Sharing a little about the importance of photography + blogger photography tips!
photos by andrea kinnear photography + design
see full looks + details here, here, and here
So obviously this post is geared toward other bloggers but hopefully a post you’ll enjoy even if you aren’t a blogger.
Several of the questions I receive often from followers + readers revolve around the topic of photography. What camera do you use? When do you take photos? Do you have a photographer? and the list goes on. I LOVE getting these questions from y’all and want to share a detailed post answering them. A post you can gain information from now and hopefully reflect back on later for additional information, when needed.
Photography Is Important
Having great quality photos is incredibly important! When I made the switch from having my Joshua and my mom take photos to a photographer, I noticed a real difference in my traffic and engagement. I started receiving more likes, comments, and direct messages from readers + followers. They were more invested because I was more invested!
Great photo quality draws people in. They can see the items you’re wearing better, they can see what you’re doing better, and they can see YOU better! Which is also the reason photo quality is important to brands. They are more likely to work with a blogger who has great photo quality and can properly showcase their items vs. a blogger who’s photos are slightly blurry and/or out of focus.
Photography is truly worth the investment. Whether you hire a photographer or invest in photography classes yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What camera do you use?
I personally use a Nikon D3200 with a 50mm lens. This is my go to. What I use for pretty much every shoot that I shoot myself of have Joshua take. During our recent trip to Savannah + St. Simons Island, we rented a 24-70mm lens to test out. I LOVED this lens. The lens wasn’t fixed so we had the ability to zoom in and out. Which meant Joshua didn’t have to stand across the street, which happens often with the 50mm lens.
When do you shoot?
Most often, I shoot in the morning around 9am. Occasionally I try to be a really great blogger and shoot around magic hour. Typically very early in the morning and around 7pm right now, in the evenings. You can learn more about how I find out what time magic hour is here. Magic hour creates the best light, which is super important when taking photos.
Do you use a photographer?
Yes, most of the time, I do use a photographer. Photographers are TALENTED and taking great quality photos can be really hard. Also, super time consuming if you aren’t as skilled as the professionals. So must of the time, I leave it up to them! I just love the quality of the photos and am always happier when my shoots are taken my a photographer.
So I meet with a photographer about twice a month to shoot my content for the month. Typically, we meet for about two hours and shoot 6-7 outfits. Occasionally squeezing in a couple lifestyle shoots here and there.
How do you go about finding photographers?
Originally, I checked out craigslist. Which provided to be quite challenging. I will be honest, I came across a couple of creeps and decided that wasn’t the route for me. Following that disaster, I asked fellow bloggers in my area if they had any recommendations. That worked out wonderfully! Definitely the route I recommend taking.
If I am traveling, I either reach out to bloggers in that area, use trusty ole google, or check out the photography hashtag for that area. Using one {or all three} of those ways has lead me to some really great photographers.
Most Recently…
I worked with Andrea Kinnear Photography + Design. I reached out to her for a shoot when planning our trip to Savannah + St. Simons Island. Unfortunately, she was scheduled to be out of town during that time. However, she would be in Charlotte shortly after connecting via email. So lucky me, I had the opportunity to shoot with her, here in Charlotte.
I would have never had this opportunity had I not reached out to her. So reach out y’all! We had a wonderful time shooting and became fast friends. I mean we were laughing, giggling, and sharing stories within 10 minutes of meeting. Now, I look forward to shooting with her when I head further south again and when she makes her back to Charlotte. If you’re in the Savannah + Charleston area, I highly recommend shooting with her! You’ll have a blast and some awesome photos.
Bottom Line
Photography is important! The quality of your photos is important. Finding a photographer that works with you and your brand is crazy important! Don’t be afraid to test a few out and see what happens. It’s all a learning process and it is truly a fun one! I am over the moon happy with photographers I have connected with {minus the craigslist ones, although I’m sure there are some good ones on there} and they have taught me so much!
Yes to all of this!! I am working to find a local photographer to work with and it’s SO hard to find someone who gets the whole ‘blogging’ photography concept. Your pictures always look amazing!!
Keep searching gal! You will find the right one! Thank you so much, I really appreciate it that lady.
xo Laura Leigh
I couldn’t agree more!! I like what you said about how your readers were more invested because you are, too! It’s so true. Your photos are always so gorgeous and well thought out! Working with a photographer was the best decision I made for my blog, too!
Maggie
http://www.polishedclosets.com
So glad you agree with that! Definitely feel it is true. Aw thank you Maggie, I really appreciate that. I honestly feel the same about your photos. They’re beautiful!
xo Laura Leigh
Such a wonderful post! Thank you so much for sharing!
Aw thank you gal! Of course, thank you for reading!
xo Laura Leigh
Ugh, I really need to make this a priority! I shoot all my own photos with a tripod and would love to find a local, reasonably priced {woof} photographer!
Oh my gosh gal! You do an amazing job!! That is awesome but I am sure working with someone would take a lot of pressure off of you!
xo Laura Leigh
These are such great tips and I totally agree that you need to invest in quality photography!
Pink Champagne Problems
Thanks Dana! I really appreciate that gal! Yes, they are a game changer.
xo Laura Leigh
Photography is SO important and it’s so funny to look back at the “trial and error” shots from back in the day. I love having Ryan take photos while we’re on the go but using a photog is great during my days off when I need to knock out a lot (and not bother him, lol). I finallyyyy got Lightroom so trying to step up my editing game!
xo, Kristina
Yes! I couldn’t agree more!! That is why I really hired a photographer in the first place, to give us our days off together and doing things we both love more haha. You have been killing the game lately, so keep it up!!
xo Laura Leigh
Thank you for the tips. I agree that photography is important. Your photos are amazing!
StyleSprinter Blog by Katya Bychkova
Of course gal! Thank you for reading. I truly appreciate it.
xo Laura Leigh
Love this post! My mom is a photographer so I am so lucky I have her to take my photos.
Thank you lady! Oh that is so nice! You are definitely very lucky.
xo Laura Leigh
These are great tips girl! Good to hear you liked using the 24-70mm lens! We are considering upgrading just for travel and too scared to make the splurge!
http://www.rdsobsessions.com
Thanks Rach! I am so glad you found them to be helpful. Oh gosh yes, I am obsessed with it. It’s very bulky and heavy for travel but honestly, as long as we weren’t walking too much, I didn’t mind carrying it.
xo Laura Leigh
What a wonderful post! Photography is a huge part of having great pictures for your blog. I am lucky I have a photographer I can count on for pictures, and a tripod is a great option too in a pinch!
Aw thank you Laura! You’re so sweet. I completely agree with you! I definitely need to give the tripod a go more often.
xo Laura Leigh
Love this post. And, yes, I agree that hiring a photographer is a good choice. My engagement has went up also!!
xoxo,
Angelle
http://www.dashingdarlin.com
Thank you so much gal! I really appreciate that. Glad you’ve experienced such a positive response from hiring a photographer!
xo Laura Leigh
Good photogaphy is so important when you have a blog and are working with a brand! I do photography part time and it’s a lot of work!
April | http://www.thebluehydrangeas.com
I completely agree with you! Yes, I can imagine it is!
xo Laura Leigh
Incredible tips! People are very visual so good photography is necessary for growing a blog. I have worked with a professional photographer a time or two and their work always blows me away! Thanks for these great tips:)
xoxo, Hannah
Thank you so much Hannah! I am really glad you found them to be beneficial. Aren’t photographers just amazing?! Love them!
xo Laura Leigh
These are such great tips! As someone who is about to invest into a camera for the blog and Instagram, I really enjoy these posts. Thanks so much!! xo
Talina @ Sassy & Dangerous
Aw yay! That is so great to hear. I am really glad you enjoyed it and hopefully found it to be beneficial.
xo Laura Leigh