Photography Tips for Sewists: How to Take Amazing Photos of Your Handmade Clothes

Welcome to our guide on Photography Tips for Sewists, Part 2! (see part 1 here)

Below we’ll share more tips on how to take amazing photos of your handmade clothes.

By following these photography tips for sewists, you'll be able to take your image game to the next level! Many of these tips work well together, but feel free to mix and match as you discover your own unique style.

9 Tips on How to take Amazing Photos

• Add a little depth by having your subject stand a few feet in front of the backdrop
• Shoot balanced photos by following the Rule of Thirds.
• Get them talking
• Lighting
• Straighten and crop your photos
• Add some pop with filters
• Focus on the details
• Play with angles and perspectives
• Capture candid moments

Add a little depth by having your subject stand a few feet in front of the backdrop

• If your subject is standing in front of a wall, have them stand a few feet away from it to add some depth to the photo and help your subject stand out even more.
• If your smartphone has an adjustable "Portrait" or "Bokeh" mode, make use of it! This feature will help you create professional-looking photos with blurred backgrounds that focus attention on the subject and highlight details, such as the clothes you've sewn.

Shoot balanced photos by following the Rule of Thirds.

• Have you ever noticed how some photos just feel better? Often times it's due to the composition and where the subject appears in the photo. Applying the Rule of Thirds is a nearly fool-proof way of making sure your photos feel balanced.
• Start by going into phone camera settings and turning on Grid.
  1. iPhone: Settings > Photos and Camera > Enable the Grid switch
  2. Android: Camera settings > Turn on the Grid (3 x 3)
• Now when your phone camera is open you should see two vertical and two horizontal lines on your screen.
• When taking pictures, try to line your subject up on the horizontal lines, the vertical lines, at one of the horizontal + vertical intersections, or directly in the middle of the frame.
• Bonus tip: If you didn't enable grid lines when taking a picture, it's really easy to apply the Rule of Thirds by cropping your image in most photo editing apps.

Get them talking

• This one holds true for adults too, but it’s a great tip for improving the photos of your children, especially younger kids. Ask them a question and wait until they start answering it before raising the camera to your eye. Or even take a quick snap of them thinking.
• When the child is talking or thinking, they’ll be distracted from your camera, which should allow you to get a natural-looking photo…or just one of complete boredom/frustration like the one above!

How to Use Light to Your Advantage

• One of the best photography tips for sewists is to make natural light your friend! When possible, use window light or take photos outdoors during the morning, late afternoon, or when cloudy while the sunlight is soft. Check out this article to learn more about natural light photography.
• If you're indoors and natural light isn't available, try turning on multiple light sources and experimenting with their placement to avoid harsh shadows.
• Remember to face your subject toward the light for even illumination, but if you're outside with strong sunlight and no shadows to hide in, have the sun behind your subject to add depth to the image (if the sun is in their face they'll appear washed out!).

Straighten and crop your photos

• Ensure that your photos have horizontal and vertical lines properly aligned by straightening them in a photo editing app.
• Cropping can enhance a photo by removing unnecessary elements andfocusing on the subject. Keep in mind the rule of thirds when cropping to maintain a balanced composition.

Add some pop with filters

• A well-chosen filter can enhance the colors, mood, and overall look of a photo. Most photo-editing apps and social media platforms offer a variety of filters. Experiment with different options to find the ones that best complement your style and the subject of your photo.
• It's important not to overdo it with filters. Subtle enhancements usually look more professional and appealing than extreme changes.

Focus on the details

• Once you've nailed the overall composition and lighting, pay attention to the little details in your photos. For example, adjust clothing to remove wrinkles and ensure nothing is distracting from the subject.
• Get close to your subject to capture small details, such as fabric textures or intricate patterns on the clothes.

Play with angles and perspectives

• Mix up your shots by experimenting with different angles and perspectives. Try shooting from above or crouching down to capture images at your subject's eye level.
• These variations add interest to your photos and can create dynamic, engaging images.

Capture candid moments

• While posed shots are great, candid moments can sometimes tell a more genuine and compelling story. Keep your camera ready to capture spontaneous moments and genuine interactions between family members or friends.

Conclusion

By applying these photography tips for sewists, you'll be well on your way to capturing stunning images of your handmade creations. Remember, practice makes perfect. The more you experiment with composition, lighting, and angles, the better your photos will become.

Now it's time to grab your camera (or smartphone) and start snapping away. Don't forget to have fun and let your creativity shine through!

FAQ

• Q: Do I need a professional camera to take great photos of my sewing projects?
• A: No, a smartphone with a decent camera is more than capable of capturing beautiful photos. Many of the tips in this guide can be applied using a smartphone camera. However, if you have access to a DSLR or mirrorless camera, you may have more options for controlling settings like aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, which can help you achieve specific effects.
  
  
• Q: What's the best time of day to take outdoor photos?
• A: Early morning and late afternoon are generally the best times for outdoor photography. During these hours, the sunlight is softer and less harsh, creating more flattering and even lighting for your subject.
  
  
• Q: How important is photo editing in showcasing my sewing projects?
• A: While it's essential to capture quality photos in the first place, editing can enhance your images and make them look more polished. Simple adjustments like straightening, cropping, and applying filters can make a big difference in the overall look and feel of your photos.
  
  
• Q: What is the Rule of Thirds and why is it important?
• A: The Rule of Thirds is a photography composition guideline that involves dividing your photo into nine equal parts using two equally spaced horizontal lines and two equally spaced vertical lines. By placing your subject along these lines or at their intersections, your photos will feel more balanced and visually appealing.