Since the beginning of Lu Curates I've wanted fashion and lifestyle to be a focus. Posing for outfit posts seemed simple enough, but quickly unearthed a slew of body insecurities and fears. It turns out modeling and styling photos takes a lot of skill?!?! Go figure.
As I learn, I hope you all can learn too. Here are a few tips and some awesome blogger links/references I've discovered along this journey.
1. Be Fearless
...even if you are faking it. There is no reason any of us should be ashamed to share our stories. Whether it's through self-portraits or writing. They are our stories to tell and we are who we are. In this industry 'faking it' is akin to practice. Every amazing actor, writer and model "got there" by putting in their 10,000 hours. You can't clock the time unless you try.
2. Everything is in the details
See that photo above? Here is what is wrong with it: the lighting is off on the bottom. It is too dark and was much darker until I increased the exposure and contrast in iPhoto. The shadow completely masks the bag.
Details also include telling a story with your photos by highlighting your accessories or adding props to let readers experience your outfit as if it is their own. I'm terrible at this. It is really hard to get those close-up shots when you are the only person behind the camera. However, practice makes perfect and when Lu Curates is ready, we will one day have an in-house photographer.
3. Be mindful of composition
This is something that was grilled into my head as an art history major. How does the canvas or photo read? Most people read left to right, where does your eye take you first? Design and style accordingly. For fashion photography, form and silhouette matter the most. Be mindful of the negative space and how it interacts with the figure.
4. The light of the sunset and sunrise really helps.
Have you heard of this thing called backlighting? It's amazing. The shadows found at dusk are flattering and add softness to the shot. Just make sure your purse doesn't get caught up in them.
5. Some angles are better then others.
Taking a photo from the bottom up isn't going to look very flattering. However, photos taken from above are slimming. Keep your chin up and chest forward. It will feel unnatural but will elongate your face and avoid unintentional double chin. Flirting with the camera and looking off to the side captures that mysterious look. Here's a great article on becoming more photogenic.
6. There's brilliance in editing tools.
I'll be honest, I'm the worst at editing. I have every 20 year old I know giving me tutorials. For Instagram, I've really been into Picsart (it's free) and Camera +. For actual photo editing? I'm stuck with iPhoto for now, but I hope to graduate to photoshop at some point.
Clearly, I still have a ways to go but I'm confident that by this time next year Lu Curates will be producing well styled, wonderfully photographed and engaging images.
I plan on giving you behind the scenes posts every step of the way.
Like what I'm wearing? Shop the Look.