Unwritten Rules of Being a Photographer

We parked the car and before I could say anything, he popped the trunk from the driver’s seat. I ran out to the back of the car to catch any items that could possibly be flying out the back, and I realized I have these unspoken, unwritten rules I live by to get through my day-to-day with as few catastrophes as possible.

1. Always open the back of the car from the back of the car.
   

   (Avoiding using the world “trunk” because it’s referring to the back of an SUV where things can fall out.) Recently I pulled up to a shoot at a hotel and wanted to move quickly for the valet, so I popped open the back of the car from the driver’s seat, and as I walked around to the back of the car, I saw the lens I had just rented fly out and crash on the ground. In case things shift while you’re drive, always open the back of the car while you’re there so you can catch anything that might want to jump out. This brings us to the second point.

2. Always use a UV filter. 

   A UV filter protects lenses from the sun’s harmful rays, but it also acts as another layer of protection from dust, scratches, and flying out the back of cars. I opened the lens case to find the UV filter completely shattered, but the lens was just fine. This is the second time that’s happened to me, and while the sinking feeling takes a while to wear off, it’s a great feeling knowing you just sidestepped shelling out a couple thousand dollars to replace a lens you had up and working just moments before. 

3. Never keep open beverages next to equipment.

   Laws of entropy say that loose-capped water bottle will eventually spill all over everything you love. The other day a friend was over and, of course I leave these rules unspoken, so I saw the glass on the coffee table next to both of our computers and said nothing. Two minutes later the glass spills and narrowly misses my external hard drive, and thus prompting this post.

4. Double check the memory card before erasing everything.

   As soon as I know a memory card is ready to be formatted (everything wiped off) and used anew, I put it in the memory card case right side up, indicating that when I put it in my camera I can format it. It’s already been checked over and put back right side up, but before I format it, I go through one more time scanning each photo making sure there’s nothing I need in there. I only do it once and once it’s confirmed I format it. When you’re going through thirteen memory cards looking for a set of photos, it’s a good feeling knowing there’s no way you could have accidentally deleted them. They’re there somewhere. Happy hunting. 

5. Eject before disconnecting.

   
   I don’t know why, but just do what it says. Before you unplug your hard drive or pull out the memory card, press that eject button and wait. We don’t understand how it’s 2019 and we can’t just pull it out, and it’s never caused any problems when we get impatient or it accidentally falls out (hello wobbly USB cords), but we all honor the rule as best we can, just in case. 

6. Never hand over your camera unless the strap is around someone’s neck.

   Now I just don’t hand over my camera at all because I don’t use a strap anymore, but two or three years ago, no matter who asked me, the strap went around the neck if he or she were deemed fit to take a photo in the first place. It always came with the disclosure, “I do this to everyone, it’s not that I don’t trust you, it’s that I don’t trust anyone to hold my livelihood without some insurance.”

7. Carry on as often as possible.

   I’ve actually never checked my camera bag, and I hope I never have to. 

8. Keep RAW files as long as possible.

   This is why external hard drives are invaluable. There will be many occasions where a client comes back asking for some random photo from months or even years ago, and though you may night be contractually obligated to deliver once a project is complete, how nice is it to know you might be able to make his or her wish come true? 

9. Write Contracts for every little thing.

   As much as this rule wishes to stay unwritten and unspoken, photographers ultimately learn the value of putting everything in writing and under contract. Starting out, it seems unnecessary, or even cold, but the more situations you run into that would have benefited from some clarity, it makes it easier to offer contracts as a way to give all parties realistic expectations. 

10. Help other photographers who ask the right questions.

    I kept this specific to photographers and not business owners in general, because there is a certain camaraderie among people of this trade. As artists we compulsively undervalue our work; as business owners we are entrepreneurial; as creators our work is sought after; and as humans we compare ourselves constantly. 

    
    We can all relate to each others’ stories and problems, and when someone reaches out with a genuine, specific question, we can’t help but answer. We don’t mentor for free, and we don’t hand over client lists. We don’t give up every answer we learned the hard way, but we understand, and we help each other grow and become better. 

    Photographers are one of the most varied group of people because even the medium “photography” refers to dozens of different skillsets, tools, techniques, and end products. But we’re typically pretty good at seeing the similarities in what is shared and are usually happy to speak to that to help a fellow photographer. 

Thinking Inside the Box - How to Stay "On-Brand" and Still Feel Creatively Free

Thinking Inside the Box

L I F E . S T Y L E D .

In the abstract and nebulous world of branding -- identifying moods, vibes, and tones -- guidelines are absolutely necessary. 

When I first take on clients photographing for their blogs or businesses, we discuss what types of photos we need. It's hard for some to articulate what they actually need because we are inundated with "cool" images that all seem to run together. My advice is always the same:

Set parameters for yourself and your brand and then go crazy within those guidelines. 

A few ways to set your own brand guidelines:

1. list the brands you identify with

From clothing to home decor, taking time to identify 3-5 main brands that you feel exemplify the mood you'd like to achieve can make a big difference. Some are classic, some are colorful, some are trendy, some are minimal, and some are playful. Some have vintage vibes, some make you wish you lived in New York City, some give you feelings of wanting to snuggle in bed all day with tea and a good book. 

For example:

• J. Crew - classic, American

• Anthropologie - vintage, feminine

• Revolve - sexy, traveler

• Rouge - French, feminine

• Urban Outfitters - trendy, vintage vibes

• Madewell - on-trend, minimal, denim

• Lou & Grey - minimal, form meets function, chic

• Zara - on-trend, street chic, architectural

• Doën - feminine, folksy, organic

These are just a few of thousands of examples, and you can see there are some brands that start to overlap. Jot down brands that make you happy that your brand identifies with, and then find the cohesion among them. 

2. Have a color Palette

Having a color palette or simply color tones that your brand identifies with will help you see in real-time where you want to photograph your next outfit, what to purchase online, how you want to style your office, and how you want your photos to be edited. It takes practice to see all these things in an instant, but take some time looking through Pinterest and hone in on a color palette that speaks to you and is practical to your life and brand. 

3. Identify Textures

Different textures and materials evoke different vibes. One way to start seeing which textures are in line with your brand is to notice the design in places like restaurants, brick and mortar stores, and hotels. Again, Pinterest is an amazing way to cull through images to pick out what is in line with your brand. Notice the finish of the texture as well. Metals come in all different colors and finishes; wood can be light or dark, finished or unfinished; paint on buildings can be smooth or stucco; streets can be rough or smooth (like modern streets compared to smoothed stone streets in old cities); water can be smooth or choppy with flecks of white; plants vary from light to dark, smooth to matte. 

All of these variations affect how the light hits off the texture. No need to go around inspecting every single thing that brings you simple joy, but be aware that just because one pair of soft black leather boots is in line with your brand, the shiny new pair next to it might not, and that's ok! 

4. Have a voice

There are a million bloggers. That's great. There are also a ton of doctors, lawyers, photographers, etc. That's not meant to discourage, it's meant to ignite your passion to be truly you and the best version of yourself you can be, and then share it! Remember, blogging caught on because people had something to say and took to the interwebs to say it, and then some people started connecting with them. More and more, bloggers gained a following because they were jotting down their life lessons, or their recipes, or their makeup tips, and people hit "follow" to make sure they didn't miss the next post. Blogging has evolved into mainly an "outfit of the day" model, but don't forget where it started. Give yourself as well as your followers a clear idea of the types of posts to expect. All of these guidelines don't magically become clear over night, but if you have it in the back of your mind to slowly hone in on who you are and what you have to say, the clarity will come. 

There could very well be twelve or so more points, but we'll leave it here. Ask your questions below or leave your comments on things that help you identify as a brand. 

One more wrench to throw into this convoluted guide: there are brands and vibes you can appreciate and admire, but be conscious of where your talents lie. Just because you like it, doesn't mean you have to emulate it. Discern between what you create and what you appreciate. 

Next step: Check out How to Create Consistent Photos  for your Instagram feed and blog. 

Wedding Tips from a Wedding Photographer

To be entirely fair, the term "wedding photographer" is being used to describe someone who has photographed weddings, enjoys it, but does not make 100% of her income from weddings and engagements.

Really, there is one major tip. The rest are suggestions.

Plan a wedding that is true to you

Everything else is secondary, or comes naturally, because once you've planned a day that is unique to you as a couple, you already know what you expect and what are priorities. 

After photographing or assisting however many weddings, that's the one thing I tell people who solicit advice. There are now countless wedding traditions that it seems people add to the check list of their day because they feel like they have to, or because it's just "what you do." I included a fair number of traditional wedding day happenings: bridesmaids gifts, limos and champagne to and from the church, cake cutting, bouquet toss, father/daughter and mother/son dances. So this isn't to say, "don't have wedding traditions just for the sake of it," but definitely make sure you're planning a day that you will enjoy. For example, if you don't love having all eyes on you, maybe opt out of a grand cake cutting.

The day is about marrying your one true love. Maybe that includes three hundred plus people to celebrate with you; maybe that includes two best friends to be your witnesses. Maybe it includes having your seven very best friends in matching dresses on the altar with you; maybe it means the small number you invite are your very best friends. 

Take time to evaluate why you want to do certain things on your wedding day, and make sure that it's because it's what will make it the most magical day of your life. 

Now the rest of the tips...

Find vendors you love

and form a good relationship with them. How? Ask around. Ask your venue for preferred vendors, ask on social media, meet with as many of them in person if you can, or hop on a call to make sure they are a good fit. It's time-consuming in a potentially stressful time, but it's something you will be thankful for later. 

We were so blessed in that my mother-in-law hand-wrote our invitations, programs, and table numbers in her beautiful calligraphy. When Basic Invite reached out about a collaboration, I assured them it would only be under the circumstance that I went through the process as if one of my own friends or brides were ordering invitations, and I loved the product. This is an example of finding a vendor you love - their website was user-friendly, and they were in touch every step of the way through order to making sure the product arrived and was to my satisfaction. That's the type of care and attention you look for in wedding vendors.

Invitation by Basic Invite

Do a trial run of your hair and makeup

Sounds simple enough, but the simplest things are often the most important. Just in case you din't know, now you do. You never want to be guessing how you're going to look on your wedding day.

Pinterest has its limits

Remember that when you scroll through Pinterest, you are seeing the absolute very best of wedding photos, and often they are photos from styled shoots, not real wedding days. Pinterest is a great place to be inspired for wedding ideas, but keep in mind that your wedding album will not be a shot-for-shot remake of your "I SAID YES" vision board. 

For color, hair style, wedding gift, etc. inspiration, go wild! Or... to become dead-set on having a s'mores bar at your wedding... 

Gather the details for a lovely photo

Anything special for your wedding day: your something old, new, borrowed, blue. Wedding jewelry, invitations, shoes, veil, garter, love notes, etc. Those detail shots can be some of the most beautiful, sentimental photos in your wedding album. 

Remember to smile

And remind your family to remember to smile. Sometimes during the wedding day there is more going on than you anticipate, and that often reads on people's faces. It's all about those joyful candids, and if you think happy thoughts and remember to smile, the photos come out magical. 

Bring flats

You might not wear them. But just bring them. Because it's much more fun to dance the night away and enjoy the company of your friends and family when your feet aren't throbbing for being in your exquisite wedding heels from twelve hours. 

But mostly... You do you

There are a million "tips" for a wedding day, but from my perspective, these were some heavy hitters to help the day run smoothly and give great wedding photos. The couples that look like they planned a wedding that is "so them" seem so at ease the whole day - enjoying every moment, making it a photographer's dream to capture it all! 

Why I Chose to Unfollow Two Thousand People on Instagram

"Chose to unfollow" sounds a bit more dramatic than it was. I recently discovered that this was one of the most searched topics on the BECKLEY site, so it's my pleasure to illuminate you all on the details. 

I currently, at this very moment at 9:41 am on February 22, follow I 183 on Instagram from the BECKLEY profile. A couple months ago that number was approaching two or three thousand - it's all a blur. Then I saw an ad on Instagram stories for an app that cleans out your Instagram, I swiped past because of the tiny "SPONSORED" in the top left corner, and then quickly went back for a closer look. For some reason in that moment, without thinking a lot about it, I downloaded the app.

I didn't look into all the details of what the app would do, but ultimately it unfollowed everyone I was following, without me having to manually do it.

WHY? 

I was being exposed to too much. I wanted to care about each post I saw, be inspired by every travel photo, think critically on every opinion shared, appreciate every fashion risk taken. Instead, I started comparing minute details within each post to my own work, or to someone else's aesthetic trying to find the difference between inspiration and copying. I judged more than I appreciated, and I became numb to the photos that once inspired me. 

I used to follow bloggers or brands and felt like I really knew them, or at least knew what to expect from them. But it started to feel like I was in a crowded room with people I should know, but really had no idea who they were. 

So I just wanted to start with a clean slate. It really wasn't much more than that. 

I'm analytical by nature, and the amount of stories, outfits, flat lays, breakfasts, travel photos, puppies, kids, inspirational quotes, etc. skewed my perception of the world. The constant influx of data made me anxious. And I would analyze the amount of shadow someone took up when they edit photos, or the way someone avoided a reflection of the camera in their wine glass, or if someone stands a certain way they look taller than they are in real life. I wasn't appreciating what people were actually posting, and that made me unimpressed by everything - including my own work. 

Being original is my number one, can't-let-it-go, biggest thing I hold on to. When I was seeing ten people shoot in the same location doing the same thing, it made me so annoyed. Then when a client would suggest we shoot in that location, I was wrapped up in trying to shoot in the same spot, but make it so different, and it was just a hot mess for a while if I'm being perfectly honest. I travel plenty for my work, so this wasn't Dallas specific, but I'm not excluding the same handful of spots that people shoot in Dallas. Dallas bloggers shoot in the same locations literally all the time, which completely makes sense because Dallas offers a bunch of photogenic locations and vignettes that no one person has claim over. There is no problem with people shooting in the same place, but I was frustrated in seeing how people photographed there previously, and it hindered my ability to feel like I was capturing the scene as I saw it - I was always skewed by trying to be different than what anyone else had done. 

It gave me clarity

That's the biggest thing. It gave me a breather to revisit who I am as a photographer. It helped clear my mind.

I will continue to add back to the amount of people I follow, but I'm so glad I shed that crutch of feeling like I needed to be following certain people in order to know what is relevant and on-trend. 

We have to be selective about what commands our attention. We only have so much brain capacity, and I'd rather dedicate my attention to friends, family, and my work, before I start offering it to some fashion blogger in Germany whose face I've never seen but who always looks good in jeans.. nope don't need that right now. 

Clear out the clutter, respect your own time, and be intentional about how you give your attention.

xo Becca

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When Should You Hire a Photographer for Your Blog?

A little about my background: I taught myself photography by photographing content for my food blog in 2010. It was a simple time, when I'd conceptualize, shop for, cook, photograph, and post all in one day. Now, most bloggers shoot multiple looks at once for multiple blog posts, planning out their content weeks, or even months in advance. The ideal scenario would be to literally have an "Instagram husband," where your days are dedicated to being inspired, creating content, and capturing images as the inspiration strikes. Some bloggers do have an "Instagram husband" who is someone that's available to shoot them basically wherever, whenever. Other people buy a nice camera, like a Canon Rebel, and hand it off to their friends or other bloggers to get a shot they need. Shooting with a s/o or a friend or a fellow blogger are all scenarios I encourage, especially when you're just starting out as a blogger, but when should you make the jump to invest in a photographer for your blog? 

Ashley Robertson

1. If you run your blog as a business

Paying a professional photographer is an investment, but it should be an investment that will yield you a tidy return. Ways to run a blog as a business are by making commission off the clothes or items in the photos, or by partnering with brands to do sponsored posts. Depending on your aesthetic, or on the guidelines of the sponsored posts, more often than not you will need high-resolution photos that will go on your own blog and that can possibly be used by the brand paying you to post. Having consistent, clear, professional photos helps bloggers and influencers stand out as being able to produce professional content that make brands excited to work with you. 

2. If you need images ideal for each social media site 

There's nothing like shooting an outfit or a blog post and looking back at the photos and realizing there's no photos that fit just right on Instagram without cropping your feet off awkwardly; or that there aren't any photos you can use for the banner image of your blog post; or that you have a million full-body photos, but you forgot to get a detail shot of the purse. Photographers that work with bloggers for a living usually know where the images are going, that you need enough options for each place the photo could end up, and that they all need to be clear, in focus, and on-brand. This ranges from Instagram photos, to Pinterest crops, banner images, Instagram stories. Negative space, color palettes, detail shots, campaign references. It's our job to know what you need without you having to know how to articulate it. 

3. If you prefer having plenty of options

And we do it in less time it will take you to get the same amount of photos. If you're paying good money for a photographer, you're basically outsourcing the photography and editing portion of your blog - this means you're making that part of blogging easier for yourself. When you hire a photographer, you should be getting plenty of options for photos, not just chancing into five good ones over the course of thirty minutes. We get the shots, we edit them for you, and send them off for you to choose your very favorites to post. (I can't speak for every photographer, but I will say you have great odds of end up with more clear, well-composed photos than with shooting with an amateur.)

we get the shot - and then some

4. If you are looking to save time

When well-planned, photographers can shoot anywhere from 3-6 looks in one hour, delivering plenty of edited photos for each outfit. There are a lot of amazing "Instagram husbands" that can get great photos, but if you're short an IH and need to create content for your week's worth of posts, it's wise to invest in hiring a photographer for an hour and getting it all done at once, than shooting sporadically. 

5. If you're looking to curate your brand

Shooting with one or a few professional photographers, can help you hone in on your brand by guiding and being a part of your creative process to give you consistent photos. This can be achieved without a professional photographer (all of these points can, technically), but it's our job to confer with clients to make sure the photos we deliver represent not only our brand as photographers, but mostly the blogger's brand. Sometimes it's as simple as picking up on the blogger's vibe, but it can become a more intimate relationship where your photographer is invested in helping you stand out with your personal brand. 

Whether you shoot with friends, or consistently hire a photographer, or even do a hybrid of both, the most important thing is that you enjoy it and are able to create something true to you. All forms of blogs, blog photography, etc. are great, but if you're wondering if you should make the jump and invest in a photographer for you blog, hopefully these five points will help you decided if it's the right choice for you. 

To learn more about how we can help you build your brand as a blogger or small business, click here.

cover image + slideshow images | Fashion Jackson

Community Over Competition

Write what you know.

That's a pretty standard writing cliché, right? Just thought I'd get it out of the way before continuing this blog post that is true to my heart. Literally, on the left side of my screen I have four drafted blog posts, one doesn't even have a title. "Gifts for," "How to Identify your Brand - Part I," "No Title," and "How to Take the Best Photo." They all have either an intro sentence or, obviously, don't even have a title. This jumped the line because of an encounter I had this morning and I realized this might be a concept I've been taking for granted.

When I began photographing for bloggers and small businesses, BECKLEY was just a hobby. I count myself fortunate that when I began my business, there wasn't a lot of risk involved; I was pursuing a career in physical therapy so whatever I did as BECKLEY was just a bonus. It was a happy time of meeting bloggers, befriending "real" photographers, and getting my name out there for the fun of it.

Now that this is my career, I am so glad I got my start with the right attitude - an attitude of community over competition - because I didn't really have "competition." More so I had a community of people I respected and admired. 

Why do we feel competitive?

It happens to the best of us. We see someone doing something similar, or working with people you saw as "your people," or someone didn't give you appropriate credit. There's always SOMETHING we can find that has the potential to strike a chord. 

I find that whenever I look at someone's work with anything less than excitement for that person, that's a reflection about how I'm feeling about my own work. When I see people succeeding and the phrase "congratulations" doesn't immediately come to mind, that's a reflection of how well I think I'm succeeding or not succeeding. 

But someone creating cool images, or wearing something so chic I'm mad I didn't think of it myself, or being published somewhere is a reflection of their own merits. If I'm feeling uncomfortable with that or wishing I were doing something similar, that's a great opportunity to think about what's going on in my own life that's preventing me from doing those things. Maybe I'm bending too much for a certain client and need to regain my vision as a photographer; maybe I'm not planning my time well and am feeling over-worked and not creating as much as I'd like to be. Either way, whenever I feel that pang of competition, I think of it as a chance to acknowledge the real reason I'm feeling uncomfortable, do something about it, and move on. 

How do you find a community?

Buck up and be nice. That's all it takes. I used to reach out when I was just starting out and let other photographers in the area know that I respected and admired their work and that if I ever had client overflow I would be giving out their info. It was a genuine act and one that helped my career exponentially. 

Reach out online or even in person. We're at a point where it is completely normal to walk up to someone you recognize from Instagram and say how much you liked their last blog post or the outfit they posted on Thanksgiving. People love that (usually) and it's a great way to introduce yourselves and foster a sense of community.

Practice what you preach. If you're leaving comment after comment "One word: Fabulous! That outfit looks amazing!" say it in real life too. Hang out with people that are acquaintances that might become friends. Collaborate on a project together. Just know to check yourself: if you're feeling competitive or that your ideas are similar already and you don't want to risk copying each other, table that topic and talk about something outside of your field. 

We have the capacity to help each other grow. 

WE HAVE the capacity to help EACH OTHER grow. 

When you foster a sense of community you are treating yourself and those around you with kindness and respect. We have so much to learn from other people and going it alone is the long hard road that is honestly a waste of time. 

Please, this week go sit at a coffee shop and strike up a conversation. Or meet someone you follow on Instagram and grab a drink. Some cities have a wonderful community of entrepreneurs and young professionals and old professionals - people to learn from! Some cities aren't as inclined towards that scene, so be the person who reaches out and FORMS a community! 

Have fun with it and let me know how good you feel once you adopt this as your way of life!

SHOP THE POST

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Creating Consistent Photos for Your Brand

BRANDING. There's that wonderful word again. Part of branding is having consistency, well all of branding is having consistency - it just depends on how you define that. 

There are a million different directions I could go with this blog post, but I am going to start with just one: Instagram. 

"How do I get a consistent feed?!"

I'll tell you.

REMEMBER: What you enjoy looking at and what inspires you, might not be what you are good at creating. One of my favorite bloggers is Julia Engel (Gal Meets Glam), but my Instagram feed looks nothing like hers. I learned I tend to shoot and edit with more contrast and am drawn to cooler tones... and a lot of denim. I will shoot more similarly to her brand from time to time, but I've learned to play to my strengths and market myself a certain way. 

I asked, and you all told me your favorite instagrams to follow - the people whose feed you look at and you just think, "I like this vibe!" 

1. DEFINE YOUR STYLE

Each of these bloggers has her own sense of style. Some are feminine, some are summery, some are vintage, some are laid back... Having a sense of style doesn't mean only wearing certain things, but it means knowing what makes you feel like your best self and expressing yourself through you clothes, accessories, or home decor in a way that is uniquely you.

2. HAVE A COLOR SCHEME

Identifying with a color scheme is one of the easiest ways to start adding continuity in your feed. Editing and filters can only go so far - WHAT you take photos of matters the most. For example, Ashley (Teacher Diva) is good about keeping a thread of soft pinks throughout her feed, and finds the color everywhere - flowers, drinks, clothes. Pick a few colors that work for your brand AND are what you happen to see every day. Try to pick a couple neutrals and then a pop of color, like green, blue, cream, with a pop of peach or orange 

3. SHOOT IN CONSISTENT LIGHTING

Something that may not be as obvious at first glance, but a huge way to have consistent photos is to shoot in the same type of light as much as possible. Either in the shade, or at dusk, in the bright sun, or inside with cozy ambient light. Once the first two are nailed down, and you are shooting in consistent light, you will start to really see all your images coming together. This really helps keep your whites and blacks consistent, which creates a huge impact when looking at all your photos together. 

4. PICK A FILTER OR TWO

Since we are talking about Instagram, let's talk about VSCO - the app that is the easiest way to add consistency in your feed without using Instagram filters and picking what suits your brand best. Because life cannot all be one color scheme, or one type of light, I suggest you buy all the filters - maybe a total of $20, and play around with the filters to find what fits your brand. This helps keep your color tones (whites, blacks, etc.) the same throughout your feed, even if the photos were taken by different people at different times. Be careful about using them subtly, I can speak for every photographer when I say there is nothing like delivering one batch of photos and then seeing something COMPLETELY different on someone's feed. But when used correctly, by all means, add a filter at a strength of 20-30% to add some continuity to your feed. When executed well, it's a game changer. 

Other good editing tools: Snapseed & Filmborn

5. USE A PLANNING APP

For a while I was against this, because if you are doing the first four, they should all go together. But I have learned, especially when I am sitting on a lot of content that needs to be posted, it helps to see it all laid out. 

I send myself 3 or 4 photos from only 3 or 4 shoots, and then add a few detail shots of other things that go with my color scheme, run them all through VSCO (adding a slight filter), then open them in my planning app. Then I rearrange them until there is a good thread of each color or texture running through the 9-12 photos. And if I'm traveling or out and want to post a photo right there from that night, great! Nothing should stop you from being spontaneous and posting what you love. Even if a photo doesn't fit sometimes, if you love it, you should post it, and then just pick up right where you left off in your feed. 

Favorite planning apps: Planoly & Preview

Tag me if you try any of these tips! I'd be so excited to see how you apply them to your own feeds!

As always, have fun with it! If it's stressing you out, take a step back to remember why you do what you do and what makes it enjoyable. Give yourself a reasonable set of boundaries to establish your brand, and then go wild!

Also note: what's really on trend right now is not giving a s*** - so shoot in mixed light, wear a funky accessory, don't highly edit your photos, and you will surely be on-trend. 

How to Shoot Product Photos for your Blog

Mail day! (Really every day in the blogging community) One, two, even three times a day, a courier arrives at the door trading you a package for your signature. Door closes, package ripped open: more products. More products to try, photograph, and post about. Cosmetics, hair products, snacks, teas, grooming essentials, kitchen gadgets - all mailed to bloggers all the time to post. Some make the cut and their pretty posed photo makes it to the pages of the blog! Some never see the light of day and end up in the guest bath or given to your best friend because - well how much Clinique does a blogger really need? (And we can talk about that later - discerning what makes it to the blog and what doesn't). But let's talk about photographing these beauties. 

Some easy tips whether you're using your phone, mirrorless camera, or DSLR: 

1. Find a spot with good lighting

Usually by a window or well-lit spot in your home, this makes capturing clear images so much easier. When you find a place or two that work well for you, stick to those spots, and style them according to what you're photographing. Usually the bed, side table, and maybe a windowsill, balcony, or patio are great go-to's. 

2. Shoot with a low f-stop (but not too low)

This applies to people shooting with a mirrorless camera or a DLSR. The f-stop is how blurred the background is, and affects how much light is let it. A lot of people are looking to achieve a really blurry background, so they set the f-stop as low as it can go. For some lenses that's an f-stop of 3.5, others as low as 1.2. That blurry, creamy background is beautiful, but you want to make sure that enough of the product is clear and in focus. Try shooting with an f-stop around 2.0-3.0. If you still want a really blurry background, put the products far away from the background, so there is more room for the background to be blurred.

black marble laptop case for Janet Gwen Designs

The entire computer is in focus, and is far enough away from the wall behind it, making the laptop case clear and fully in focus

3. Set a scene

It doesn't have to be fancy, but gather some items in your home that make you happy and relate to the product. They can be the same color scheme, or just relate to each other in some way. This puts the product in context, and gives you a way to represent yourself and your own brand.

anthropologie home scents

to go with the gold tones of the diffuser, i gathered candles, with white and gold labels, a gold frame, my gold watch, and even grabbed a jar from my bathroom, and put them in front of my antique gold mirror

4. iPhones are really great for flat lays

Save yourself the headache of adjusting the ISO, aperture, and shutter speed for getting all the products perfectly lit and in focus for the flat lay you envision. iPhones are really great for capturing products and it's much easier to see when you're getting a straight, clear image on your phone. 

Product photos should be a fun chance to capture something you love and want to share. It doesn't have to be literal - this isn't an e-commerce shoot. What's important is to capture how it applies to you, and by finding good lighting, getting a clear photo, and staging it properly, you can have fun with the rest.

Happy shooting and happy mail day! 

S H O P  T H E  P O S T

An Open Letter to The Internet

a new title might evolve as I write, but for now, I'll offer this rant as an address to the Internet, its users, followers, criticizers, and victims. 

As I post this, I'm hoping to follow my guidelines for blog topics, which is that blog posts should fall under at least one of three categories: aspirational, inspirational, or informational. I hope you find this as useful in seeing the truth behind the posts, the photos, etc. and move forward with this information (and ventilation). (...fingers crossed that's the noun form of 'venting') 

NUMBER ONE

Posts should be INSPIRATIONAL, ASPIRATIONAL, or INFORMATIONAL. If you've taken it upon yourself to hold the title of "blogger," "influencer," or the like, you are posting for the benefit of others. You aren't posting for praise or gratification, you are posting because you have something to say, something to share, a VOICE. It doesn't have to be profound, or even novel, but it should be original and honest. Your voice can be your sense of style, how you decorate your home, how you navigate parenthood. It can be as simple as "I'm human, this is me." 

INSPIRATION comes in the most humble of forms. For me, if I see someone post that they WENT to the gym, I'm inspired to do the same. I don't care how their workout went, or what their body looks like, I'm just inspired to get off my couch and at least do as much as the next person. 

ASPIRATION is when I see someone's beautiful, designed, (expensive I'm sure) home - decorated with fresh flowers, antique rugs, and custom cabinets - and I think, "one day" but until then, I can at least clean my apartment, put on lovely music, buy some Trader Joe's flowers, and light some candles. 

INFORMATION is pretty explanatory, yet severely lacking in most of what is going on social-medially. 

So there's #1

NUMBER TWO

Copying versus being inspired. 

This touches again on originality. 

I'll keep this pretty simple since it seems to be misunderstood quite often. 

It is totally normal - and in my opinion a wonderful part about sharing so much on the internet - to see someone doing something and want to emulate the same. I love seeing images that "make me feel some sort of way" (how my intern put it that in a way I could never say better myself). I love being drawn into a scene and seeing more than what the photo is giving me. I see things in a new light and want to create that same mood or feeling in my photos. Pinterest comes to mind in these examples - this photo especially:

c/o Madewell via Pinterest

This image always speaks to me - there is a fun story about who she is, and where she's going. Her clothes influence the way I dress, and the scene makes me want to pack a picnic and wear Madewell every weekend.

BUT I would NEVER have a model or blogger wear white jeans + blue button down + hat + berkenstocks and be getting a picnic basket out of whatever Jeep/Bronco/SUV for the sake of recreating this image. 

It DOES make me want to raid Madewell and go on a photogenic picnic adventure myself - which is great because I'm pretty sure this was an ad. 

like so.

So emulating the same mood, feel, tone, etc. - great. You learn as you go and you'll see things the more you practice and you'll be able to create scenes without reference photos.

Wearing the same thing at the same location posed the same way as someone else - NOPE.

NUMBER THREE

View with caution. We all know the internet is mostly a funnel where only the most glamorous, well-lit, best-dressed gets through. I do it too - of course I'm going to post Instagram stories of myself right after I do my hair, why wouldn't I? (Not that I have to, but again, why wouldn't I?)

Still, I hear all the time about people believing that what they see is what's really happening. I take this notion pretty seriously as it's my job as a photographer to make things look good, but I always keep honesty in there. That's where "LIFE. STYLED." comes from. I really do try to keep my office clean, exercise (...moderately...), visit beautiful places, etc. I like having a photogenic life. I don't wipe off one corner of my desk just for the sake of a photo; I'd rather set a timer for 7 minutes, clean the room, and then photograph it. 

Hopefully other people do the same, but they don't. Not everyone at least. And if you find yourself COMPARING and thinking "she dresses like this all the time, what am I doing with my life wearing yoga pants to the mall"... another NOPE. It would be wonderful to think "that's such a cute outfit, that makes me want to spruce up and put on something cute to run errands" OR "that's nice that's her job to look good in the photos she posts. These leggings are really comfortable and hide the salsa I just spilled on myself" (another truth: life isn't ALWAYS "LIFE. STYLED.") 

Just realize the more and more people post, the more and more manufactured these images become. I am paid to photograph up to 6 outfits at a time for bloggers to post throughout the week. It does create a wonderful image that they are out and about looking great. (Every client I can think of really does dress cute, and care very much about the content of their blog) But the point is that OBVIOUSLY these images only show the best of the best. Please don't compare yourself. Find the nugget of inspiration, aspiration, or information and move on. And if you aren't getting those things, don't pay attention and get on with your own beautiful life. 

NUMBER FOUR

I'll wrap it up after this - it's been four days of writing this post and I forgot the rest of the points I was going to touch on. 

Just because everyone else seems to be doing something doesn't mean you have to. Be original. Be inspired. Be fresh. Be real. People like that and people like engaging with the truths behind the post. 

How to Shoot in Full Sun

You have probably heard the term "magic hour" or "golden hour" at some point when trying to decide the best time to take photos. The golden hour is that perfect time right around sunrise and sunset when everything glows, skins looks soft, there is enough light to capture the image, but no harsh shadows or blow out highlights. Ask almost any photographer, and this is the ideal time to shoot on most occasions.

But what do you do when you don't have the leisure to wait around for 7:55 at night or wake up before dawn to be ready for sunrise photos? (Yes, during the summer "magic hour" is 7:50-9:00pm!)

Memorial Day weekend always offers great photo ops - on a boat, in a new swimsuit, at a barbecue with friends - and because the days are so long, we have hours and hours of harsh mid-afternoon lighting. 

Here are a few tips for both SLR users and iPhone photographers on how to get great photos this weekend without waiting for sunset to do it! 

1. Find a shady spot

Under an awning, next to a building, or the first floor of a party barge... finding full shade during the mid-afternoon light makes photos pop, especially if the subject is facing the light. This offers even lighting, but lots of it, and is probably one of my favorite ways to shoot when it's sunny. 

One Small Blonde | You can tell how bright it was outside, but we found a strip of sidewalk that was completely shaded from the building. The sun was in front of Brooke, so she was facing the light, making a clear, evenly-lit photo

2. Find even lighting in the sun

This can be a little trickier than shooting in full shade, but if it's 4:00 or 5:00 when the sun has started to cast longer shadows, face directly toward the sun, and that should offer even lighting. If you're shooting on a DSLR, this might be a good time to shoot on Auto so you don't end up with an over-exposed photo. With an iPhone, make sure you tap the focal point on the brightest spot ON your subject. (Here is an example of how to shoot in full sun on my BASICS post) 

Loubies and Lulu | This was taken at about 10am - I loved how the colors popped in the sun, so I stood exactly in the direction of the sun, and photographed Andrea so she was in full sun. You can see that her shadow is directly behind her - something to look for when trying to get a photo facing the sun.

2. Shoot with backlighting

This would apply in the later afternoon, or in a shady spot with the sun peaking through behind you. Find your subject's shadow on the ground, and have him or her face it. This will put the sun directly behind the subject. This is also how the "light and airy" photos are taken during magic hour. 

One Small Blonde | You can see the sun peaking out from behind the building, creating a sunny glow on Brooke.

Fashion Jackson | The sunlight was shining harshly from the left side of the image, and Amy's shadow is cast opposite - on the right. I took it from this angle because we wanted this black in the background, but I had her face away from the sun (and towards her shadow) so her face and most of her body would be evenly lit. I could have taken it with her standing in the same place, but turned to face her shadow, and I would have stood facing the sun. This would have created more of a glow around her head and body from the sunlight behind her.

Don't be afraid to play around with lighting and settings this weekend! We have a three-day weekend and that's a great opportunity to go out and practice! Sometimes "wrong" photos turn out to be some of our favorites, so don't be discouraged if they aren't turning out exactly how you envision them. Take a couple days and look back again and you might love them even more. 

For uploading photos real-time, I recommend editing on your phone with Snapseed and VSCO. Snapseed is a great app for editing brightness, saturation, clarity, etc; and VSCO has tons of great filters where you can adjust the amount of filter you add to a photo, which I love because sometimes you don't need to change the photo all that much. 

AND MY MEMORIAL DAY CHALLENGE TO EVERYONE! PLEASE

Please.

Do not facetune yourself. Don't make your eyes clearer or your waist smaller. You are perfect. Yes, PERFECT. Just the way you are. 

*Ideal lighting* - first floor of a two-story party barge circa 2013, in all our college-age red-solo-cup-toting glory.

How to Stand Out as a Fashion Blogger

from behind the lens

a BECKLEY series of tips for businesses and bloggers as told from my perspective behind the camera

The blogging world seems so simple: put on an outfit, try out a product, write about it, and include some photos to go with the post. But now there are hundreds of bloggers popping up every day, and it might feel difficult to differentiate yourself or to stand out in the crowd. After photographing bloggers for three years, I've noticed tips and tactics done by some of the top fashion and lifestyle bloggers.

1. Add dimension to your outfit

Layer pieces by adding a coat, hat, scarf, or sweater. Or try something different by pairing a day dress with a simple white shirt underneath. 

For spring and summer, think about adding detail and texture to your outfits. An interesting sleeve, or a lacy bralette, plus some chic sunglasses add interest to the photo without piling on hot layers.

pictured: (top and bottom left) The Fashion Barr, (top and bottom right) Fashion Jackson

2. Define your style

It's so easy to be inspired by and want to do everything, but defining your sense of style and your voice will go a long way in forming your brand and letting your readers know what to expect and why they follow you. It will also help with that elusive 'perfect quilt' that is the first people see when they find your Instagram account. 

You don't have to put a name on it, but finding silhouettes, color schemes, brands, and accessories that feel true to you will help establish your brand as a fashion blogger and let your readers know what to expect when they start following your blog.

A goal should be that if your name and face aren't on the photo, people are still able to identify you.

Pictured: Always Coco Noelle

3. Shop Local

Take advantage of your community. Shoot outside of local restaurants or grab some shots inside a cool coffee shop. When people can engage with what you're doing, it bridges the gap between just scrolling through photos on your phone and the real world. 

With affiliate programs that give commission through certain stores, it can be tempting to post only items from those brands, but don't forget about personal connections. Try going into a local boutique, finding something that speaks to you and putting a good word out for the spot. Chances are other people are also a fan of the store and there's one more real life connection to make with your readers.

Pictured: (top left, left to right) Always Coco Noelle, Fashion Veggie, Fashion Hour at Filament, Deep Ellum; (top right) Dropcap Design at Houndstooth, Sylvan Thirty; (bottom left) The Charm Scout at Weekend Coffee, Downtown; (bottom right) One Small Blonde at Stirr, Deep Ellum

4. Study

Know the trends, practice the poses, know the cool local spots, and know what people are excited about. Reading magazines, local newsletters, and following other bloggers are a few ways for bloggers to study their field. Not to be confused with copying, but it's important to know what's on trend. And if you're particularly inspired by something that you want to make your own, it's always worth a shoutout to your inspirer - another great way to connect! 

5. Engage with the scene

Nothing draws people in like portraying a feeling or mood in a single photo or photo story. By interacting with your surroundings, it paints a picture of who you are, what you're doing, and creates an aspirational image that makes people want to see more. 

Pictured: (top left) Mom Crush Monday, (top right) Labels of Freedom, (bottom left) Living with Landyn, (bottom right) The Mode Crave