How To Take Awesome Photos Of Your Craft

Crafting is a wonderful hobby, providing relaxation and a creative outlet for many. With the age of social media pretty much taking over all of our lives, photography really matters. For those just gaining exposure, good photos of their crafty projects provide a confidence boost and add an extra creative element to the project itself. For those looking to make money from the crafts they create, good photographs aren’t just nice, they are absolutely necessary.

The problem is, where do you start when you don’t know how to take the gorgeous photos everyone seems to have on Pinterest, Instagram and all the craft selling sites? How come yours are more Doh! than pro? Don’t worry, it’s not a skill most of us have, and remember, many people will have taken lots of duds before getting their photography skills spot on, you just can’t see the rubbish photos because they have been deleted. The short of it is – everyone has to start somewhere.

Here are some useful tips to get your craft photos looking great:

See It As An Extension Of The Craft Project

In order to unleash your creativity and passion onto the photos as much as you do when you’re crafting, you must see the photos as an extension of the project. So you can assume you project isn’t complete until you have taken photos of it. This will help you get better photos because you’ll value them just like you value what you have created.

Work With A Pro

If you have a bit of budget to spare, working with a pro initially could be a good idea. They could create some really great quality images for you that can be used by bloggers and magazines, and which make craft fairs and exhibitions more likely to select you. A good thing to do is work with a pro and get some tips as you go along. This will enable you to get some fabulous high quality images to start with, and also have lots of ideas to take you forward on your own as well.

Look At What Others Are Doing

It makes sense to check out the competition so you can see the standards you need to reach. Collect images you like and look at how popular crafters are presenting their wares on their different social media channels. How does their brand translate through the images? How is the workmanship demonstrated? Don’t copy what you see, but let it inspire you and your own individual style.

Choose The Items You Are Photographing Carefully

Of course this isn’t relevant when you are marketing each individual craft. But when you are simply advertising your brand, think carefully about what you photograph – you want to show your work at its best. Think about what makes your work stand out. This can include the products, the process and the things you used to make the craft. If your art and craft supplies have a story – tell it. If you make the items in an unusual way, or want to give a snapshot into the delicate processes surrounding the craftsmanship – think about a creative and beautiful way you can highlight this in an image. Consider using a collection of products, or using props with the products, or placing them in a beautiful setting.

Use Models Carefully

It can be really easy to make a picture look amateur when using people in the photos, so be careful with how you use them. If you take photos of people enjoying your craft in public, ask permission for using the image before you publish it. Experiment with lots of different poses, styles and ways that the person is interacting with the craft.

Keep A Project Diary

As well as photos for marketing, you should also take your own personal photos, as once you sell something you have created you won’t ever get it back. These photos can build a personal story and you might use them across social media in other ways.

Consider A Concept

If you are making a set of photos, it might be worth considering a concept to stick to. This will help you run a theme through the photos and ensure continuity.

Lighting

Light is your best friend, always. The best light is slightly overcast, natural light, but as a general rule, any natural light is better than artificial light. Use lighting to your advantage and if you are using a smartphone to take pictures, wait until the light is good to take an image of your project.

Detail & Perspective

Sometimes just a simple change of perspective, or changing one slight detail, can make all the difference to a picture. Experiment with closeups, different backgrounds and perspectives to show your craft off at its best. Always check the detail – it only takes one unsightly stain, bit of fluff or carrier bag in the background to make a picture look amateur.

Captions

The best photos can become less professional when an amateur caption is added – be careful with this and hashtags and consider looking into basic social media marketing for tips.

Your Story

The most important thing to think about is your story. What makes your craftsmanship stand out? Who is the person behind the products and what is their story? Write down your own brand message, what you stand for and where the passion for your craft comes from – then consider this with every photo you take to see if that comes across.