Amanda @aglamlifestyle giving us all the outfit inspo from Loveshack Fancy pretty and frilly, to leather on leather street style glam, to weekend chic in The Village.
Read moreNYFW: A Glam Lifestyle
Entourage of Style
L I F E . S T Y L E D .
Winter Essentials
Winter Essentials from Pretty In Pink Megan
L I F E . S T Y L E D .
Pretty in Pink Megan making a statement with her winter wardrobe.
Read moreRain and Shine
Rain & Shine with Erica Jay Taylor
L I F E . S T Y L E D .
Erica Jay Taylor of @missericajay brightening up a rainy day during New York Fashion Week.
Read moreFive Mistakes to Avoid When Shooting Instagram Photos
These are rookie mistakes to avoid to help you get clearer, more impactful photos… for Instagram.
Read moreWhy I Chose to Unfollow Two Thousand People on Instagram
WHY I CHOSE TO UNFOLLOW
TWO THOUSAND PEOPLE
L I F E . S T Y L E D .
"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
The Subconscious "Like"
Constantly, I've been wondering to myself if I should drastically change the way I edit. You know, to be more recognized for my photos -- to really hone in on that "BECKLEY branding." This idea keeps swirling around in my head -- pretty close to the drain honestly --
Read moreCommunity Over Competition
community over competition
L I F E . S T Y L E D .
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
Why #GIRLBOSS Needs to Go, and Other Hashtags that Will Make Me Unfollow You
Brooke, One Small Blonde
"HASHTAG GIRLBOSS"
Started as something empowering. I admit throwing it around from time to time when I was surrounded by people taking the plunge, ...
Read moreHow to Climb Out of a Creative Slump
Artists, academics, athletes, whatever categories you happen to fall under, we all feel dried up at some point, losing our sense of why, how, and even what we are doing.
Read moreCreating 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.
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 Spend 24 Hours at the Joule
"You can't give from an empty vessel"
A great mantra I learned earlier this year and repeat to myself often, but it is easier said than done. Especially when you have a job that never really has a clear "clocking out" time.
By a series of good fortune, though, Andrew and I happened upon a blissful and coffee-filled 24 hours to celebrate our two year anniversary. Converging was an invitation to stay at the Joule and having just traded engagement photos from some very nice bottles of champagne. So bring on the Dom and fluffy robes, we enjoyed ourselves an ultimate staycation. And we brought Truman along - WHAT more could a girl ask for.
How did we spend our time? Mostly food. We were going to try to go to the spa but of course tried to get so much done the Saturday before checking in, it would have been a bit much to squeeze in. So we're saving that for a day (hopefully) in the near future because I've heard wonderful things about the Joule Spa.
1. Activated Charcoal Drinks by the Joule Pool
Just make sure you don't spill any on your clothes
The Joule pool is a guest-only amenity which is refreshing in many ways since what Dallasite isn't trying to hang out at a nice hotel pool in these dog days of summer.
2. Champagne and Getting Ready for Dinner
Here's a thing you may or may not know: I'm obsessed with my dog Truman Capote. After the pool we headed back to the room to hang out with T, sip some champagne, and get ready for dinner. The rooms are so luxurious down to every detail. And the robes are heaven.
3. Dinner at Americano
Put plates of fried risotto balls, whole branzino, stuffed zucchini blossoms, apple tart, and tiramisu, and multiple glasses of wine in front of us and we are up for the challenge. Haven't come across any dish I haven't loved at Americano (which also happens to be on my list of most inspiring spaces in Dallas).
4. Breakfast in Bed
Everything was delicious, everything felt decadent and 'vacation-worthy' but a huge part for us was getting to snuggle with our puppy and spend more time together.
5. Coffee at Weekend + Browse Taschen Books
Look closely. This is the point of the ENTIRE POST.
After enjoying a leisurely breakfast in bed, we went downstairs to Weekend Coffee so I could get my almondmilklattewithalittlebitofvanilla (I'm not human without it). I was excited to show Andrew around Taschen Books and pointed out my favorite on the shelves: Helmut Newton's Polorids - just a brilliant book you have to check it out. ("Brilliant" in the British sense, is how I'm saying it in my head). We were in luck! What I was showing Andrew happened to be their last copy, AND we got a percentage off since it had been on display and showed subtle finger prints but that's about it. (We are saving for a car so every little discount gets us really excited.)
We buy it, I look up at him and smile, I feel warm and fuzzy inside. I'm so excited to own this bit of culture. We get in the elevator. We are too adorbs I guess, and as Andrew kisses my cheek... COFFEE. Coffee on my shoes, on the floor, and on every single page of the book.
I may have overreacted.
He felt so bad but I honestly didn't respond very well, which is unusual for us. I think sometimes there is pressure for an occasion to just go *so* perfectly, I tend to analyze every little interaction comparing it to the ideal image I see. It was a good lesson for me, because I hadn't realized I had been doing it until our ride home and we were both a little frustrated and I had some time to think about how I handled it.
A week later, a package arrived for me. A brand spanking new pristine copy of the book, sent from my loving, thoughtful husband, "so I could tear out and hang the pages of the coffee-stained one and keep the other one as a beautiful coffee table book".... I married an amazing man. And remind myself to always take a breath, be patient, and work as a team through anything.
Coffee on my coffee table book...
Love you Duke Joseph
SHOP THE POST
Inspiring Spaces - Dallas
SOCIETY
Bishop Arts District
SOCIETY by Jackson Vaughn is a tiny candle shop in the Bishop Arts District that looks - and smells - exactly like you walked into someone's candle-filled study. It's eclectic but cohesive. Knick knacks and enough scents to spend a whole afternoon smelling. Walking in is instantly relaxing and cozy, and even though it's small, it's easy to get lost in there.
HOUNDSTOOTH
Sylvan Thirty
Houndstooth Coffee is a slightly mellower Houndstooth than it's sister location on Henderson. The muted greens, natural wood, and sleek blacks and whites, make this a perfect place to get some work done, but mostly chat with a friendly neighbor. It makes the city of Dallas feel like a small town, where most people who walk through stop to say hello, catch up, and go on with their days. Natural light streams in, and the palm fronds that lean against the side windows make you feel like you could be anywhere in the world (other than Dallas).
Set & Co.
Davis Street
Housewares, magazines, furniture, and every other perfectly-curated trinket you can imagine. Walking in to Set & Co. is like walking into your interior-designer-friend's house and wanting everything for yourself but then actually being able to buy it. It is owned by a husband and wife who are just as cool as their store and it is always a welcome space where you can wander, peruse, and treat yourself.
Place on Parry
Fair Park
Place on Parry is a blank canvas plus a little bit more. An all-white event space that is literally anything you want it to be. Rentable as a photo studio, workshop space, a place to host a dinner or engagement party, it's lofty ceilings and open floor plan are perfect for letting your creativity take over. It has a huge window in serving as the street-side wall that let's in so much light, that would make any photographer swoon.
Americano
The Joule Hotel
The food is amazing, that's a given. But the color palette at Americano is what makes this Italian-American restaurant inside the Joule Hotel so special. Lovely hues of turquoise, red, and green against a black grid of windows really transports diners into a world where siestas and afternoon Aperol spritzes replace the mid-afternoon slump and another cup of bland coffee. It's comfortable, it's happy, there's pizza - it's wonderful. Added bonus: there's a neon sign in the very back that reads: IT'S ALL IN YOUR HEAD. (what Instagram dreams are made of)
Local Press & Brew
Oak Cliff
The best place about Local Press & Brew is that this coffee shop slash juice bar not only makes all their products locally, but they also sell and support work of local artisans. It's sleek and contemporary without losing any sense of hospitality. White subway tile, minimal wood stools, marble tables, a wall of mirrors, and beautifully displayed local goods make Local a perfect place to stop in, grab a green juice, take a breath, recharge, and tackle the rest of the day.
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.
Taking a Breather with a Pizza Picnic and Lots of Wine
Last night I enjoyed an al fresco evening with my husband Andrew and ended the evening feeling so much more inspired and cleansed of petty stressors that occur when you simply spend too much time "plugged in."
Favorite components of a relaxing picnic that I look forward to recreating many times this summer:
1. Get Outside
Obviously a picnic is outside. But just the act of sitting on a picnic blanket, with a couple pizzas and a bottle of wine was so much more relaxing than being in our apartment or in a restaurant with all the distractions of work/home life or other people. Once in a while it feels so good to step away into your own world outlined by the edges of your blanket.
2. Bring Books and Magazines
Broaden your horizons and and ignite a fire of inspiration. Just from one story that takes you to a far off land or an article that exposes you to something you thought you would never find interesting, you can dream up ideas, trips, experiences of your own that you can look forward to someday in the future - either distant or very near.
I read aloud to Andrew about a writer's experience understanding jazz. Music that demands presence, living in the moment, but that can quickly become dull when performed "too right." It left us with imagery and a topic to talk about - because let's be honest we usually just talk about our dog Truman and the kind of house we want "when we grow up"
My favorite publications: Darling Magazine | The Art of Being a Woman, Kinfolk, and Food & Wine
3. Listen to Music
We all know why we need music. It heals and inspires. It offers a soundtrack to our lives and is our best friend. Andrew and I bring our Jambox EVERYWHERE...
4. Keep it Simple
Local pizza and a fresh salad - we just brought a couple bowls and snagged paper plates, plastic forks, and paper napkins. If anyone is in Dallas looking for the best pizza around - Cibo Divino is our favorite spot. I love Neapolitan pizza already, but BONUS it's ready so fast because it hardly takes any time to cook. So we just picked it up and were on our merry way. It really did make us feel like we were somewhere other than Dallas, with the authentic char of the pizza bringing us the taste of Italy, and the fresh Buratta salad melting in our mouth with sweet bursts of cherry and tangy arugula... obviously I was very pleased with not cooking and simply enjoying the food we bought.
5. Drink the Wine
Just drink the wine. Breathe in the fresh air. Read out loud. Laugh. Think. Listen. Eat an extra piece of pizza. Drink the wine. Taste the wine. Enjoy the present. Think about the future. Reminisce about the past. Unplug, unwind, relax.
SHOP THE POST
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
THE BASICS | An Introduction to Taking Better Photos
First we started with point and shoot film and disposable cameras. We'd pick the maker, Fuji, Kodak, etc. and the ISO - KODAK 400, for example. Photos were pretty easy. You'd load the film, click, drop off the film, and they'd either come out good, or not so good.
Then we had digital point and shoots. Throwing up deuces and duck faces. Selfies and indoor flash. And they'd either come out good, or not so good.
Now we have smart phones. We point, we shoot, we edit, we filter, and they usually come out pretty good. But we can get into that later.
What I want to talk about now, though, is DSLR cameras. Most of us have worked our way up the ladder to own some sort of DSLR, wether it's a Canon Rebel or a Nikon D3300, or something even more heavy duty like a Mark IV... The great thing about these cameras is the ability to change lenses and shoot in manual mode.
I've had many people ask me how to move up from Auto settings to start taking clearer, sharper, all-around better images. And before we get into specific examples, we need to cover the basics.
There are three components to shooting in Manual mode: SHUTTER SPEED, APERTURE, and ISO.
All three factors can be changed to work with each other to create a well-lit, clear, detailed photo and they all relate to how the camera uses light
A guy in college told me as he was ruffling through his camera bag of lenses.. while I stood there with my one Canon Rebel and one lens - Painters use paint as their medium; Photographers use light
ISO | the camera's sensitivity to light
In film cameras ISO indicated the film's sensitivity. In digital cameras, on a scale usually ranging from 100-6400+ it is the sensitivity to light. On a bright day outside, the camera needs to be less sensitive because there is plenty of light available - you would probably shoot with an ISO of 100. In a darker setting, like outside at dusk or at night, there is less available light, so the ISO has to be higher - ISO of 500+ depending on how much light is available.
One way to make an image brighter is to make the ISO higher. However, the higher the ISO, the more grain will appear in the image.
APERTURE | light allowed into the camera (f-stop)
Aperture relates to the lens on the camera. Often lenses are referred to by (1) focal length and (2) f-stop. For example, I mainly shoot with a 50mm 1.2, meaning the lowest f-stop on the lens will be 1.2.
The lower the f-stop (the smaller the number), the more light is allowed into the lens. An f-stop of 1.2 will let in a lot of light, meaning the lens is set to be wide open to let in as much light as possible. The higher the f-stop, the less light will the allowed into the camera.
The lower the f-stop, the shallower the depth of field. So with an f-stop of 1.2, only a small plane of the image will be in focus. This is how to create a blurred background: shooting with a small f-stop (or wide open aperture).
The higher the f-stop, the deeper the depth of field. An f-stop of 5.6 will allow a deeper plane to be in focus. This is ideal for group photos with rows of people, to get all the rows in focus; landscape photography is another example where you might want to shoot with a higher f-stop, to allow more things to be in focus as you look out onto the horizon.
TWO main things are affected with f-stop:
1. The lower the f-stop, the more light is let into the camera; the higher the f-stop, the less light is let into the camera
2. The lower the f-stop, the more shallow the depth of field (more blurred background); the higher the f-stop, the deeper depth of field (allowing more things to be in focus)
SHUTTER SPEED | how long the shutter is open
Shutter speed indicates how fast or slowly the shutter opens and closes. The longer the shutter is open, the more light is allowed into the camera; the faster the shutter speed, the less light is allowed into the camera.
Movement, like people walking or talking with hand gestures, needs to be taken with a high shutter speed (1/160 or faster). Interiors, landscapes, and product photos where the subject is not moving can be shot at a lower shutter speed, especially in it's shot in a dim setting to let more light into the camera.
If the shutter speed is too low, the subject can become blurred if the camera is not held steady enough. This is when tripods are useful.
ALL TOGETHER
BIGGEST PIECE OF ADVICE | practice practice practice
These three factors work together so you can create an evenly and well-lit image. Find your preferences and try tweaking different things to see what image it creates. The wonderful thing about digital photography is the ability to guess and check. The best way to learn your camera and your preferences is to practice.
There are different modes on cameras that allow you to set just one or two of these and it automates the rest. This is a great way to move your way up from shooting on Auto to shooting on Manual.
CANON EQUIPMENT FOR BEGINNER DSLR USERS
Who Needs A Reason to Sit by the Pool and Drink White Wine Spritzers
NOURISH | A part of the BECKLEY Blog I have been looking forward to curating for a while, and am exciting to start with some refreshing white wine cocktails. Good for the soul, good for letting good times roll...
I knew there was a jingle that went with this scene, it just took a full 24 hours for it to come to me
Goals for 2017 were pretty simple: learn to say "no"
because every time you say "yes" to something, you're also saying "no" to something else, like family time, personal time, exercising, whatever you need to do to live a balanced life.
Have I been successful at lightening my work load? No
But I've been good about carving out a little time for myself. This week - a whole Monday - Friday - I scheduled zero photo shoots. (I also had a minor procedure and 20 stitches in my head forcing me to avoid sunlight and people, but I did successfully schedule some time to catch up on emails, editing, and rest.)
Back to NOURISH. Lately meeting up with friends and family has done me a world of good in hearing fresh perspectives, caring about what is going on in other people's lives, and remembering that these connections are far more important in the grand scheme of things. A common denominator throughout most of these get-togethers - booze.
Here are three recipes for easy breezy beautiful cocktails - all made with slightly bubbly and sweet Moscato
is my basic showing?
SOME TIPS FOR PRODUCT PHOTOS
+ utilize your camera's focus points - try moving the highlighted dot around so you can play with the composition
+ make sure not to over-expose, especially when there are labels or small details you need to capture - always check your photos as you go
+ think about the colors and story you are creating - like these pinks and oranges pop against the blues and greens
+ for a blurred background, shoot with a low f-stop, but not so low that the product isn't all in focus - somewhere between 2.0-3.0 should do the trick
+ for styling, bring in elements that add height, texture, and depth to the image >> bar tools, multiple classes, marble serving board, bottle of wine, hand models
SHOP THE POST
Austin Recap - Can't Travel Without My Vital Proteins
Is it a photographer thing to love grey skies and gloomy weather? If you follow my Instagram, almost every photo I post was taken when it was overcast, and then I went and did the unthinkable and posted a photo that was taken in full sun at high noon. I'm actually staring at my phone and it is giving me anxiety because #instagramaesthetic
oh good it got three likes
If there were ever a place to appreciate the gifts of spring, it's Austin. I actually walked by a house with beautiful blooms and told my husband, "I don't hate pink anymore." Talk about revelations. There is something about birds chirping and flowers growing that makes me want to be outside more, go for more runs, smell the roses...
Backstory: I have been eyeing Vital Proteins basically because I want the skin of a six year old. So I asked, and I got a lot of great feedback and got some for my own. Maybe it's this vibrancy of spring, but I really do have more energy and feel like my skin looks healthier. It could also be that I'm trying to drink more water and eat healthier, but I figure that, if anything, I'm getting an extra 9+ grams of protein one to two times a day.
So far I've tried Vital Proteins in my almond milk latte, grapefruit juice, coconut water, beet juice, and ginger lemon water, and it's pretty close to tasteless if you give it a few extra minutes to thoroughly dissolve. My favorite is one packet + 1 cup of coconut water in a ball jar, shake it up, and fill the rest with ice.
With the promise of youthful skin, hair, and nails, and letting Austin inspire me to pick up my camera and take more tourist photos than I usually do, I had Andrew take some photos of me while we were strolling waiting for a table at Cafe No Sé. (We spend all our time on South Congress, always). Maybe this could be left for another post, but who am I not to kill two birds with one blog post.
I need to jump in front of the camera more often because, well there aren't ever any photos of me, but mostly because I realize how hard it is to know what to do, where to stand, what it will look like... bloggers I respect you so much!! (and bravo to Mr. Patton for having the patience for met to teach him how to use my Mark III)
FINAL THOUGHTS
If you are thinking about getting vital proteins, buy some and see how you feel. I definitely recommend it in terms of feeling like my energy levels are better (coming from someone who needs to nap at 3 every day). Pretty close to flavorless, the travel packs are really handy, and they are kosher, so wins all around
