Ask Emma: How do you balance everyday life with taking photos?

For my first ever “Ask Emma” post, I’m answering the question: How do you balance everyday life with taking photos?

I’m excited to answer this question because taking and creating enough photos was a real challenge I experienced for the first two years of blogging.

When I started a blog senior of college, I remember looking at the big bloggers out there and wondering how they managed to post new outfits every single day. At that point in my life, I was going to school, working part time, and applying to jobs to secure a job after graduation. I didn’t have the time to take photos every single day or the income to pay for a photographer to take my photo every day. I especially didn’t understand how bloggers were creating new and publishing new content on a daily basis.

Fast forward almost four years later – I’m now working full time (I’m a project manager for the Boeing Company), I’m in class twice a week for grad school, and I’ve continued to elevate my blog. Even with a busy schedule, I’m posting once a day on Instagram and publishing two blog posts a week. So how do I take enough photos when I’m actually spending most of the day inside in conference rooms and running meetings?

Who is this blog post for?: All the boss ladies out there balancing blogging with school, full time jobs, and even motherhood.

Here’s how I balance everyday life with taking photos for my blog and Instagram:

#1 I shoot 3-5 outfits at a time

I revealed this fact on my Blogging Secrets blog post last year. Typically I shoot with my photographers at least twice a month. I’m usually shooting on a Saturday or Sunday because my work and school week schedule is usually pretty packed. I’m able to balance everyday life with taking photos for my blog and Instagram because I always shoot 3-5 outfits at a time.

Advice: I would recommend starting to shoot one outfit at one time if you’re just starting out (6 months and below). If you’re already taking photos for your blog and instagram on a monthly basis, try taking two outfit photos in an hour! You’ll get faster and better at posing with practice. It used to take me an hour to shoot an outfit. But with practice, I now shoot 4 outfits in one hour because I know my angles and how I want to frame the shot.

#2 Buy a white fur rug or a marble background for flat lays

At this point, I feel like every blogger has a white fur rug or a marble background to shoot flat lays. One way I can take photos even with a busy schedule is I have a white fur rug for my flat lays. I bought this off Amazon and have used it over and over again on my feed!

Advice: Don’t overuse the white fur rug or marble background. Yes it’s such a great thing to have for flat lays but I think it’s been successful for me and my feed because I incorporate it into my feed verses solely relying on it.

#3 Don’t be afraid to use old content

Did you know all those big bloggers you follow are actually incorporating older content into their feeds? This is something I’ve learned and embraced for my personal feed. I feel like there’s this fear that people will recognize the photo from one year ago. But the truth is we probably see 100+ photos a day and honestly, people won’t remember that photo you posted from a year ago.

Advice: Instead of taking new photos over and over again, don’t be afraid use old photos from blog posts or even Instagram photos that worked well in the past. You’ve already taken those photos so why not use them if they fit with your feed?

Can you spot the two old photos I recently posted on my feed?! Comment which photo you think it is on my feed and I’ll feature you on my #followfriday round up this week!

#4 Find a friend (or sibling) to take your outfit photo on the weekend

Another way I balance taking photos even with a busy life is I take advantage of the weekends and whoever is around me. Recently, my family wanted to see the cherry blossoms at UW. I knew it was going to be crazy busy but I also knew it was going to be an insta-worthy photo. So I dressed cute, hung out with my family, and my sister take a photo of me before we left.

Advice: Even if you’re heading to brunch or the farmers market, don’t be afraid to ask your sister or your friend to snap a cute picture of you! At this point my friends and family understand that I take lots of photos lol.

#5 Set up your tri-pod and take your own photos

Okay setting up your tripod and taking your own photos on self-timer may feel funny at first, but I promise you’ll feel less weird with practice! Honestly, some of my self-timer photos have done just as well as my professionally shot photos. If I don’t have a photo shoot on the weekends but still want outfit pictures, I set up my tripod in my apartment and take my own photos!

#6 Mix in shoes, flowers, and other products

One way I like to mix up and ensure I have enough content for my Instagram is I incorporate shoes and flowers into my feed. I have an incredible amount of shoes… I honestly probably have too many pairs but I love shoes so you see lots of shoes on my feed. All the close up shoe photos you see are taken by me.

If there’s something you specifically love or wear all the time – like perfume or jewelry, you can take those photos of those items with your white fur rug or marble background. You don’t always have to post outfit photos (if you’re a fashion blogger). You can mix it up with your favorite things!

If you’re looking for more photography + blogging tips, you can also read:

How You Can Take Photos for Your Blog-With & Without a Photographer

3 Things That Took My Blog to the Next Level

How I keep my blog going with a Full Time Job & Grad School

What are your tips for taking photos for your blog on Instagram?

Thank you to SeaVees for my latest pair of sneakers! I love how versatile these casual sneakers are and I’m excited to take them with me on all my trips this spring!

If you have any questions for the “Ask Emma” series, please either comment below or email me at emmasedition@emmasedition.com! I’ll do my best to answer any fashion, career, blogging, or life related questions!

Thank you for reading!

Love,

Emma

Photos: Holly Phan