Taking your Own Blog Photos #BehindTheScreen

Say Cheese! Are you ready to upgrade your selfie? Did you guys know I take about 90% of my blog/IG photos on my own?

Yup. That’s right. Most of the time I am my own photographer, on top of about 1 million other jobs that I do to keep Yes, Plz up and running (all worth it for you guys, btw!).

When I first started blogging, one of the hardest things possible was finding someone to take my photos. My friends and family are 100% supportive of my blog but to be honest sometimes I don’t like them to take my photos.

After RJ has been working all day and we haven’t had any time together, the last thing I want to do is bug him to take a million pictures of me. Plus, most of the time I have a very specific angle/shot/vibe in my head that can be hard to portray.

So, I figured out how to take my own photos.

At first it was difficult. But then it was fun. And now it’s the norm.

So, there’s two ways I do it! And if you don’t have a fancy camera, don’t you worry. It’s still possible.

And if you’re not a blogger, this still works well for family photos, solo trips or whatev. (I shot our Christmas card by myself this year!)

if you only have an iPhone.. 

-Buy a tripod. They’re cheap! There’s a bunch of different ones & if you’re a blogger I suggest on buying multiple. I have two phone tripods (this & this) + one camera tripod (it’s larger). The top of my phone tripod removes and can attach to my large tripod if needed, but most importantly you just need one medium tripod to start out. 

–Grab a Bluetooth Remote. This is mine. It syncs to your phone via bluetooth and enables you to take photos from across the room. GAME CHANGER. 

–Learn the Toe Tap. So sometimes, you can use the bluetooth remote by hiding it in your hand but sometimes (when shooting recipes etc.), you can’t use your hands. Here’s my secret tip:

the toe tap

put the bluetooth remote on the floor and use your big toe to tap the photos. Crazy but it works y’all. 

Here’s some posts I shot via toe tap & on my iPhone: 

Greek Chicken Flatbread, 80 Calorie Mug Cake, Sephora Holy Grails

if you have a Canon.. 

*I have to preface this option may be available on other cameras but I only have a Canon so I can’t speak for what I don’t know. 🙂 

–Buy a Tripod. I have a large tripod for my camera. It has three different sections on the legs so I can make it many different angles, heights, etc.  

–Download the Canon App. There’s two apps but I use Cannon Camera Connect. This allows you to control the camera like a remote. IT’S MIND BLOWING. You can change settings, focus, etc. The app will walk you through set up or if you have any specific questions, I googled a ton. You can also use this app to download photos straight from camera to phone if you’re out and about & want to IG right away. 

–Toe Tap. Same as above.. use your hand when possible or resort to the toe tap! Just wipe down your phone after, ha! 

Here’s a few posts I shot via toe tap & my Canon: 

Caramel Apple Mimosas, Blogger Not Billionaire, Latest Book & TV Obsessions, 10 Minute Make Up Routine (I’m really proud of these photos)

When shooting yourself I do have a few extra tips. Always take a few photos then make sure the lighting, focus, etc. is right. I can’t tell you how frustrating it is to shoot a whole post and later find out that all the pictures are unusable. Once you know the settings are right, then take more photos than necessary. Besides that it’s actually pretty easy! 

Click Here to Pin this Post

I take almost all my photos, the only times I don’t are if we are out somewhere and I don’t have my tripod, if no people are in the photos or if I’m with my BFF Nat who’s a photographer. 

If you try this method, please let me know! If you have any questions at all, hit me up on DM or comment below. XO