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1. Tripod: having a good tripod is so important when it comes to taking your own pictures. This one is Amazon recommended, has two height settings and it's at the perfect price point! The color is pretty also which doesn't hurt. ;)
2. Diffuser and Reflector Kit: these are hands down one of the best (if not the best) purchase I've made when it comes to blog photography! Using a diffuser is perfect for when you have too much natural sunlight, therefore giving you a ton of shadows. I hate when I'm taking a flat lay image and there's more shadows than white space! Using a diffuser helps soften the natural light that's being reflected onto your image. The reflector is key for adding more light when you don't have enough - so for example on a cloudy/rainy day or when you're not shooting outside. This kit is the answer to perfect photo lighting, all for $17!
3. Camera Ring Light: I talked a bit about this in my girl boss gift guide but it has been a LIFE saver! I've been using this nonstop and for under $30, you should already have it in your cart! It's the perfect portable ring light; it's easy to set up/use and it's been a huge help with lighting.
4. Dual USB Stick: if your camera doesn't have wifi, this is a definite must have; but even if it does you'll still find this gadget helpful! One side fits into Apple products (iPhone/iPad) and the other is a regular USB that fits into a port on a computer. It couldn't be easier to transfer images to and from your phone/computer! Especially if you're on the go or trying to get something posted in a snap - pure genius.
5. Faux Marble: when I shared tips for taking an AWESOME flat lay image, I talked a bit about grabbing some super cheap marble tiles from Home Depot or Lowes; these are great and I suggest them 100%, but since they're 1. very heavy and 2. Are usually 12x12 or 18x18, this faux marble/granite sheet roll is the perfect go-to! I use my marble tiles 90% of the time but sometimes I like to switch it up, or need a bigger space to shoot on - in which case I go to this. There's tons of different styles, washes and patterns and they're very affordable so I highly suggest grabbing all of the ones you like! It's great to have a variety in your collection of props and it really makes taking blog photos so much simpler (and prettier!) when you have an awesome background.
6. Adobe Lightroom: while I know there's cheaper alternatives out there, I always recommend Lightroom and Photoshop to anyone who asks. There's endless possibilities with what you can do with these programs so they're a great investment! You can purchase this version of Lightroom for a one time cost or you can purchase Adobe's monthly plan and pay just $10 per month! I edit all of my photos in Lightroom and sometimes the before and afters are unreal.
7. Camera Strap: I'd like to take a moment to thank whoever the genius was that created this!!! I cannot begin to explain what a huge help this wrist strap has been. It allows you to move freely when taking pictures without worrying about dropping your camera and if you're shooting alone, you know how important it is to be able to take a picture with one hand! This strap also helps keep your hand steady when shooting, making for clearer and crisper pictures.
8. Vinyl Back Drop: these back drops are perfect for all sorts of photography; my favorite is using them for recipe/food posts. They add what looks like texture to your photo and sometimes it's fun to go with something more interesting than a plain/solid background. These are great because they can be used as table top/bottom backgrounds or mounted and used as a background. My favorite tip for using these is temp-taping them to a poster board to easily keep them flat while you shoot!
9. Flash Diffuser Soft Box: this is another version of a diffuser, but this one mounts on top of your camera! SO smart. It fits on the majority of cameras out there and it helps to soften the light around the subject(s) you're shooting. It's only $14.99 and you can be taking better pictures with it by tomorrow with Prime! ;)
10. Table Top Photography Lights: these are the best back lights out there! They're only $35 and they're worth every penny. They're small and compact and can be moved to nearly where ever you need them to be to give you more light. These are extremely helpful if you have to shoot when the lighting isn't great, or even at night. They're super bright and you can easily place them on your desk, table, etc.; where ever you're shooting.
As a new blogger, I need them all! Definitely pinning this.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely interested in that light ring for the camera lens! Such a great idea. I recently just purchased Lightroom and the learning curve is real after using Elements for so long. Definitely need to find a class or something, but I'm excited for when I do eventually learn it.
ReplyDeleteShannon
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Lightroom is definitely the best! I've used it for years and I would NEVER go back to anything else! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat article! I own many of these items!!
ReplyDeleteomg I loved this article. and the best thing is i have lightroom and i totally forgot! Thank you for the reminder!
ReplyDeleteWhat cool gadgets! I legitimately want all of these things!
ReplyDeleteAs a photographer, these are great accessories. I need to look into that ring light. I haven't seen anything like that yet. Super cool!
ReplyDeleteI need the diffuser and reflector so bad! I have that exact ring light, I like it! Next time I go to Home Depot I'm going to check out the marble tiles! :)
ReplyDeleteI need to invest in some lighting options because natural light is not always working in my favor! Thanks for the list of photography items.
ReplyDeleteOmg I am Amazon obsessed! Thanks for sharing these picks..need to invest in a few!
ReplyDeleteThis is amazing!! I have like half of these already, but the table top lights are brilliant!
ReplyDeleteGenevieve Cordery | www.BlueAugustine.com
Great tips! I definitely want to do better with my blog photos so having some of these items will definitely help. Thanks for the recommendations!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a useful post - I've been having difficulties with getting my blog photography up to par, so for now I've resorted to using stock images. Hopefully after purchasing some of these things (+ a new camera!) I'll be able to use my own photography. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDelete- katrina // Yours Truly, Katrina
HECK YES TO ALL OF THESE! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDelete-Natalie
I definitely need to get some better equipment... thank you for your help... now I know where to start!
ReplyDeleteNow that my blof is growing I'm starting to realize that soon I will need to invest in better quality photo equipment.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I'm looking to get more into photography so will check out these recommendations thank you
ReplyDeletedef a piece of marble or faux marble!
ReplyDeleteGreat suggestion, i really need to buy a ring light xoxo
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I love the idea of the marble sheet. I've done wood grain paper, but this is a great "classy" version! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteAdding all of these to my wishlist right now :)
ReplyDeletePerfect list! I need to pick up more marble paper...running out!
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This is a great list! I have all of this except the backdrop, but I need to get it asap!
ReplyDeleteOoh I'll definitely need to check out that ring light! So cool!
ReplyDelete-Anna | www.fivefootandfabulous.com
I NEED the marble background! I'm trying to get better at flat lays and I know that will help.
ReplyDeleteI have GOT to invest in some of these! Especially a tripod! I'm definitely pinning for later!
ReplyDeleteThese are so great!! I just bought a new camera and have been obsessed with all things photography. A ring light is on my list and Lightroom is hands down the best investment I've made... aside from my camera of course haha!!
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I love the faux marble! It is so cute!
ReplyDeletemajor yes to all of them above!! i even have this exact marble.
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I really needed this as I take pics of my cake creation and have started a blog. All great and I saved some of them.
ReplyDeleteThese are all great items! I'm in need of some faux marble!
ReplyDeleteI totally need that marble paper!! I also need a few other items, but that is genius!! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI don't have much of these. It's nice to have a mini studio at home where you can shoot different products and just change the backdrop from time to time, I have yet to do that. These are definitely must haves!
ReplyDeleteThis list is amazing! So bookmarking this so I can buy everything later :)
ReplyDeleteI seriously need marble contact paper!
ReplyDelete-Alix
So many great ideas! I am still working on my photography skills so I need all the help I can get. I need the flash diffuser soft box and the vinyl backdrop for sure!
ReplyDeleteI am so close to buying a light ring and diffuser. I love my light box, drops and lights.
ReplyDeleteSo many great resources! I love that USB! Totally going to purchase that.
ReplyDeleteKatie | www.millennialonthemove.com
Wow. So many things to purchase to up my photography game. I know how important it is to include pictures in a blog post so I have to go and get serious. I don't want my camera to just sit there on the shelf collecting dust.
ReplyDeleteI've been searching everywhere for a decent marble background! I also plan on buying a reflrector/diffuser kit any time soon.
ReplyDeleteThis is so helpful! Thanks for sharing this. I've pinning this post and saving it!
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I really need to learn how to use Lightroom. I don't do enough editing.
ReplyDeleteI'm researching and looking to buy so many of these items! This is such a good list of items you need!
ReplyDeleteGreta | www.gretahollar.com
Yes to all of these! Blog photos are so important!
ReplyDeleteThese are such awesome tips! I never though of using a vinyl background but I am going to order one now!
ReplyDeleteLighting and camera equipment was something I finally invested in a few months ago and I'm SO glad I did! My photos are 1000% better and it's really not as expensive as one might think to get a few lights and backdrops from Amazon! Rachel | rkcsouthern.com
ReplyDeletethis are all true! i hope i can invest things like this! lightroom is what i want to have first! lol
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these are great suggestions! added several to cart :)
ReplyDeleteI have the roll of faux marble and I use it all the time. I've use one piece so much that I'm about to switch it up for another. Next time I'm in Lowe's I will look for some tile pieces as well. I recently got a remote cord for my camera and it helps to much when I'm trying to take swatch picts.
ReplyDeleteI am still working on my go-to photography setup, but your post is amazing - and has a lot of items that are still on my wish list. I will need to work hard now to try to get them!
ReplyDeleteI need to get that camera ring light and the faux marble. I bought some backdrops from Amazon and I love them!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing! I loved this post! I'm definitely going to have to get the camera ring light, the dual usb and the faux marble! I also just bought a set of umbrella lights and those have been amazing as well!
ReplyDeleteXoxo,
Olivia
The faux marble is a genius idea! Since I'm a marriage/family blogger I don't take a lot of pictures myself (lots of stock images instead :)) but the few times I do, that would be so useful.
ReplyDeleteI need the faux marble ASAP. Such a cheap and easy way to set up flay lays
ReplyDeletethis is a really helpful post, I've been looking to buy a faux marble piece!
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This was a SUPER helpful post! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI love my reflector it comes to every photo session for myself or for clients it is awesome!
ReplyDeleteI use a lot of these but haven't tried the hand strap - I need to look into one - it looks awesome!
ReplyDeleteGreat list! You can also find cheap backdrops to use at Home Depot. They now carry cheap paneling that is in all different patterns.
ReplyDeleteAll very cool products! So far I just use the table and my cell phone.
ReplyDeleteThis post is pure gold! I think every single blogger out there is looking for the info you are sharing! I bought all of my stuff through Amazon but i still want to get the reflectors.
ReplyDeleteLa Belle Sirene
This was extremely helpful! I just ordered two of the items listed.
ReplyDeletexo Debbie | www.tothineownstylebetrue.com
I've been looking for a good ring light!! Looks like I know which one now! I'm currently upping my equipment game and this post is so helpful :)
ReplyDeletexx Carly | www.thecarlycollective.com
This is just an awesome list!!! I have a quick question that maybe you have a suggestion for. I was thinking about getting a light box so I can put the product in it and have white all around it - is there one you would suggest???
ReplyDeleteYou have written that the color is pretty also which doesn't hurt. But i have one concern about it. why it is pretty? You should keep more concern on it to increase the quality. Have you any informative article on Clipping Path Service?>
ReplyDeleteExperts will regularly know the response to this inquiry, while a few devotees might have the capacity to abashedly concede that occasionally they need a bit of photography gear more than they really require it.corporate video company
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This include the photography of unexpected events at a planned place. A photographer has to reach at a correct place at a correct time to make it happen perfectly.
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