When I started MDM a few years ago, I didn’t have too much experience taking “interesting” photos (ie editorial, attention-grabbing images that showed off what you’re wearing without just standing there!). But, I’ve learned a lot over the years when it comes to taking photos, just check out the evolution below!
The first year of MDM…
Experimenting…
Now, in 2021…
My Tips and Tricks for Fashion Photography…
Invest in a DSLR camera (aka a digital camera with a lens); we have the Canon Rebel T6 and it’s an inexpensive, easy-to-use starter camera! DSLR cameras take much better pics IMO, and you have much more control over settings and focus than you do on a smartphone!
Find a set of filters that you love & will complement the colors of all of your photos so they look consistent on your feed. (I’m planning on writing a whole post on filters; there’s lots more to delve into here!)
Stay consistent in lighting (ie shoot all your photos at similar times of the day when the light has the same kind of vibe). For example, if you love bright light, make sure all your photoshoots happen when the sun is at its brightest. If you love a more dreamy look, sticking with dawn or dusk can give you the vibe you’re looking for. Moral of the story here: consistency is key for a uniform-looking feed!
Choose the right background for your outfit. Generally speaking, you want the background to complement your look, not distract from it! Choose what you want to focus on: if the location is the thing to highlight, a simpler look may be best. If you want all eyes to be on your style, consider a background with complementing colors/vibes and a lens that blurs everything but you (we love our 50mm lens for this!).
Close-ups are your friend! Sometimes, you don’t have to show your whole look to communicate your vibe. A good detail shot is the perfect addition to any fashionista’s feed, so don’t be afraid to experiment!
Create your own personal brand through your photography style. Personal branding for any blogger is key, and a little trial-and-error to find your style is time well spent. Do you like vintage vibes? Saturated colors? Muted tones and neutrals? Your photos become your calling card and can help you stand out in a sea of other bloggers!
Post a variety and see what sticks! I’ve found that 99% of blogging is strategic experimentation. Sometimes you gotta put it all out there and adapt to what people like! For some, vibe-y detail shots might be great, but for others, photos of you might garner a greater response. For me, I’ve found that most of my audience prefers something personable (ie photos of people) rather than product photos or flat lays, but yours might be different! Polling people on stories is a great way to get an idea of what people want!
Every blogger has their own journey, especially if you don’t have a professional photography team behind you from the beginning (I know I didn’t!). There’s a lot of pressure out there to be perfect, so make sure you’re focusing on being your own personal best instead of comparing your growth to others! Photography can and should be fun, and there’s so much to learn even for the most seasoned professionals, so take your time and find out what works for you!
Hoping these tips help, feel free to drop any questions you have in the comments and I’d be happy to answer them! 🙂
Xx Tabi
