allow me to begin this post by saying this: you do not have to be in business to have a photography blog. repeat after me: “i do not have to be in business to have a photography blog.” okay, so now that we have cleared that up, let me tell you why you should have one. every photographer, whether hobbyist or professional, should have a dedicated place to share their passion with photography. whether that is through social media or through a blog, it’s important that photographers put their images somewhere. i find it sad that there are so many photographs taken that just sit in the dark, unappreciated. share your images! let others enjoy your talent and see your passion for photography. starting a photography blog is super simple and something i hope you do for your photography. plus, there is really no right or wrong way to have a blog because, it’s yours!
once you get blogging, you will have a lot of fun. here are 6 things to remember when blogging to get you started.
Starting A Photography Blog : 6 Steps To Creating A Blog
.jpg "Starting A Photography Blog : 6 Steps To Creating A Blog | Bethadilly Photography")
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Step 1. Educate Yourself
there is something to be said for taking a little moment to learn before diving into something. while you will learn a lot in the act of blogging itself, give yourself a jump start and learn a little about blogging before you start your blog. i really enjoyed reading problogger: secrets for blogging your way to a six-figure income, and found it to have a lot of takeaway. even if you aren’t wanting to make blogging a carrier, i think this book is still worth a read as it may help you to understand blogging a little better. while i discovered this book after i started my blog, it helped me realize what things i was doing right with my blog, and what i wasn’t.
Step 2. Choose A Site and Template
once you have read problogger and are thoroughly excited to start a blog, now it is time to choose a content management system and a place to host your blog. for a content management system, i use wordpress and definitely recommend it. it is very user friendly and you can find many blog templates through prophoto to get you started. choosing a site to host your blog and then choosing a template to begin your designing your blog is really exciting, and you are on your way to blogging! plus designing your site is a fun way to show your personal style.
Step 3. Buy BlogStomp
the purpose of starting a photography blog is to showcase your photography. you will need a way to quickly size your images for your blog so that they load fast for your readers. trust me, if your images aren’t sized for your blog and are too big, they will take forever and a day to load and your readers will be super frustrated, causing them to exit your blog. do yourself a favor, buy blogstomp. listen to me when i say, it’s the best thing i have purchased for my blog by far. this software is amazing and so very user friendly, every blogger should have it.
for a tutorial on how to use blogstomp, be sure to read how to create photo collages for your blog.
Step 4. Write!
alright, you have your blog set up and a way to add photos correctly, so now it’s easy…write! i think it’s nice to write a first post about yourself and why you are starting a photography blog. maybe you will then write tutorials or, if that isn’t your thing, you start posting pictures that you take and write about your experiences. your blog is yours! there are really no rules to blogging, just be you and be authentic. with that in mind, be mindful that you are always representing yourself in the best way you can so that your blog becomes a fun place for your audience to visit.
need help thinking of blog topics? here are 100 photography blog post ideas to get you started.
Step 5. Make A Blog Jar
every blogger should have a blog jar. blog jars are so encouraging to have and really help you on days when you feel uninspired to blog. which, trust me, will happen. it’s only natural. having a place to turn to for inspiration will be very beneficial both for you and for your blog.
Step 6. Promote Your Blog Posts Somewhere
this is really important. once you write a blog post, be sure you take the time to promote it somewhere so others know about it! you don’t write a blog post to have it sit unread, so be sure to share it with others. i like sharing links to my blog posts on Facebook, instagram, and pinterest.
and there you go, 6 easy steps to starting a photography blog. blogging does take a little time and effort but, as you grow as a blogger, you will become more natural with it. and there is something so encouraging about sharing your photography on your own blog. think of your blog as your own little piece of the internet, a place for you to share everything about you (within reason) and your photography. remember to have fun with blogging and share your personality through your posts. there is nothing better than reading a blog that has a clear voice.
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.jpg "Starting A Photography Blog : 6 Steps To Creating A Blog | Bethadilly Photography")
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it’s funny how one of the things i use most with my photography isn’t necessarily a camera or lens, by an iPad. after investing in my iPad a couple years ago, i often wondered how i ever did photography without one. i find that i turn to it to do a variety of things and, when i am on the go, it is the practical device to grab. while i don’t take pictures with my iPad (i actually really find it annoying when people hold up iPads like cameras), i find that my iPad is great for my photography in a variety of supporting ways. if you are contemplating whether getting an iPad is worthwhile or not, check out the few ways my iPad supports my photography.
looking to invest in some new gear? check out my photography gear, for a little inspiration.
iPads + Photography : Why iPads Support Your Photography
.jpg "iPads + Photography : Why iPads Support Your Photography | Bethadilly Photography")
Great For Photography Education
because photography courses usually include video tutorials and editing videos, i find that i turn to my iPad a lot when it’s time to take a photography course. rather than sit at my desk, i like to get comfortable while i learn and my iPad allows me to do that. having an iPad also makes my education more accessible, as i can bring a tutorial with me on location to reference while i am shooting, whether it be trying to get a great sunburst or experimenting with free lensing.
Can Help Ease Clients During Sessions
there are times when i use iPads during sessions, and times when i don’t. honestly, it depends on the client. i love keeping my pinterest page available on my iPad for reference for my clients, if needed. let me clarify here, i only show them my own work on pinterest because, well…why would i show them other photographer’s work? here’s how this works for me. sometimes clients, mostly dads, get super nervous about being in front of the camera. they feel awkward and don’t know what to do. if my exact direction isn’t helping, i find that pulling out my iPad and showing them, “see, THIS is what we are going for,” helps immensely! some clients are more visual and need to SEE what your vision is. some clients need to SEE how i want them to hold their wife close, or SEE how i want them to position their baby in their arms. sometimes visuals are the best tool and, once they get the idea of what we are going for, we can modify it to look natural for them.
A Touch of Professionalism
iPads are a great way for you to demonstrate things to your clients, with a dose of professionalism. at the end of your session, pull out your iPad and show them where they can find your photography Facebook page where you will be sharing a sneak peek for them. most clients have seen your website upon hiring you, but remind them of your website where you will share their family feature once their images are edited. while i don’t do this regularly with my clients, it is something that i try to do more and more to transition the end of the session into final questions before we depart.
iPads are a wonderful tool for photographers to use, whether it is using them to encourage their education or to be a visual aid during client sessions. i am not one to buy a lot of gear and tools, but i do think that iPads are a wonderful investment for photographers. i even find that keeping up and maintaining social media accounts is another great use for the iPad. if you are thinking of investing in an iPad, do it! they are worth the purchase.
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over time, photographers develop good habits when they pick up their camera. by either learning how to shoot in manual mode or by learning how to achieve good focus, photographers are continuing to build their skill with each and every photo they take. but sometimes, being successful with photography is more about what you do before you take the picture. i have made a habit out of doing a few things before i actually snap the photo that has made me a better photographer. the next time you pick up your camera, try and remember these 4 things to do before you take a picture.
getting ready to head somewhere with your camera? here are 10 things to pack in your camera bag.
4 Things To Do Before You Take A Picture
.jpg "4 Things To Do Before You Take A Picture | Bethadilly Photography")
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1. Turn Off Any Artificial Light
if the situation allows you to, turn off any artificial light before you take a picture. natural light is so much better and creates a more natural photo. sometimes you will be in a situation where you can’t control the light, whether you are on an outing to a museum or if you are photographing at night. for those times, artificial light is your only option. but for the times when you can use natural light, be sure to turn off any other lights. even if you are taking photos in a bedroom, turning off the lights in the hallway or adjacent rooms is very important as artificial light seems to trickle into any image and cast unnatural colors onto your photo.
2. Check Your ISO
this is more for avoiding a mistake than anything else. have you ever taken a wonderful picture in broad daylight that you are absolutely in love with, only to realize your ISO was set to 3200? ugh! don’t get me wrong, high ISO’s are just fine…just not necessary for broad daylight. for me, i am always grabbing my camera real quick to photograph a moment and not realizing that my ISO was still set from the last time i took a picture. making a habit out of checking your ISO before you take a picture will help you avoid photographing moments with an ISO that isn’t appropriate for the lighting situation.
3. Think About Your Composition
before actually taking the photo with your camera, think about what composition will be best. is a center composition best or should you try enforcing the rule of thirds? are there leading lines available? is there any opportunity to create depth? are their any distractions that will be within the frame and, therefore, compete with your subject? thinking through your composition will help you look for inspiration in your surroundings so you can take a really successful picture.
how are you doing with composition? here are 8 photography compositions you should be using.
4. Decide What Aperture Tells Your Story the Best
your aperture is what is going to tell your story. should your entire photo be in focus or do you want to have some blur in the background and foreground? do you need your background to be in focus to tell your story or would it be better to keep the focus on your subject? you can control these things by choosing the best aperture for the story you are trying to tell. using higher apertures like f/8 will ensure that your entire photo is in focus, while lower apertures like f/2.8 will allow you to place your focus on your subject and blur anything that isn’t in that focal plane.
there are a lot of things to do before you take a picture, but i find that these 4 are what i do on a regular basis. by knowing the things to do before you take a picture, you are making the most out of the photograph and your experience.
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.jpg "4 Things To Do Before You Take A Picture | Bethadilly Photography")
photographing is such a powerful thing because it can portray so much emotion, without words or sound. with one photograph we can make someone feel happy, angry, scared, sad, joyful…the list is endless. as photographers we create emotion through our photographs. of all the emotions that a photograph can hold, love is one that is always so rich. the art of photographing love is both simple and complex. it’s simple to think of what love means to us, but sometimes showing that in a photograph is difficult. as you think about photographing love, think about how you can portray emotion. here are 5 ways i portray emotion, to get you started.
don’t forget the power of depth as you are photographing and keep the importance of creating depth in photographs in mind.
Photographing Love : 5 Ways To Portray Emotion
.jpg "Photographing Love : 5 Ways To Portray Emotion | Bethadilly Photography")
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1. Think of Your Honest Moments
when i think about love, i think about honesty. there is nothing more honest than love. when i think about some of the most honest moments i have with my daughter, it’s during the time when it is just me and her. no cell phones, no distractions. at least once a day, we cuddle up together nose to nose and just lay there. she babbles and i kiss her cheeks. i talk and sing to her, she lovingly pulls my hair and grabs my nose. those moments are honest and all about love. when you think about photographing love, make a list of your honest moments and use that as your inspiration. focus on photographing moments, not portraits.
.jpg "Photographing Love : 5 Ways To Portray Emotion | Bethadilly Photography")
2. Love Is In The Details
sometimes it isn’t the subjects, but the details of a photograph that contain the most love. in the photo above, i love how she is holding onto my hand. it’s a simple gesture but it holds so much emotion. as you pick up your camera with the goal of photographing love, don’t forget the little details. love doesn’t have to mean photographing faces, it can be in the simple gestures that the emotion is most powerful.
.jpg "Photographing Love : 5 Ways To Portray Emotion | Bethadilly Photography")
3. Focus on Reactions
how someone reacts to something is so honest and true. reactions happen in a split second, so you have to be ready to photograph it. whether someone is reacting to a whispered secret, a kiss on the cheek, or the sound of baby laughter as they tickle their little one, be sure focus on how the person is reacting just as much as you are focusing on what they are reacting to. photographing love is easy when you give prompts such as “kiss your child” or “whisper in your wife’s ear.” but remember, it’s not the prompt you want to photograph, but the reaction is creates.
.jpg "Photographing Love : 5 Ways To Portray Emotion | Bethadilly Photography")
4. Love Doesn’t Have To Be A Person, It Can Be An Action
photographing love doesn’t have to mean photographing a person, it can be an act of love. think of the ways in which you show love to another person. it could mean writing a handwritten note, sending flowers, packing a lunch, or bringing one a cup of coffee in bed. photographing love can mean tickling baby toes as you feed your little one or making someone their favorite cookies. remember that photographing love doesn’t necessarily mean your photograph has to contain a human subject, it can contain an action or a gesture that shows love. gestures of love can change over time, so be sure to take the opportunity to photograph what loves means to you today. while 5 years ago love looks like a bouquet of flowers from my hubby, today it looks like getting up early with the baby so i can sleep or making me dinner after a long day. we all view love differently and it beautifully changes with life.
.jpg "Photographing Love : 5 Ways To Portray Emotion | Bethadilly Photography")
5. Encourage Interaction And Touch
photographing love comes naturally when your subjects touch in some way. whether it is a husband wrapping his arm around his wife, siblings holding hands, or a baby reaching up to hold her mamas face, there is so much love held in that touch. gently prompt your subjects to interact with one another in a way that includes touch like holding hands, giving eskimo kisses, or cuddling close. close interactions encourage honest emotion and relaxation.
.jpg "Photographing Love : 5 Ways To Portray Emotion | Bethadilly Photography")
the photos in this post were achieved using : nikon d750, sigma art 24mm f/1.4 lens, tripod and a wireless remote.
photographing love can be done in a variety of ways, with a variety of subjects. again, it’s important to note that photographing love doesn’t have to include a person, but an act of love. as you go about your everyday, look for things that symbolize love. look for ways that you or others show love. keep note of these gestures, big or small, and make plans to photograph those moments that you really want to cherish.
be sure to join my exclusive email list to receive my latest photography tips and tutorials. it’s free!
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.jpg "Photographing Love : 5 Ways To Portray Emotion | Bethadilly Photography")
at one point or another, every photographer goes through a spell where they are uninspired with their photography. sometimes it can be because you are simply uninspired, but other times it can be because we are photographing for others instead of for ourselves. when we photograph for others, our goal is to satisfy someone else instead of ourselves. whether it is a photography client who hired us for our services, or a wider audience, sometimes the pressure to photograph for others ruins our passion for photography. here are 5 signs you’re photographing for others and not yourself.
it’s time for you to put you and your photography first. check out what 10 photography resolutions you should be making.
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5 Signs You’re Photographing For Others and Not Yourself
.jpg "5 Signs You're Photographing For Others and Not Yourself | Bethadilly Photography")
1. You Photograph For “Likes”
if you only pick up your camera to take a photo because “it will get a lot of likes” on social media, you are photographing for others instead of for yourself. while taking relatable photos is not always a bad thing, be sure that the photo you are taking is still representing you as a photographer and what you want to be known for. photographing for others will quickly burn you out, leaving you only taking pictures to gain a reaction instead of taking pictures because you truly want to.
2. You Photograph Because You Are Asked To, Not Want To
one thing people don’t understand about photographers is that…we don’t always want to photograph. just because we like to take pictures, doesn’t mean we want to do it all of the time. we like to pick up our camera when we are inspired or when something catches our eye, but not necessarily when others ask us to. if you feel like you are photographing only because people ask you to, you may be photographing more for others and not for yourself.
3. You Change Your Photography Style To Please Others
if you feel like you take on photography styles just to please a client or to keep up with what’s trending, you are photographing for others and not for yourself. this can be one of the worst things you can do for your photography because it will not only lead you to become burnt out with your photography, but you will also have a portfolio full of images that don’t relate to one another. in turn, you will keep getting hired to take pictures you don’t want to take because you are showing others that you are embracing any photography style.
having a photography style that truly represents you and your passion for photography is one of the most important and successful things you can do for both your photography and for yourself. if you need help finding and developing your own unique photography style, be sure to check out the styled photographer: a guide to finding your unique photography style.
4. You Photograph Only To Get Paid
while getting paid for your photography is definitely a perk, it’s important that you remain passionate about photography. if you feel like you only pick up your camera to get a paycheck and don’t enjoy the actual act of photographing, you may be photographing for others and not for yourself. photographers who are in business should still maintain a passion for photography. if you aren’t feeling passionate about your photography business, it may be time to determine if the type of photography you are offering is what you are truly passionate about. it’s always okay to change it up, especially if it is to enhance your passion.
5. You Photograph To Reduce Your Guilt
as parents, we feel a sense of guilt when we don’t photograph each and every milestone our children accomplishes. if you feel like you are picking up your camera only because “you’ll regret it if you don’t,” you may not be photographing purely for yourself. find a way to make photographing your children fun! maybe this means picking and choosing what milestones you really want to photograph and finding other ways to remember the others. write down ways that photographing your children can be fun and get creative with your photos. think about what photos will truly make you happy and take them.
photographing for others is not always a bad thing, but if we find that we are photographing for others most of the time, we are putting ourselves and our passion for photography on the back burner. this only leads us to become burnt out and resentful towards our photography. by taking the time to determine what type of photography we truly love and politely say no to the rest, we are investing in ourselves and our passion. and photographers who are passionate take much better pictures than photographers who pick up their cameras for the wrong reason.
be sure to join my exclusive email list to receive my latest photography tips and tutorials. it’s free!
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Why Photographers Should Embrace Friendship, Not Competition » bethadilly - […] help starting a photography blog? here are 6 steps to creating a blog to get you […]
Caroline Collins - What sites do you recommend for hosting a blog? I was told not to use Blogger.
{beth} a-dilly - I really like WordPress. 🙂
Caroline Collins - I didn’t know they hosted too. Thanks.
{beth} a-dilly - oh, i may have misread your question. i use GoDaddy to host.
Tiffany I - Do you have any additional books or other resources that you would recommend reading besides the one stated?
{beth} a-dilly - I don’t, this is the only blogging book I read. 🙂
Brianna Kline - I have a question about the blogstomp. They have multiple packages that you can buy, which one do you suggest for a beginner? I dont think I need anything super fancy. Thanks
{beth} a-dilly - Hey Brianna! I would recommend just Blogstomp individually, I don’t use AlbumStomp. Hope this helps!