When it comes to running a fashion blog, you have so many issues that you need to get used to dealing with. A blog today, especially in the world of fashion, has to be used in a manner that will make a big difference in the way that you work and how you think and feel. That being said, it’s not just about the words. While your written content will make a big difference, you also need to get used to making the most of photography to help sell your blog.
If you are interested in doing so, then this blog will contain some very useful photography tips for you to make the most of. They can be essential to making smart decisions on how your fashion blog reads and looks. For example, have you ever utilized a flat lay photography style?
This is very useful for making sure that you are left with items that are easily snapped, looks great and become increasingly easy for you to edit and optimize before they are being posted. In here, we’ll break down some very useful, quick flat lay photography tips.
While a fashion blog can take a lot of work and can be a huge issue for you if you are not used to snapping your own shots, getting used to it can be very useful indeed. In a bid to help you get used to doing so, we’ve broken down a fine range of tips that you should definitely look to use.
So, here are some of the best flat lay photography tips for fashion blog owners who are serious about making a presentation the best it can be.
Using neutral backgrounds
The first and most important tip that we have for you stems from using a neutral background. Neutrality is key when it comes to good photography, and every fashion blog worth reading is furnished with high-quality imagery that complements the rest of the site.
So, for this reason, we recommend that you retain neutrality as it can allow for a better focus on the products that you are shooting at present. An image that is placed on a background that complements or contrasts can take away from the image itself, so avoid doing so.
At the same time, you should absolutely look to use a white background as, unless the clothing item is white, will look great with relation to the item. White also is easy to work into most online themes and website designs, which can be a useful but unintended consequence.
A wide variety of items will look great amongst the white background, too, which can add to the visual appeal of the shot. Tables, beds (with white sheets), cardboard and shaggy rugs, for example, all look good in the background. Either way, always maintain neutrality relative to the item itself.
Natural lighting always wins
When your intent is to make a big impression on the readership of your fashion blog, then photography tips like this one should become almost universal. Natural lighting is, as the name suggests, the most natural way to make a shot stand out as being genuine.
Genuine photo shoots are increasingly rare as people can become quite liberal with their touch-ups and optimizations. Instead of doing this, use natural lighting to help create a much more welcoming image. Try and make yourself move forward with using indirect, natural lighting – a dim light or a flash usually makes a cheap, choppy looking image so keep moving until you can find the most natural shooting space you can.
Indirect, soft lighting will also help to create a more natural shadow on the image. Harsh shadows tend to look rather poor and mediocre, so avoid that as best you can. We recommend that you make this investment as harsh shadows on the picture can look rather off-putting, but it can be sorted easily enough with the right movement.
Complete the look
When people are making shots for their fashion blog, a rather inexplicable decision is made; they shoot without putting everything together. It’s like releasing shots of a painting without the focal point first as a teaser: it makes no sense and deeply dilutes the visual quality on show. Instead of making this mistake, complete the look and detail the whole outfit. Place everything in the picture – from the jewelry to the jacket.
If you are intending to post the image on your Instagram, then tag every brand that is shown within the look. If you go that extra way to help your branding appeal and your overall visibility improve, then make sure you tag them in accordingly.
Want every social media visibility? Send out your post with the #OOTD hashtag captioned in there. OOTD means Outfit of The Day, and is one of the most popular hashtags to use for a fashion blog that is serious about it success and visibility.
Creating a balance
Balance is needed in all walks of life, and one of the best flat lay photography tips that we can give you is to find the beauty of balance. Used right, balance can make a rather monumental difference to your output.
If you have a bunch of smaller items in the photo, then add something larger to tie it all together. A shot of all small images, or all-large images, should have a bit of balance. This can help to provide a useful context where it would have felt context-free without. If something appears large, show how large it is in context with something that combines well with it to show how it all looks.
If you want to create a more delicate focus, though, then think about only using one larger object. Always make sure that the focal point of the image is dead-on within the center, though. Perhaps add some smaller props related to it around the image to help create a more unique feel.
From props to balancing it out with some smaller items, each of these will help in creating a balance that can make a tangible difference.
Making space
Remove some things from your arrangement if you feel it looks too cluttered. With the help of this, then, you can make a smart decision on making space and taking things that extra step further.
A bit of space can be essential to making the focal point stand out; having too much going on can remove any point of reference for the shot. If you are creating a blog post, then you should definitely look to post a cover image and add in some text there. If you are creating an ad, though, then you want to use the free space to help show off your brand name and the logo of your business.
Generally, space is so incredibly important to make an image feel easy to look at. If you feel that there is a bit too much on show, then there is a fair chance that you are right, and that change is needed.
Pack and snap!
One of the most useful flat lay photography tips when talking is what we know as ‘pack and snap’ content. Simply shoot your bag, but also what is packed inside. People don’t just want to see what a bag looks like, for example; they want to see what it looks like when it is nice and busy, loaded with impressive content.
A pack and snapshot can be a great way to create a real-life and more authentically driven image that looks great. If you want that particular image to be a success then we recommend that you look to arrange things like you’ve packed it and that everything is falling out of the bag, making it more visible.
This is great for a bit of advertising, too; tag in the companies who have items falling out of the bag to further improve your branding and visibility. This looks great and creates a more authentic and meaningful image that can really create a more worthwhile shot. While it takes a lot of work, it’s definitely something that you should look to try out at least once.
Humanity sells
The last of our flat lay photography tips that we recommend in terms of making your shots better is to use people. People sell – it’s that simple. If you are selling a ring, then shoot it on the hand of someone. If you are selling a pair of shoes, get them on a pair of feet and show them actually being worn; it’s much easier to imagine ourselves wearing something when we have visual proof of how it looks when on an actual person.
Organize objects in a way that allows the person to be the supporting point, though; the fashion accessory should still be the focal point.
Always use it to help set up the right kind of progress and look. If you are serious about making your blog stand out from the rest, then using a person in your shots can work really well. When combined with the other ideas above, too, it can make it very easy for you to sell a more live action look that is essential for a fashion blog.
You are supposed to be helping people envision themselves, so make that easier for them by starting with this simple, effective plan.
Improving the visual appeal
Now, with all of the above, you have all the flat lay photography tips that you need to snap high-quality shots that look great and are very convincing. Without your blog looking the part, though, how can you really improve your visual appeal in other ways?
Your first and main concentration absolutely has to be the development of some high-quality visual improvements. To do so, we recommend that you invest in a high-quality blog style. Alongside making sure that all of your imagery is organized in a harmonious way, with time dedicated to working out the best size, shape, color and texture, your blog looks matter.
If your images jar with the look of the blog – which flat lay images can, even using the above photography tips – then you need to consider a more laid back, minimalistic tone to your website. With that in mind, we recommend that you re-arrange your blog with something like Stile WordPress theme.
Smart, sleek, stylish and very easy to love; this is one that blends well with a flat lay style of photography. In fact, this can do a lot to add much-needed energy and gusto to your shots!
Conclusion
So, with the above, you will hopefully feel much more likely to get a credible and enjoyable response as time goes on. A fashion blog needs to look not only good but unique. In a bid to help you make that the case, these tips will make that job so much simpler.
If you are serious about snapping your own photos, then you have to be good. With a flat lay system, you can easily snap fashion items and clothing and make sure that they stand out as they should, maximizing the visual appeal of your blog for the long-term.
