3 Super Easy Tips For Taking Great Pictures

I’ve been taking pictures for a long enough time now that I’m due to share some photography secrets. And though I’m not an official photographer – unless that class I took in high school counts as credit – I’ve learned a few things over the years.

It’s all about the three Ls.

Location, location, LOCATION. Where you take the pictures makes a huge difference! I prefer a simple, plain background for my outfit shots. I want my outfit to be the center of attention…not a busy background. Some of my favorite places to take pictures are in industrial lots. This drives my husband crazy – he keeps saying I’m going to get attacked by some creep. Luckily, I have a background in self-defense. Nothing says “back off” like a high heel to the eyeball. Forest preserves, sides of interesting-looking buildings, and roof tops make great backgrounds, too!

Natural LIGHT is a must!! Having the proper lighting for taking pictures can be tricky. I most always use natural light for outfit pictures. And if I do have to take pictures inside, I try to let in as much light from the sun as possible. When you do take pictures outside, you have to keep the location of the sun in mind/the time of the day. In these pictures, the sun is behind me. If I was facing the sun, the pictures would be too bright. If you are able to schedule photo shoots outdoors, the Golden Hour is the time to do it!

ANGLE. One of the last tips for getting great pictures is shooting at the right angle. (I know…the ‘L’ isn’t at the beginning of the word.) And after years of taking outfit pictures, I still practice this. A lot. In order to take great pictures, you need to know which side of your body looks best in photographs. I tend to have my left side facing the camera more than my right. Subtle things like leg positioning, pulling shoulders back, dropping the chin…and a bit of a smile can really go a long way. It takes practice, but if you don’t know how to pose, then having the right location or lighting won’t make a difference. Another angle to keep in mind is the angle of the camera. I find it most flattering for the camera to be waist-level with it’s subject, but I try to experiment with different positionings too.

Of course there are endless things to keep in mind while taking pictures, but if you’re looking to enhance your photography skills, be sure to keep the three Ls in mind!

Linked with WIWW and Mix and Match Fashion.