How to Style Your Pictures

I have noticed a really huge difference in my photos lately.  When I was first starting out in blogland - and etsyland for that matter - I tried reading lots of articles about how to make your shop look better or how to get more followers for your blog, etc, etc.  Yes, I'm not gonna lie, I was concerned with getting more followers more than I should have been in my early Blogger stages.  I have definitely grown and learned that it's not about getting "followers," but about doing what you love and sharing that with others honestly and genuinely.  Either way I really want to share some little tips on styling photos, for a blog or Etsy shop.

Styling was difficult for me, being that the majority of the things I shoot are my paintings, I couldn't figure out a way to make the photos look interesting.  I used to just take pictures of my paintings sitting against a wall, with absolutely nothing in the background.  I would actually make sure that there was nothing in the background.  By adding things that I personally find inspiring like pretty knobs and twine it helps give the photo a little more visual interest.  By using objects you like as a person, you can really show who you are also.  Also, you shouldn't clutter the photo, it should be sort of balanced.  The object you're trying to show shouldn't be covered up, you want it to stand out.

 (My favorite bracelets from here and here and a shot glass my friend Kaitlyn made for me)

I'm not saying I'm an expert at styling photos, I've only noticed a giant change in my photos lately because I started styling them.  It helps too that I've been trying to surround myself by everything I love and everything inspiring, so I have a lot more pretty things lying around than I used to.  Like this little green bird in the photo above...I found him on sale at Michael's last week.  I love the color of him and the size is perfect.  Plus he's so cuutee :)

I hope this helped any fellow bloggers or Etsy shop owners!  Ultimately, it all comes back to just being yourself and using things that you as a person find inspiring.