Ever wonder how those fabulous fashion bloggers get such great photographs?  Brooke Jones of Miss Jones & Me is dishing all of her secret tips and tricks to making her space look like a professional studio.

When I first started my personal style blog it didn’t take long for me to realize that simply putting cute outfits together was only the beginning.   I quickly found that capturing my freshly styled look on camera was going to be my biggest obstacle.

The first problem I ran into was finding the time to take pictures and finding a photographer with enough patience.  Like many other people, my blog is a hobby for my own personal pleasure and not a career that sustains my shopping habits.  Because of this, I often find myself scrambling to throw together a post before rushing off to work.  It’s hard enough to find the time on my own, let alone have to coordinate it with someone willing to snap off a few shots.  At first my boyfriend supportively played the role of Mr. Photographer man, but as our schedules became too conflicting I had no choice but to call up my old friend self-timer.

The second problem I ran into was choosing the perfect setting.  Having your picture taken out in public can be scary and intimidating to say the very least, especially when you’re just getting started.  Not to mention it can be time consuming if you’re making a special trip out just to get a few shots.   I know that a lot of bloggers take pictures of themselves in their own backyards where they are hidden from the curious eyes that flood the high streets.  I however live in a tiny apartment with zero green space and have therefore settled on keeping the majority of my model moments safely tucked indoors.

It’s definitely more of a challenge to produce good pictures in the absence of scenery and natural light, but through a little bit of trial and a lot of error, I’ve found a few things that work for me.

1. Get to know your camera.

-          Before you start aimlessly snapping away, spend some time playing with the settings on your camera.  Take some test shots to see what settings work best at different distances and different levels of light.  A lot of cameras allow you to configure the self-timer to determine the number of pictures it will take and the time it will allow you to prepare.   I also highly recommend investing in a tripod.  It beats the balancing act of placing your camera on a dresser or a bar stool with the hope that it will stop wobbling long enough to make for a few blur-free shots. 

2. Make a mini-set in your place that works for you.

-          If you are consistently unsatisfied with the pictures from a particular room or area in your house/apartment switch up the location.  Even lighting that isn’t natural plays an important part in the quality of a picture and some rooms are simply better at providing the goods. 

-          If you feel awkward posing with just a plain wall as a background, find an area in your house that is interesting and has pieces you can use as props.   This will also give you something to do with those pesky hands!   

-          Play with the height of your tripod to achieve different effects.  You’ll be amazed at what placing your camera at a lower height will do for the length of your legs!

-          Make sure your set is tidy!  Nobody visits your blog to see your dirty laundry or dirty dishes.  It also distracts the viewer from you and your clothes and just looks unprofessional.

ex.  Using a prop vs. a plain white wall.

3. Some smart photo editing doesn’t hurt!

-          Photo editing doesn’t have to be tedious or difficult.  Even if you’re in a hurry there are a few things you should always fix before publishing your images.  It’s especially important with inside shots to enhance the lighting.  Even if you use the perfect camera setting you’ll likely need to adjust the exposure and the contrast.  Another quick and easy fix is to correct any red-eye and to sharpen out any blurring.  And if you didn’t listen to rule #2, now is your chance to crop out any disorder on your set!  For quick, easy and stress-free photo editing I recommend Picnik.

The most important thing is for you to have fun, experiment, and be yourself.  After all, you’re the one that gets to make the final cut so you might as well take a few chances!

About Brooke Jones

A small city girl with big city fashion dreams, Brooke Jones is a fashion blogger, freelance journalist and English major in her final year of study.  While she enjoys good literature, she’s also a huge sucker for glossy magazines with pretty pictures and plans on pursuing a career in fashion journalism after graduation.  She has recently become completely enthralled by the online fashion community and now enjoys spending countless hours trapped in the blogosphere with a generous glass of wine.

Visit her blog: Miss Jones & Me

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