Blog Photography Tips and Tricks! {How to Take Better Pictures}

Take your blog to the next level with these Blog Photography Tips and Tricks!

Now that you’ve Started a Blog, it’s time to take your photos to the next level!

We’ve all heard that a picture is worth a thousand words… and that goes for photos on your blog, too! To set your self apart from others, you’ll want to make sure you’re showing off your best, top-notch photos on your blog!

Good equipment and props are an investment… and totally worth it. They’ll launch you to where you want to be. It’s important your photos stand out from the crowd and stay cutting-edge to get noticed!

Are you ready for some insider Blog Photography Tips and Tricks? Let’s get started!

Blog Photography Tips and Tricks

My Favorite Camera:

Canon Rebel T5 Digital SLR

So this is the camera I use for my blog photography, and I absolutely love, love, love it! It’s easy to use and takes fabulous photos. It’s the perfect transition camera when moving from a point and shoot to a DSLR, and I honestly can’t recommend it enough!

My Favorite Lenses:

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens

To go along with your Canon Rebel, you’ll want a 50mm f/1.8 lens as well. These lenses don’t come with the kits, so it will be an add on. It’s the most affordable option for adding a ton of functionality to your camera. You’ll use this a lot when creating those gorgeous crisp images with blurred backgrounds. It’s so small and lightweight to tote around, too!

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro Lens

After I had been blogging for several years and was starting to create more and more recipes, I realized I needed a lens that could capture every itty bitty detail in a picture. I’m talking… little grains of salt, and sugar, and that kind of detail. I did so much research, and found this… my absolute go-to lens that I’ve used every day for over a year now. It does an incredible job of picking up even the tiniest specs and details, and you’ll end up with gorgeous, crisp, clear images! It’s absolutely worth the investment… I love it!

My Favorite Camera Tripod:

Amazon Basics 60 Inch Lightweight Tripod

Why a tripod? For clearer pictures. A tripod and remote will take your pictures to the next level right away! I know, I know… it may seem like it’s not a necessity, but one of my biggest regrets is not using a tripod and remote sooner. The first day I did, I was AMAZED at how crystal clear my photos were. Bye bye camera blur!

The Amazon Basics Tripod is both cost effective and versatile. This is the exact tripod I have and use and I LOVE it! It’s easy to work with, and keeps your camera stable.

This tripod gives you the functionality of much more expensive tripods, but at a much lower cost. The storage bag is an added bonus and make the tripod both easy to use and transport.

My Favorite Camera Remote Control:

Amazon Basics Wireless Remote Control

In addition to the tripod, after selecting a quality camera and lens combination + getting a tripod, the next most important step to ensuring picture clarity is using a wireless remote control for your camera.

This is the exact remote I have and use… it’s inexpensive and a total game changer for clear photos. LOVE it!

Using the Wireless Remote Control is simple. After mounting your Canon to the Amazon Basics Tripod, select the “Self-timer: 10sec/Remote control” setting on your Canon. This will enable use of the highly affordable Amazon Basics Wireless Remote Control.

Just imagine your camera mounted on a tripod and this remote control in your hands. You have just successfully reduced camera movement, allowing for optimal picture clarity. Score!

My Favorite Memory Cards:

SanDisk Extreme 16GB Memory Card

These are my absolute favorite Memory Cards I use for blog photography, and I always keep a few extras on hand. They’re designed for speed and are even great for 4k Ultra HD video if you’ll be doing video clips as well!

My Favorite Accessories:

Portable Photography Reflector

Portable Photography Reflectors are a must-have, and they’re super cheap! This is the one I have and use for filtering bright light, reflecting light, and reducing glare.

Indoor Photography Natural Light Kit

Natural light is always my first choice, but on rainy days or evenings, I’ve used this Natural Light Kit to duplicate natural light in a dark indoor setting, and it’s been a lifesaver!

DIY Camera Bag

Tote around your camera and lenses in style! Check out this tutorial for How to Make a DIY Camera Bag from a Purse!

More Blog Photography Tips and Tricks:

Practice, Practice, Practice!

The first step to taking better pictures is simply to practice! Like… every day! If you’re intimidated or overwhelmed by your camera, just make a point to start playing around with the different settings and experimenting each and every day. Try new angles, try new locations, just try something! You’ll improve and become more and more confident each day!

Lighting is Key!

There’s no substitute for good lighting, and it can make or break a photo. If you’re taking pictures of food, wait to take them until the natural lighting is optimal during the day. They’ll turn out so much prettier than when taking inside at night. If possible, move your plated food, craft, or whatever it is you’re photographing on outside. If the weather doesn’t permit, take your photos as close to a window or sliding glass door as possible to soak up as much gorgeous natural light as you can! Example: the following picture was taken indoors next to the window…

Props are Pretty!

When setting up the star of your photo shoot, don’t forget to include some pretty props underneath, on the side, and in the background. They’ll add color, depth, texture, and make for some pretty pictures!

1-2-3-Hold-Your-Breath!

Another simple tip that I put into practice each days is holding my breath. Right before I’m ready to snap the shot, I just hold my breath to stabilize myself and keep the shot as crisp as can be. It’s such a simple way to cut down on blur.

Another option is to take in a deep breath, then exhale halfway and hold your breath before taking the shot.

Comments

Alex Pol says
August 17, 2018 at 9:34 am

I’d also like to learn about it. Messing with my camera I accidentally got a shot just like this that turned out great. But I have no idea how I did it and for the life of me can’t recreate it! Great post! very helpful tips!

Ronny Carson says
August 15, 2018 at 1:21 am

I really liked your Photography Tips they are truly amazing

Lisa Maria says
July 25, 2018 at 1:05 pm

Nice photography tips and tricks and very effective idea share this post. This post is very helpful for photographers. I also share this post with my photographer friends.

Emma says
April 11, 2018 at 3:43 am

Really great article. Thanks for taking the time to explain things in such great detail in a way that is easy to understand.

James Muddy says
March 13, 2018 at 3:17 am

Really great article. Thanks for taking the time to explain things in such great detail in a way that is easy to understand.

Tim says
September 8, 2017 at 7:02 am

Thank you for sharing these tips and tricks. I love the tip about using props. They can make a huge difference in drawing attention to the focal object when used correctly.

- Heidi says
  September 8, 2017 at 6:00 pm
  
  You’re very welcome, Tim… I agree ~ the props really do help so much!
  
Heather says
August 2, 2017 at 12:43 pm

Great tips! I especially love your pointer about holding your breath to stabilize the camera – I’ve never thought about that! Definitely have to try that for my next shoot. Thanks for sharing!

- Heidi says
  August 5, 2017 at 6:13 pm
  
  Hi Heather ~ yes… holding your breath for a few seconds is such a simple way to stabilize the camera when you’ve got it off the tripod. One of the first tricks I learned in a photography class, and I still use that trick ALL the time! Hope it helps on your next shoot! 😉
  
Amy says
March 5, 2017 at 12:00 pm

Just curious how long it took you to get one. I can’t afford to get one now but would like to in the future. Hoping my blog won’t suffer until I get it.

- Heidi says
  March 6, 2017 at 9:25 pm
  
  Hi Amy ~ I honestly believe that one of the very most important parts of having a successful blog is high quality, clear images. I’d suggest taking the time to save for a good DSLR camera… I’ve found the Canon Rebel T5 to be a great, cost-effective option for a starter camera. Hope that helps! 🙂
  
  - Amy says
    March 7, 2017 at 4:45 pm
    
    Heidi,
    That does help, thank you! Just one more question…I was thinking about using the discount you posted for bluehost but as I said I can’t buy an expensive camera just yet. Did you have the camera right when you started blogging? Thanks again! 🙂
    
    - Heidi says
      March 7, 2017 at 4:57 pm
      
      Hi Amy ~ I’d suggest just using whatever equipment you have now to get started. You can always upgrade over time. I am constantly upgrading what I use, and have used a variety of different cameras, lenses and equipment over the years. 😉 When starting out, just make sure you’re taking your photos during optimal lighting times of the day {preferably outside with filtered natural light if possible}. Does that help?
      
Mike Taylor says
January 28, 2017 at 9:38 am

Plenty of valuable information for the aspiring blogger needing to learn how to create good images. I would also ad that a small, lightweight tripod and an off-camera flash would open up a world of options when it comes to being able to get the shot.

Jess Munday says
September 29, 2016 at 7:08 am

So informative, I’m saving up to buy a decent camera and I can start using your tips 🙂