Professional Tips for Staging Your Own Photo Shoot

Whether you want to show off your new outfit or just take a few like-worthy Instagram shots, staging your own photoshoot is a fun way to do it. But when your only device is a smartphone or low-end DSLR, getting that pro-finish can feel impossible.

Luckily, with a few simple tricks, it doesn’t have to be. Keep reading to learn some professional tips to help you stage your own awesome photoshoot.

Get Your Lighting Right

The right lighting can make or break a photoshoot. For instance, bright, soft lighting can give your skin a warm glow and help make your eyes pop, while bad lighting can create a washed-out look or make you look like you have bags under your eyes.

If possible, try to utilize natural light. When you’re shooting outdoors, choose a day that’s cloudy, but not too overcast. That’s because too much sun exposure can wash out your skin, but too little will leave your photos dark. Conversely, if you’re shooting indoors, choose a room with large windows. When you need to light your shoot artificially, make sure you understand what different light temperatures will do to your images.

Include Details to Create an Extra Sexy Shoot

If you’re planning on taking romantic shots as a gift for a partner or perhaps just to boost your self-confidence and help you feel beautiful in your own skin, put a little extra attention into the details. While staples can be sexy, garters and intricate lingerie will add an extra layer of excitement and drama to your shots.

Don’t Forget the Props

While you may be the focal point of your photoshoot, don’t forget props and backdrops are important, too. A messy backdrop or one that’s mundane will detract from the focal point of your photos, drawing the eye away from you and to the mess behind you.

Now, if you aren’t using a backdrop, choose a bright, clean area of your home that you can stage for your shoot. Your choice of props, including chairs or couches to sit on or decorative items to fill in empty spaces in your frame, should match the style of your photoshoot as well.

Shooting outdoors? Then go a bit bolder with your backdrop, which may include a grassy field, city skyline or stone wall covered in graffiti. Really, anything goes; just don’t forget to follow the next tip to keep from getting lost in your busy background.

Move-in for the Shot

One mistake many budding photographers make is taking photos from too far away from the action. Whether they do so in an effort to capture the entire scene in front of them or because they’re just not confident enough to move in close to their subjects, the end result is photos that are clearly taken by an amateur.

Taking just a few steps closer or zooming in to your subject makes all the difference. Try to fill as much of your shot with the subject of your photo. This means less background detracting from your subject and a more interesting image.

Mastering Your Photo Shoot

You don’t need to be a professional photographer to stage your own photoshoot. By getting the right lighting and backdrop, paying attention to the details and making sure to zoom in, you can get professional-looking photos that you’ll be proud to show off.