical skills, in order to shoot beautiful photos. You don’t need a degree, and you don’t even need a camera! You can use your phone. It helps that most smartphones today have excellent cameras. If you do want to invest in a good DSLR, it is worth it, just do what feels best to you!
Now that you have your phone, there are only 3 more tools you need for a successful picture!
- Tripod: A tripod is a MUST to keep your camera steady while taking photos. You can find several portable tripods on Amazon for a decent price, so you can take them with you anywhere. A variety of sizes is helpful, in case you want several angles for a specific photo.
- Ring Light: Getting a ring light was a game changer for my photos! Ring lights add a great touch of light to pictures, and they can brighten your setup with a nice glow. These also come in different sizes, and if you don’t want to buy professional studio lights, this is a great start.
- Subject: You can’t take a photo without something or someone to take a photo of! Get together your items if you’re taking a flatlay, or make sure your outfit is on point before you take a snapshot.
There are many more accessories you can get in order to upgrade your photos, such as an external phone lens, photo editing apps/programs, or backgrounds. Don’t worry about those now, though! You can always invest in more camera support if you decide that’s what will serve you best.
Writing is important when it comes to blogging, however, when you are writing content, incorporating images will improve the readability and search engine optimization (SEO) of your content. While no one takes a perfect photo every time, we want to help you succeed when it comes to putting pictures on your blog. Here are 5 tips that will help you take your blog post photos to the next level!
1. Use The Rule Of Thirds
The rule of thirds suggests that the focus of your photo should be placed at the intersection of a picture’s gridlines. Put the most important elements of your photo off center, so it doesn’t look cluttered. You can go to your phone’s camera settings and enable grid lines so you can create a more balanced photo. Another way you can put more emphasis on the subject of your photo is by making sure there is enough negative space. Negative space is the space surrounding your subject – consider the entire scene when you’re taking a picture.
2. Pay Attention to Lighting
Lighting is everything! Getting the right lighting outside of a studio can be difficult, but it is possible. Natural lighting is the best for a well-lit photo. If possible, use the sun by either going outside or opening the blinds indoors, and take advantage of the “golden hour,” the first hour after sunrise and the last hour of light before sunset. Avoid using flash, as that can lead to low-quality photos or create a flat look. Be creative and use the ring light if needed!
3. Bring Your Pictures to Life
Staged pictures feel fake, and your audience won’t resonate with them. Try to give your pictures more life by adding emotion and small authentic elements. Candids are a wonderful way to accomplish this! Demonstrate the face and personality behind your business and brand, and show off a little of yourself. If you’re comfortable with it, involve your family too. A great way to get candids is to also take many photos. Through taking dozens of shots you can find little gems in your photos that you didn’t plan on. Experiment with different poses and arrangements, and these minor changes can make a completely different picture.
4. Apply Edits as a Finishing Touch
The difference between a good photo and a great photo can lie within the editing. Editing can correct small issues and enhance elements like lighting, sharpness, and contrast. Adobe Photoshop is best for professional photo editing, but there are simpler options you can use such as Snapseed, Pixlr, or PicMonkey to give a few touches to your photos. It can be easy to over-edit your photos, but too many adjustments can make it look unnatural. Editing photos can give them the look you are hoping for, but your readers can tell when a photo doesn’t look real or authentic to you.
5. Explore Your Phone’s Features
Many times we have no idea what type of technology we carry around in our pockets all day long! Smartphones have many hidden features and capabilities that can make your life easier. Find out what you can about your phone’s camera lens – clean it and figure out how to enhance your pictures. Research the timer feature so you can use the camera on the back of your phone rather than the front-facing (selfie) camera. The quality will be way better. You can also play with camera angles to make your photos more interesting and make them stand-out. Portrait mode, timelapse, and slow motion are other features you can research to make your photos look even better!
If you don’t want to take photos yourself, you can always outsource! Find a photographer that will work with you to help your blog succeed, or team up with another blogger who loves photography. Creatives understand how difficult it is to hustle, and it’s even better when you team up with a fellow entrepreneur.
What photography tips did we leave out? We can’t wait to hear your thoughts!
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