Five Tips For The Noobie Fashion Blogger

Kudos to all you successful fashion bloggers out there that consistently get it right. There are several variables that can go wrong when shooting outfits and this grouping of pictures seemed to hit all of them at once. If you are new to blogging outfits, like me, here are five tips that I realize will help any noobie to take better pictures.

1. Placement of Arm(s) and Hands - Be careful that your arms and hands are not in unnatural positions or covering up the outfit.

Trying to look as natural as possible when so uncomfortable in front of the camera has definitely proven to be a challenge. When doing walking shots I look like a contestant in a robot dance off! Knowing where to put your arms and hands is so important because if they are in an awkward position your eyes will be drawn away from the outfit. The above bad arm placement was disappointing because I am covering up the cute Paris writing on my sweater that I wanted to show-off.

2. Props - If they don't add to the picture don't use them. 

When I grabbed the suitcase from the house I thought it would be perfect since it has a Paris theme to go with my Paris sweater. Not until we were at the train station did I notice that when the suitcase is sitting upright the picture on the suitcase is upside down! We decided to roll with it, but now I wish we would have just left it out. I am also holding sunglasses that look odd between my legs. Oops. A photo editing program could be used to erase the sunglasses out of the picture, but since I wanted you to see what I was talking about I didn't edit it.

3. Lighting - Be aware that the light is hitting the articles of clothing that you are highlighting.

Lighting can be tricky because the light that would otherwise be perfect for a regular portrait, may not work for a style picture. These over the knee socks have the cutest little bows in the back, but because the lighting is too dark you can't see them. If I could do it all over again I would have the photographer zoom in to the socks themselves so you can see the bows. Note: if you are experienced in a photo editing program such as Photoshop you could lighten up the picture that way.

4. Wrinkled Clothes - Always make sure your clothes are wrinkle free.

When we go to shoot outfits I usually try to do around three or four at a time. I steam or iron each article of clothing and hang them up meticulously so that they stay wrinkle-free until I put them on. But since I am changing in the back of my car between locations I end up with wrinkles that just drive me crazy!

5. Poses - Make sure that your poses make the outfit attractive.

Again, I was trying to show off the sweater, but failed by not adjusting my body and holding the coat differently. The poses I struggle with the most are the ones when I am holding purses. It never feels quite right or looks good to me when I am holding a purse. It is definitely something that I need to work on.

These are my guidelines that I will be checking off before another click of the camera captures an outfit for my blog. I am sure there are a lot more suggestions out there that I haven't encountered yet. What advice do you have for the noobie fashion blogger?

Sweater: Loft Outlet  Skirt: Loft Outlet  Coat: Jou Jou  Shoes: Linea Paolo (old, similar)  Suitcase Box: Michaels (only for decoration not a real suitcase)  Socks: ??? (old, similar)