I am SO excited to be collaborating with my photographer and friend, Lauren, from Lauren Lucile Creative for today’s blog post. We are each sharing our tips and tricks for getting the most out of photoshoots. Lauren is a self taught photographer who has an eye for detail and is not afraid to get creative when it comes to getting ‘THE SHOT’! And as a blogger, I’ve learned from trial and error when it comes to capturing the perfect photo(s) for a blog post or social media.
I first met Lauren back in January of this year, after she reached out to me via Instagram. A few days later, we met for coffee in SoHo to chat in person and do a test shoot. We ended up sitting inside Pietra Noilta for about an hour and then Lauren snapped a few photos of me outside the very instagramable pink cafe. We immediately hit it off and I remember leaving their that day, feeling excited about the pictures we had just taken. Lauren sent me the photos later that same day and I was instantly impressed by her talent in capturing my personality as well as her editing skills. Not to mention, her quick turnaround time. We ended up chatting over the next week and decided to schedule an hour photoshoot for February. From that day on, we became fast friends and have gone on to do several more photoshoots.
Admittedly, I was a little reluctant at first to hire a professional photographer. A few reasons being: 1) The cost. 2) Fear of being judged for not being a seasoned blogger who was comfortable in front of the camera. 3) I wasn’t initially convinced that I needed professional level photos as an up and coming blogger. But after working with a professional (aka Lauren) a couple of times, I quickly realized the impact that professional photos had. The images were definitely better quality compared to using my iPhone camera. The sizing of the images were perfect for my social media channels as well as for blog posts. And since Lauren edits all the images, it has helped me to create an aesthetic with all of my images that I use for social media (especially Instagram). Which in the end, saves me so much time and money from using editing apps and doing it myself. I have also noticed a higher engagement rate on social media when posting the professional photos. And as a content creator, brands often prefer to have campaigns shot with a professional camera. So overall, it’s been one of the best investments hiring Lauren to take my photos.
My confidence is also been something that has improved significantly with each photoshoot. Before, I would see photos of myself and pick apart every aspect of what I didn’t like. Especially being a curvy woman, I tend to be really hard on myself if I see an angle or pose that isn’t flattering. But overtime, I have learned what my best angles are, how to pose with my body type and how to just have fun in the moment during shoots. Looking back over the year, I can definitely see the growth in my photos with how much more comfortable I am. So much so, that I recently framed two 8x10 prints from Lauren and I’s most recent photoshoot and hung them in my bedroom. A year ago, I wouldn't have had the confidence to display full body photos of myself anywhere in my apartment.
And after working together for the better part of 2019, Lauren and I decided that we should put our knowledge together and create a reference guide for both Bloggers and Photographers to utilize. Below I’ll be sharing my tips for bloggers to get the most out of your photoshoot. Then make sure to head over to Lauren’s site to read her tips and download her style guide (included in her blog post) for your next photoshoot!
Tips for Bloggers:
Try on outfits ahead of time. Once you’ve chosen your outfits that you want to wear for the shoot, go ahead and try them on. Especially if you’ve chosen to buy new clothes that you’ve never worn before. Also make sure to Include accessories, shoes and makeup to coordinate. Then take a photo of yourself to make sure that you like how the outfit looks and fits on you. This will help give you a visual of what everything looks beforehand and give you time to make any edits before the day of the photoshoot.
Practice posing. I can’t recommend this enough especially if you’re new to working with a photographer. It’s much harder than it looks when you have to start standing in front of the camera. You’re worried about which angle is being shot, how your hair looks, if your lipstick is smudged, all while trying to walk with props in hand and trying to not look awkward doing so. It may seem so much easier seeing other bloggers in their photos pose “perfectly”. But chances are, they have mastered their pose(s) over time. My advice is to get in front of a mirror and practice walking, find your best angles and pose in different positions until you feel comfortable. You can also set up your phone to record a video while you practice posing and play it back to see how it looks. Trust me, if you get in front of a camera and feel awkward, it will show in your photos.
Select location & map it out. I always like to visit the location of the photoshoot prior to the actual shoot day (if time allows). This helps me to get a visual of different backgrounds I want to capture in my photos. If shooting multiple outfits, I’ll also make notes of which outfits I want to wear according to the different spots I find. This not only puts me at ease the day of the shoot by having a plan in place, but also saves so much time when shooting while allowing some room for creativity. I never have to stop and search for the next spot to take photos during the photoshoot. Once I have everything planned out, I’ll type it up in a phone note and send to Lauren ahead of time. This way we both go into the session knowing what to expect. And because I’m very TYPE A…I’ll also write out a more detailed list to have with me the day of the shoot. I prefer to write everything out on paper with location(s), outfit changes, campaign specifics that I need to capture in photos and any other helpful details to keep me on track during the photoshoot. It can often get hectic with trying to do everything once you’re on site. And having a list to reference helps ensure you get the most out of your time and your photographer’s time.
Save photos on Instagram or Pinterest for inspo. Whenever I’m scrolling through social media and see photos that inspire me for an upcoming photoshoot, I’ll save them to my phone. Then I’ll send them to Lauren ahead of time or show her on day of shoot. It’s helpful to give a visual of what I’m trying to capture. But also keeping in mind that you shouldn’t expect it to come out exactly the same, nor should you want to 100% replicate someone else's work. So many things go into creating a photo and so many factors affect the outcome of a picture (weather, crowds, construction, store closing, other nyc things). But sometimes it’s nice to use other images as inspo and then put your own spin on it. You always want to be unique and showcase your personality in your photos.
Communicate with your photographer. It’s important to be open and upfront about any concerns or questions you have. Discuss what your best angles are, things you may want to hide or conceal in photos, what you’re trying to convey with your photos, what content your photos will be used for, etc. This will help your photographer have a better idea of what your expectations are and how they can capture the best shots of you.
Lastly, have FUN!! On the day of the shoot, go into it prepared and open minded. And don’t be afraid to be playful! Sometimes the most unexpected shots become the best ones overall.
PRO TIP:
Invest in a Pop-Up Pod (portable changing tent). Some photographers may provide this for you. However, I highly suggest getting one to have for yourself. It’s a lifesaver when it comes to changing outfits in public. Especially since there isn’t always a public restroom available when on location at your photoshoot. Another time saving tip!
