Blogging is a niche industry that I am thankful to have fallen into, mostly by accident. Photographing bloggers and local brands, that is. It’s the creating, but it’s also the connecting that I’m so thankful I get to do day in, and day out.
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
When Should You Hire a Photographer for Your Blog?
When should you hire a photographer for your blog?
L I F E . S T Y L E D .
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
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 moreNapa Wedding, Celia & Gabe
I've searched for signs my whole life until a couple years ago - but only today realized I had stopped. The reason I stopped is because I didn't need them anymore.
Read moreHow 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
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 Do You Define Adventure?
Wanderlust hits us like a wave more frequently than we are able to do anything about it. I imagine hotel rooms with fluffy white sheets, camel rides through the Sahara, or Icelandic hikes ending in styled editorials.
Read moreSwoon Event Recap - Beautiful Wedding Vendors and A Stubborn Eight-Foot Table
-THIS STORY HAS A HAPPY ENDING-
The Swoon Event is a well-crafted wedding vendor event bringing a select group of creatives together in a wedding venue to rock what they got for soon-to-be-brides
Read moreJon & Sam Downtown Dallas Engagement Shoot
Romance is an adventure. The initial attraction to falling deeply in love; getting to know someone better than you know yourself and learning from each other to help each other grow. For this couple whose "hearts are in Dallas" we wanted a location that complemented the serenity and deep love for each other, while offering a vibrant and dynamic backdrop that set the tone for capturing Jon and Sam's passion and playfulness when they are together.
“When picking out this couples outfit for the engagement shoot, I knew I wanted to capture the simplicity of their love while highlighting their passions for one another. Starting with this dreamy wrap dress from Planet Blue with added accessories from Lion and Witch. To compliment her airy look, I decided to dress Jon in a blue suit from Suit Supply and then paired it with suspenders and a light pink tie. This look was completed not by just my styling and Rebecca’s photos, but how their love for each other makes you feel.
Words I keep thinking of when seeing these photos- Airy Romance, Passion, Sexy, Cool ”
THE MEETUP || GO!FORTH
A single white linen-covered table runs directly through the center of a local Dallas boutique, clothing racks surrounding the perimeter of the store, and fresh flowers, girly wine, boxed waters, and succulents heavily dot the room. Girls are welcomed in, promptly, about 2 minutes to show time because fashionably early is the new trend and everyone is eager to get started.
Starting with a welcome toast and an outline of the evening, Ashley at The Teach Diva, hosted by The Meetup at Lion & Witch sat down to start sharing her blogging wisdom with the class. Blogging, as most know, has evolved into equal parts art form and personal business for many women in particular. Equipped with a folder full of note paper, an outline of the evening, useful tools and tips, and wine, snacks, and water, the eager bloggers, stylists, graphic designers, self-starters, and the like, introduced themselves and then eagerly listened and took notes on the invaluable information shared with them by Ashley.
high-resolution un-watermarked photos may be purchased here
STYLED SHOOT | HIGHLAND PARK
BECKLEY Photography (formerly BECKLEY & Co.) (yes we are still a team) (yes we still offer our styling services) (yes we hate that "& Co." wasn't accepted by the state's office as an official business title) (and yes we are still nursing our wounds)
... had the wonderful opportunity to work with Dan Sauer photography last weekend on a magical styled shoot. Dan is a photographer friend of mine from Los Angeles and coordinated this entire shoot in no time at all - which is a testament both to how amazing he is and also how phenomenal Dallas is. (In case you missed it, I think very highly of the Dallas creative community. See: Every post ever on the BECKLEY blog)
This was an exciting opportunity for the BECKLEY Photography team because our lovely Elizabeth did the hair and makeup for the "bride" and our brand new stylist Alex worked flawlessly on-set styling the models to perfection. Big win for team BECKLEY!
PHOTOS | DAN SAUER PHOTOGRAPHY
Let me list these fantastic vendors because they are forever my favorite people:
Photography | Dan Sauer Photography | @dan.sauer
Set Design | Melanie & Co. | @melanieannewing
Florist-tables | Platinum Petals Floral | @platinumpetalsfloral
Florist-crown/bouquet | Leeny's Flowers | @leenys_flowers
Model Stylist: | That's us! | @beckleyco
Dress | Circle Park Bridal | @circleparkbridal
Vintage rentals | Gold Dust Vintage | @golddustvintagerentals
Baker | @brigid.mcmahan
Calligraphy | Kimi Nam | @kimi.nam
Models | @claireballor & @james.voelker
** COMING SOON | BEHIND-THE-SCENES PHOTOS FROM A BEAUTIFUL HIGHLAND PARK STYLED WEDDING SHOOT **
YOU ARE EXACTLY WHERE YOU NEED TO BE
A rush of wanderlust, a yearning for change, a need for excitement. Friday afternoon hits and more often than not I just want to GO ANYWHERE - especially somewhere photogenic. I actually googled today "How to move to Berlin". (Why Berlin, who knows)
I saw these words a couple weeks ago and they really spoke to me.
Sometimes I can get impatient and just want everything to happen all at once. We have a lot of exciting ideas and collaborations in the works for BECKLEY & Co., but these words are so comforting. Not to be confused with contentment, but I think it's important to remember to be fully present in each moment and in life. Take in all that is around you, all you have been given, and all the opportunity that lays ahead. God has a plan, and that is something I often forget.
Happy Friday from the BECKLEY & Co. Team!
HOW TO: MONDAY
Part One of BECKLEY HOW TO
We will be sharing tips on taking photos with an iPhone and with a DSLR, how to edit photos on the computer and on your phone, lighting and composition tips, and a lot more. But on this Monday morning we thought we'd start slow and just share all our coffee photos from the past year or so.
Bon Java and Happy Monday
TAYLOR + SCOTT | DALLAS ARBORETUM
Sunshine and blue skies are what Taylor and Scott had hoped for during their engagement session at the Dallas Arboretum, but instead they were met with overcast, gloomy autumn weather. There is nothing better, though, as a photographer, than assuring clients that this crummy and dreary atmosphere creates the most beautiful lighting. Their faces lit up (and that's all the sunshine I needed - the cheese ends there I promise).
We had a wonderful day wandering the grounds, battling only a few hoards of children while in the pumpkin patch. The Arboretum offers so many beautiful backdrops - if anyone in Dallas hasn't been or is contemplating a membership, I think it's such a wonderful retreat so close to a large city, it's always worth it to go - and take lots of photos!
CITY STREETS
You know that cool new place you find that everyone has known about for years but it's new and exciting to you? THE JOULE. An absolute new favorite spot for coffee, food, drinks, work, play, occasional celeb sighting.
Last week I met up with Kathryn of Wrapped in Rouge at the sleek hotel, got my third caffeine fix for the morning at Weekend, chatted with every barista and lobby manager in sight, and got some really fun shots inside and outside of the hotel that I have been really excited about.
I love shooting with style bloggers because they are like living, breathing, Pinterest boards (or simply, style inspiration) that make me remember that there is more out there than black jeans and grey sweaters.
See her post here where she describes her outfit details better and more eloquently than I ever could.
Amanda of Glitter and Spice | Getting the Shot
Working with Amanda is like a breath of fresh air. At our last photo shoot in Deep Ellum I arrived in less-than-a-cheery mood because traffic and school children wandering the streets, and the whole no parking spots thing. It just wasn't pretty. So when I arrived she gets out of her car, sees me, hops back in, and hands me a purple and black glittery wand. What could change my mood faster than a wand?
I love Amanda's classy style that never bores. We brought on a lot of attention while dodging traffic to get these photos.
Worth it.