With Corona Virus as strong as ever, many photographers still aren't open for business. Unemployment rates are high and some people just can't afford to book a professional photo session. I've been self shooting for a super long time now (over a decade) and thought I'd post about making your own in home/outdoor photo shoot set up. Whether it's for no occasion at all, a graduation, birthday, etc you can easily take your own family photos. Even solo shoots as well with use of a tripod. Don't have "professional" equipment? I've learned to improvise with my photography as a teenager... I'll get you through this using regular home items. <3 I've had photographs published in 944 Magazine off of a point and shoot. It is NEVER about equipment! Here's a list of different items, all around the house that can help get your in home photo/outdoor session(s) going. <3
(Here's a pic from my old home studio)
For Backdrops:
Solid colored walls work- any color... yes, even textured walls can work. Wallpapered walls, patterned walls... Windows also make good backdrops. (use tacks to hang up your backdrop which can be found at many dollar stores) I have used poster boards for shooting tighter beauty head shots. (you can also find at many dollar stores in an array of colors) Stylized rooms/settings for example, a styled bed with pillows, interesting chairs, accent chairs, stools. Be a lil more daring and have a shoot in your bathtub... get creative and drop some colorful bath bombs in the tub... use colorful makeup, flowers floating in the tub, tealights... get creative with it! <3 :D <3 Please do be careful with electronics (lights) around water. SAFETY FIRST! <3
Large sheets, scarves, curtains, fabrics, faux fur textured throws and blankets... I've even used a shower curtain as a backdrop before. :P Here's a cool lil tip... if you have a transparent shower curtain, you can back light your curtain (I like to use colored lights for this) and have a nice colorful glowing light behind the subject you are shooting. You can do that with any sheer fabrics and curtains as well. Is your fabric wrinkled? A steamer or iron can fix that! :D
Go outside- perhaps you have a large, lovely yard or patio you can shoot as your background. Balconies can even work... large trees as backdrops... maybe a yard swing or a pool... perhaps you have a beautiful blooming garden that you can use as a backdrop... florals are always beautiful to work with. Barns, farms, a local art mural, park, lake, beach... (ONLY WHEN SAFE IF YOUR CITY DOES NOT HAVE RESTRICTIONS)
Concept Shoots / Props:
Concepts are endless.... perhaps you have one in mind already or need a lil help with that... I GOT YOU!! <3 Don't have a camera? Most phones have a timer option when you take photos. Just set it on a timer, set your phone on a shelf, bookcase, desk... basically anything you can balance it on if you don't have a phone tripod. Make sure to frame your photos correctly when you do it this way. You'll be able to see what it looks like as you position it. :D Here's an article to help you a lil more with that HERE.
Color Schemes- any color scheme you can think of... for ideas on complimentary color pairings take a looksie HERE.
Mommy and Me, Daddy and Me, Dogs and Me, Family Shots
Beauty Shots- Tighter head shots revolving around makeup, hair, and even jewelry.
Maternity Shots
Couple shots, Engagement shots for announcements, Graduation shots, Party shots, Gender Reveal shots, Birthday shots (cake smash theme)... you can have sooo much fun with these concepts using regular/cheap (some items can be found from the dollar store) such as: Colored balloons, confetti, party banners, draping party lights, shaped lanterns (example: star lanterns, large domed lights, masks)
Holiday Themed Shots: Christmas, Halloween, Easter, St. Patricks Day, Thanksgiving, Fourth of July, etc.
Outdoor/Indoor Picnic Theme- There's a wonderful company that I love that only does picnic setups.... check them out for some FAB picnic setup ideas HERE.
Tea Party Themes- Works for both children and adults! <3
Favorite Cartoon or Movie Character Themes
Cosplay Themes
Fantasy/Fairy Themes
Ballerina Theme
Need some prop ideas? You got it!!! You can use anything you can think of:
Flowers, fashion accessories, bags/purses, parasols, hand fans, floral crowns... you can get a hula hoop and cover it in flowers so it looks like a floral hoop that you can hang and pretend to sit in... there are endless online printables for photo booth style props online. You can use smoke bombs (outdoors only), bubbles, glitter, balloons and party decorations, inflatables, costumes, mirrors. Pinterest is a great source for referencing ideas for your shoot(s).
For lighting, general lamps and natural lighting always work. Just make sure you have enough light or your photos can come out pixelated and grainy. :D Too bright and the photos can come out blown out. Make sure to look at your photos as you shoot so you can adjust anything needed. <3
For a FREE photo editing program, I used Photoscape until I could get Photoshop... Photoscape can do anything from crop your photos, add filters, blur skin, etc. Download it for FREE HERE! <3
Need a lil assistance with shooting? Feel free to reach out with any questions. <3
XOXO
Stay Safe
((( <3 <3 <3 )))
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