Starting a business is a massive (often expensive) task, and unless you've got some cash to play around with, chances are you're DIY'ing as much as you can - including your socials.
I won't claim to be the queen of social media by any means, but after working as an in-house marketing consultant for almost 10 years, I've seen how much more people connect with a brand when they know the content is authentic. Your audience wants to connect with YOU and not some random you downloaded from Shutterstock.
So what do you do if you're absolutely trash at taking photos of your products / service offering / day to day but don't have the budget to hire a professional? Here's some tips to help you find your feet and become a whizz on a budget!
Setting up your shot
Clean your camera lens
There's nothing worse than taking the perfect photo, only to find your camera lens was dirty the whole time! Before starting, always give your camera lens a quick clean to make sure you get the best shot.
Find the perfect lighting
If you have the time, scout out what time of day provides the best lighting for your home or office, and find a location that works well for your shoot. For me, the morning and afternoon sun coming through my front door works perfectly, so most of the time I set up in my hallway!
Get creative
This is your time to shine! Have a bit of fun with your photoshoot and let your brand's personality sparkle.
If you're photographing an item, get creative with the product placement and props. You don't have to break the budget either, there's always hidden gems around the house that will work.
Just remember, it might take a few goes to get the hang of it, so don't beat yourself up if it looks a little blah the first time around - you just need a few good shots!
Buying the basics
Lightroom presets
Honestly the Lightroom app is my go-to for editing photos on my phone, and has saved the day on more than one occasion. In a nutshell, you can purchase pre-made filters to load into Lightroom as a preset. Then when you go to edit an image you simply click on the preset and voilà, the image is edited to perfection (well, sometimes it may need a tweak or two).
Don't get me wrong, professional photography has it's place and should definitely be utilised when you have the budget, but for images that capture the day to day of your biz, it's worth giving it a go yourself!
Camera equipment
Setting yourself up with some basic equipment doesn't have to break the bank. Most of the time I only use a smartphone tripod that I bought from Kmart for $8! I also have a ring light, but most of the time I don't need to use it.
If you have a steady hand and some basic skills, you may not need to go all out! Have a go first and see what equipment you need before buying big.
DIY backdrops
If you're taking product photography, a backdrop is a must have! Vinyl backdrops are very popular at the moment, and are pretty cost effective, not to mention durable and easy to clean.
If you're trying to save some cash, plain or coloured cardboard will also do the trick! Depending on the look you're going for, a plain sheet will also work well.
Check out some of my own examples below - all taken at home on an iPhone 11 using cardboard backdrops, and edited using Lightroom presets.
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