Tips For Taking Blog/Instagram Photos

Considering that tip/informative posts are some of my favourite posts to read, I don’t do them myself nearly as much as I’d like to! After my friend asked for some tips about taking blog photos, I thought I’d share them with you guys here!

Taking photos is one of my favourite things to do, whether it be for my blog, Instagram or whether I’m just out and about. For all of my recent blog photos, I’ve used the Canon 1200D which is such a good, user-friendly camera! Saying that, up until Christmas last year I used my iPhone to take pictures, and it did me well! I still use my iPhone to take my Instagram photos. I don’t think there’s a need to buy an expensive camera just to take pictures, unless it’s something you’re really passionate about, your phone can do so much!

Ramble over – here are my Instagram/blog photo tips!

1. Make sure your lens is clean – This is such a simple one but so many times has a good photo been ruined for me because I had makeup/grime all over my iPhone lens! Make sure you give it a good wipe with a tissue or some cloth and you’ll be amazed at how much better the quality is. Saying that, don’t go wiping a DSLR camera lens, you could ruin it! If you think there’s something on the lens take it to a camera shop, don’t do it yourself.
2. Know your camera – Whether it’s an iPhone or a DSLR, know your camera and its settings. I like my photos being quite bright so when I’m using my phone, I tap the screen and hold down the “sun” icon that comes up to make the photo brighter. Using my camera, I adjust the ISO levels so my photo comes across bright and clear.
3. Use the light – As I said, bright, light photos are my favourite! I wander around the house and set up in the brightest spot I can find, usually under a window. Adjust your blinds so as much light as possible comes into the room.
4. Be creative with your backgrounds – Literally anything can be used as a background for a blog photo. Magazines, newspapers, wrapping paper, books, laptop keyboards, blankets, rugs… the list goes on! I love adding flowers in the background of my posts, and for a plain white background I just use a sheet of A4 paper from my printer.
5. Play around with it – Try different angles/layouts until you’re happy with what you see. Put things lying down, standing up, close together, spread out – there are endless combinations. It’s always either my first or last photo that I end up choosing!
6. Personalise it – If you have a cooking blog, add in some crumbs, utensils or cookbooks to add character and that “lived in” feel. For makeup posts, brushes, smudges of lipstick etc always look great.
7. Take inspiration – Don’t get me wrong, there’s a huge difference between inspiration and actually copying someone’s work, but having a quick browse on Pinterest/Instagram always leaves me feeling inspired.
8. Try not to over think it – Despite everything I just said, try not to over think it! Taking and creating photos should be fun! Sometimes it’s the simplest photos that look best – just go with your gut!

I hope that these tips might be of some help to other photo-lovers out there! They’re just what I’ve learned from experience and what I like to do, there are no rules when it comes to photography!

If you have any tips for taking photos, please leave them in the comments below – I’d love to hear! x