An expensive camera and lens is not the secret to fantastic blog photos. It’s all about lighting and backgrounds.
Some rules I always stick too when taking photos are:
1. Use natural light, or a lighting kit.
Use an area of your house that gets natural light. I use my living room floor in front of a main window. Artificial lights will give your photos an awful tinge.
You can use lighting kits, too. But of course, these cost money and take up space.
2. Keep the background clear.
Don’t take photos with a messy background. If you’re setting something on your desk, clear it beforehand.
You don’t want your background to distract from your product or point of the photo.
3. Add a few props in the background.
This leads me to the point of todays post. Add a few props to the background of your photos. Most of these you can find around the house. Here are some of the props I use:
Artificial flowers.
While real flowers work just as well, they don’t last as long as fake ones. I’ve got a selection that I keep by my bed that I bought specifically for photos.
Example: A statement Necklace with Scarlet Olive
Fairy lights
I bought a small Christmas tree last December and it came with these fairy lights.
I sometimes use these lights in the background of photos as they give a lovely glow if I’m using the right settings.
I also use the fairy lights I have wrapped around the headstand of my bed in some cases.
Example: Me Me Me Beat The Blues
Candles and tea lights.
Candles were the first prop I bought for taking blog photos. They look great in the background and I usually use a couple together and blur the background out.
Example: InstaNatural Hyaluronic Acid Serum // Wait – ACID?
Home decor items.
I was sent this heart made of tiny bells as a valentines surprise. It’s intended to decorate your home but also makes a fantastic background item.
Technology and notebooks.
Using your tech items, camera items and notebooks can make great props for posts where you’re talking about blogging, social media or life in general. I’ve put my phone and Macbook in my photos many times!
Example: 7 ways to leave great blog comments
What props do you use for blog photos?
Corinne, these ideas are awesome! I really prefer to use natural light for my pics, because my lenses are not so good for dark places.. Thanks for sharing this interesting post, always useful! Have a lovely day!
xx
cvetybaby.com
So many lovely ideas here! It’s amazing what you can find lying around the house to use! Props really make a difference to a photo 🙂
http://www.stylesunrise.co.uk
x
Great ideas and helpful tips.
Natural light is a win-win!! I always try to go with white background because it looks so neat and fine!!
These are great ideas…I love natural light and sometimes use a nice wrapping paper behind my items for shooting, Lots of different things are great to use 🙂 xx
I feel like I’m seeing fake flowers pop up more in blog photos! It’s such a great idea. I always use jewelry, books, and perfume bottles in mine.
I have the same background for my blog pictures and even my boys (who are the photographers) think that it is boring. But I just do not have the time to go out and find another location for pictures!
Great post! It’s funny how some people don’t understand these basic tips for taking photographs.Changing a few simple things in photos can make a blog look 10x better!
Emily
http://dreamuphappiness.blogspot.co.uk/
You know, I’ve been noticing you’ve been using candles & different things. Good idea! Makes the picture stand out more!
A very helpful and informative post, Corinne! I struggle with background props as you’ll notice from my pictures so this post comes in handy!
Shireen | Reflection of Sanity
great post – I was literally just saying I haven’t invested in a good camera yet and I always worry about my photos so these little tips will definitely help even if I’m just using my iPhone.
Do you recommend any cameras or programmes to use?
L x
I 100% agree with all of these tips. White, clear backgrounds really work well and I love putting candles in the background of photos as well 🙂
Gabrielle | A Glass Of Ice
x
I 100% agree with all of these tips. White, clear backgrounds really work well and I love putting candles in the background of photos as well 🙂
Gabrielle | A Glass Of Ice
x
These are great tips, especially about using candles and other decorative items in the background!
lovejoanna.com
So many great ideas! I love using natural light, so I try to shoot outdoors or by a window 🙂
such great tips 🙂 thanks for sharing them x
http://only4feet9.blogspot.com
It’s very useful and informative post! Great ideas, Corinne! Thanks for sharing))
Fantastic prop tips. I’ve somehow never thought to use fake flowers, only real ones. What a marvelous idea.
:] // ▲ itsCarmen.com ▲
Your phone is blog famous. I like candles and flowers. Beauty products work well too 🙂
India / Touchscreens & Beautyqueens | UK Lifestyle Blog
really nice post!
http://www.fashi0n-m0de.blogspot.it
amazing tips!
Nameless Fashion Blog
Great suggestions the British winter plays havoc with taking pictures, sometimes artificial light is needed. Best tip is wallpaper you can get it free and great great backdrops Lucy x
These are great tips! I love using fake flowers as props in my photos 🙂
Rachel xx
http://www.thedailyluxe.net
Great tips! I use fake flowers, too, they are a great prop. Also, scrapbook paper and colored fabric. And cute napkins for food posts!
Great tips! 🙂 I love using natural light for photos, definitely works a lot better I think x
http://www.sheintheknow.co.uk
I’m gonna get my hands on some artifical flowers, yours look gorgeous!
If the post is on makeup, which they mostly are, I just use my prettier compacts in the background. Other times, I pick lipsticks with punchy colours. Sometime to make it not look like a stock photo!
totally agree, good lighting is key!! 😀
Animated Confessions
These are great props
Candice | Beauty Candy Loves
♥♥♥
Love this, I totally try to do it but mine look wierd lol
check out my newest post
xx
Tyana
theluxedition.blogspot.com
Cute ideas. I love candles 🙂
I’ve started using backgrounds in my images and have been having a play around with props, but taking all my pictures on my iPhone makes it a little more fiddly! Now the weather is getting better I’m able to use more natural light too, the lighting is shocking where I live and I struggle so much, well that, and I always take my photos at the wrong time of the day lol!
Sarah 🙂
Saloca in Wonderland
Cool Ideas …love the candles ideas actually
i will use for sure 🙂
Love these ideas. I tend to use home decor as well. Or sometimes use my bedsheets as a background if they’re pretty x
for now I just have the fake flowers… I love taking photographs of food though, so I mostly focus on that. I get so frustrated with product photography coz I just can’t seem to get it right.