Word on the street is that you want to know how I shoot photos for the The Budget Socialite. And by the street, I mean facebook — because who just hangs out in the street, listening? Not this gal. Moving on, let’s learn how to take good photos for our websites! Weeee…..
Full Disclosure: I am in no way a professional photographer, this is just what I do and what I’ve learned about how to take good photos. I mostly shoot food so this is geared towards food photography, but I have also shot a few products the same way. Feel free to leave more tips and tricks in the comments or tell me I have it all wrong. It happens.
Step 1: Get Suited up
Here’s the equipment that I use. I know plenty of people that set up their iPhones on a tripod and get great results. There are no rules to this game.
Equipment:
- Camera – Canon EOS Rebel T3
- Lens – 18-55mm IS II (This came with the camera)
- Lens – Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 (Only $100) – I use this 85% of the time
- Tripod – Manfrotto 190XPROB w/ the Manfrotto 496RC2 Ball Head
- MacBook Pro – I connect my camera to my laptop while I shoot.
- A few painted wooden boards as shooting surfaces. I loosely followed this tutorial. I have boards in white, teal, a natural stain, a medium stain and a dark stain.
- A Reflector – I use a piece of white foam core that I picked up at Michael’s
- Fabric – I hit up the fabric store and bought a bunch of pieces on clearance.
- Props – Since I mostly shoot food, I have plates, serving dishes, place mats etc… that I got from thrift stores and random places on my travels.