Upping Your Fashion Photography Game

Taking outfit photos for your blog can be so difficult and it's easy to think about throwing the towel in when you're feeling so frustrated - trust me, I've been there. However, I've gone from standing in my not so photogenic back garden with my old camera balanced on an ironing board with it on self-timer, to standing in the middle of streets, taking professional looking outfit shots that both Karl and I are super proud of. I thought I'd just share some of my top tips for getting yourself photo happy - I know many people on Twitter have mentioned they just don't know how to take outfit photos! 

*VERO MODA LONG SLEEVE TOP: c/o BRAND ATTIC / *STRAW HAT: c/o BECKSONDERGAARD / BLACK SKINNY JEANS: ASOS / *MICHAEL KORS MIRABEL SANDALS: c/o ALL SOLE / BLACK BAG: ZARA / *ROSE GOLD NECKLACE: c/o LILY AND ROSE 

WEAR SOMETHING YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE IN

What I've found over the past two years is that I automatically like my photos more if I'm wearing something I really love. If I'm wearing an outfit that I'm not really feeling or if I feel like it doesn't really suit me, I just know from the get go that I'm not going to be a fan of the photos, no matter how good they are.  This style of outfit is one that I feel most comfortable in. The top is by Vero Moda from website Brand Attic, a website which stocks a huge variety of amazing clothes from a huge variety of brands and there's bound to be things you fall in love with no matter your style. This off the shoulder top is right up my street. It's chic, simple, casual but looks so fabulous with my classic black skinnies and simple lace-up sandals. I just think if you feel good about your outfit, you feel much better about yourself in general!

A GOOD CAMERA IS NOT ESSENTIAL, BUT IT HELPS!

I see some people taking amazing blogging photos simply on their iPhones but there's no denying that having a good camera helps immensely. You just can't get the depth of field, the lighting, the sharpness or the general quality from a phone the way you can from a camera. I like my shots to be really bright and professional looking with a really blurred out background and my Canon 700d is perfect for it. It's also not just the camera that you want to think about but the lens as buying the 50mm lens for mine is the best thing I ever did for my outfit photos!

EXPERIMENT WITH POSES, LOCATIONS AND EVERYTHING ELSE

It's taken me years to perfect my outfit shots and get them exactly how I want them. I now know my good angles, the way I like to stand, how to show off the pieces I'm wearing and not only that but Karl also knows. We work well together and he now knows where to stand, how to position the camera and how to move around and capture the images. There have been times over the years that I have absolutely hated my blog photos and have felt really disheartened about them but in the end I realised it's all about experimentation. You just have to work out what the right settings, locations and style of photos are for you.

DON'T PULL YOURSELF TO PIECES

I've been guilty of this so many times and it's nothing but detrimental. I've sat for hours editing my photos, only to zoom in on my face and think "ewwww" and delete them all. Trust me, no one who walks this earth looks good when you make their face fill your whole laptop screen (nope, no one) and when you're getting 100+ photos taken of you, there are going to be some photos that you just don't like. Don't ruin the photos for yourself by focusing on the parts of you that you feel self-conscious about. Instead, think about what you could change about the photos to make you feel better next time.

FIND SOMEONE YOU WORK WELL WITH TO TAKE YOUR PHOTOS

There's no doubt that photos that have been take by someone else turn out better than when you're fumbling around trying to take them yourself with a tripod and remote. Karl started taking my photos about two years ago after watching me struggle and although he'd never picked up a DSLR in his life, he managed to learn all about photography and is now simply excellent. He's kind of the unsung hero of Salt and Chic and doesn't really get enough credit for how much work he puts into my outfit shots! I know not everyone has a partner willing to take their photos and not everyone can afford to pay a professional every time (I definitely couldn't!) but you can always ask a friend, a relative, a parent or anyone who you feel comfortable with because that's the key - if you feel comfortable and confident in front of the photographer it can make all the difference.

What are your top tips for taking good outfit photos?

Amy x