This post marks a really special occasion in that it’s the 5th birthday of Stylerarebit.com. I still can’t believe that I’ve been doing this for so long but it’s nice to think that I’m still as passionate about blogging as I was when I started. If there’s one thing that’s always been a struggle though, it’s getting outfit pictures.
I’m very lucky in that my mum is a photographer, so when she’s free she helps me out. This would be even more ideal if we didn’t have 9-5 jobs and insanely busy lives! I feel bad nagging her all the time to help me with content and I get that it must be pretty boring after 5 years of outfits. It was even harder to keep up when I lost my Instagram account in June and had to start all over again. That whole saga was such a nightmare but I wanted to be positive and use it as an opportunity to change my aesthetic. It’s been good so far and I way prefer my feed now but that obviously meant taking a lot more pictures.
That’s why last week I decided to bite the bullet, go out and take my own outfit pictures. Was shooting on my own embarrassing? Absolutely. I’m not going to lie and say that it wasn’t but did I get loads of content without having to bug anyone? Yes, yes and yes! Honestly, if you’re a blogger then this is absolutely the way forward and it’s so much easier than finding someone to take your pictures. That being said, I do have some quick tips below incase you’re nervous about it.
Practise At Home First
Shooting your own pictures is pretty nerve-wracking so you’ll want to make sure you know what you’re doing before you get there. I use the timer on my camera and work it remotely from my phone which makes things a little bit easier. You don’t have to buy a fancy camera when you’re first starting out either. Your iPhone and a cheap tripod will be absolutely fine and with some clever editing, they can look just as amazing as camera pics. No matter what you’re using, having a practise at home first will help to improve your photographs while speeding up the process. Don’t be surprised if it takes you a while to get it right though. I messed up the ISO on these pictures but it’s all a lesson and the more I do it, the more I’ll learn.
Make Your Phone An Accessory
If, like me, you’re using your phone to check the focus and to trigger the camera then obviously it’s going to be in your hand for most of the pics. The same goes for a trigger button. If you’re wearing something with pockets or have a bag you can slip it in then it’s easy to hide but if not, then you’re going to have to make it look intentional. It might be worth practising some poses with your hand behind you or to the side that don’t look awkward but that will hide your phone.
Watch The Focus
The hardest thing for me is making sure I’m in focus. It helps that I can use my phone to set it but I still need to keep checking as sometimes the timer can push it off. Every so often make sure to check your images by zooming right into your face so that you know they’re sharp. If you’re shooting with your iPhone this will be so much easier as the auto focus is amazing but if you’ve got a camera that you can’t work remotely then you’re going to have to keep checking.
Don’t Be A Target
Obviously if you’re standing in public with your camera on a tripod then you’re going to be a target. That being said you can minimise the risk by standing somewhere where your camera is hidden and by not taking a glam bag for your other outfits. My set up doesn’t look like much and is pretty amateur but I think that’s a good thing because if I was there with a flashy camera it’d be way more tempting.
Make Easy Outfit Changes
Getting changed when you’re shooting content is the most time consuming thing and even more so when you’re on your own and you don’t have someone to hold a coat up for you. My best advice is to layer up and take loads of accessories, jackets and pieces that you can mix and match to make it look like a totally different outfit. This is why it’s good to plan your looks in advance and it’ll save you so much time on the day. This playsuit made it really easy because it goes with so much and has a completely different vibe without the blazer over the top.
Be Considerate
Ok, so this is something that’s really important to me. There are so many influencers who are insanely inconsiderate with where they take pics. I get it, I’ve stood in questionable places and no doubt annoyed some people but don’t go out of your way to do this. Just make sure you pick a location that isn’t in the way and avoid anywhere where you know you can’t take photos. I think as much as Instagram is a huge thing now it’s still important to be polite and considerate about where you’re shooting your content. I normally shoot on a Sunday because most places are closed and I try and avoid anywhere where people are walking etc. just so that I’m not in the way. I know it sounds super patronising but that’s the kind of stuff that gives ‘influencers’ a bad name.
Don’t Worry About What Other People Think
Does this even need an explanation? Sure, this is embarrassing, now get over it. If you’re making money from taking pictures of yourself in the street then don’t waste your time being embarrassed about it…
This post is in collaboration with Femme Luxe, a relatively new brand that’s a must for influencers thanks to their trend focused, affordable styles. They have a great mini dress selection, loungewear sets, satin dresses, PU leggings and Kardashian inspired lace bodysuits that are perfect fashion pick-me-ups.
Leave a Reply