Blogger Photo Secrets

Today, I’m doing something a little different – sharing my favorite blogger photo secrets. Now, before you jump in, it’s important to know that I am not necessarily a photographer by trade, it’s simply something I enjoy doing. Plus, I blog, so photos make blog posts 100x more entertaining to read.

Right? Well, that’s the hope, at least.

Now, I’m also not speaking for everyone, rather I’m sharing my blogger photo secrets, which I hope will be helpful or at least entertaining. Do you have your own? I’d love to hear some of yours!

5 Blogger Photo Secrets

1. Everything outside the frame is usually a mess. Sure, it might look like the scenes on my Instagram or the snaps of my cocktails are perfectly aligned, clean, and quite frankly, photo worthy. But, the reality is that everything outside of that is typically a hot mess. This is probably my favorite (and the most popular) of the blogger photo secrets, which I suppose makes it not a secret…oh well. I often get questions about my ‘grams along the lines of “How is everything so perfectly placed?” or “How do you always get such bright natural light?” Well, the answer to those is the same – I make it that way. If I have to move things around in a store to get the shot I’m looking for (only if I won’t get in trouble), I do it. Quickly. And for getting natural light, it’s typically an app that’s helping me achieve those bright whites, it’s not all natural.
2. Anyone can be a model. My friends and family have often found themselves starring in posts here; mostly in the form of hand models. For example, when I’m crafting my weekly cocktail, my guy (T.) and a handful of my friends have jumped in to not only make the drinks (as I instruct them on what to pour next and how many times the drinks should be shaken), but also pose in strange ways so that I can get the perfect shot with the right light, shadows, etc. (ps. the photos here are from this week’s upcoming cocktail post! Any ideas what it might be?)
3. You have to get weird sometimes. If I’m shooting a post or working on a freelance project, I will usually end up standing on chairs, walking around in circles to find the best light, or doing even stranger things. To get the shot you want, you might have to get crafty!
4. Anything can be a prop. I’ve taken to picking up patterned towels wherever I can to use as a backdrop, accent, or actually as a towel to soak up my many spilled cocktails. Check out your local Target – their $1 section is a godsend. You can find so many fun, brightly colored items to use as props for your posts, ‘grams, and more.
5. Editing is your best friend. The last of the blogger photo secrets, and another one of my favorites: Editing. Editing makes all the difference. See below for proof.

Do you believe me now? I edit every single one of my photographs, even my live ‘grams when I’m traveling, on a road trip, or anywhere else. Once you’ve found your groove and the editing process you prefer, you’ll start to see it becomes second nature.

And if you’re really gung-ho on seeing my unedited life – I just created a Snapchat for By Gabriella! It’s….bygabriellaco – easy to remember 🙂

Now that you know a few of my favorite blogger photo secrets, what are some of yours?

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