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Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Monet's Palette

Dress - Bernie Dexter
Shoes - Novo
Taking these photos yesterday morning got me thinking about the whole process of taking blog photos, and wondering about how other bloggers take theirs. Is this something that as a blogger that you have wondered about too? For me, I am always impressed by bloggers who go out right into busy cityscapes and shoot away, coming up with incredible dramatic shots and a stunning location. I follow a lot of different blogs and everyone has their own thing, from shooting in their own garden, to the inside of their homes.

For me, I would describe taking outfit photos as a secretive process. I find a quiet spot with as few people as possible and try to look as casual as I can - well, look like I'm not having my photo taken. I would be lying if I said that the whole process doesn't at least make me somewhat anxious! There is always that impending fear of someone asking why I am having my photo taken or why I am dressed the way I am. So we try to be as discreet as possible, and we joke about it being 'ninja photography' by which I mean there is a five minute frame to take photos and get out without being seen.

So now I am curious about the other bloggers out there - what is your experience taking blog photos like? Is it a similar process of secrecy or is it just me that finds the concept of taking blog photos in public a bit daunting? Have you got any funny stories about taking blog photos, or are there some moments that make your face burn to recall?




28 comments:

  1. the print of the dress is beautiful! i try to take photos in places with as little people possible too, or at home, haha. but i'd like to get better about it so i could have other locations and everything:-) xx

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  2. Your photos always turn out lovely and you have the nicest backdrops. I always fear that my outfit posts are awfully drab and quite boring, taken just against my wardrobes. I'd love to have my pictures taken outdoors in a nice secluded spot but I do not have a tripod. The boy has offered to take my outfit pictures for my blog many times but even in front of him (who also just happens to be a photographer) I'm too afraid to pose, feeling awfully silly and resorting to prank poses instead! Perhaps I'll grow out of it someday!

    And I just love this waterlily print on your dress! It looks just beautiful against that pond.

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  3. I would love to take outside photos like you do, but A. I get too shy and anxious to do and B. I don't have anyone who'll take them for me. :( So I prefer to take my outfit photos at home! By the way I love that Bernie dress on you! xo
    http://cherrymilla82.blogspot.com.au/

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  4. I try to do a ninja "snap & run" ... Don't make eye contact! Don't look at me! I'm not some crazy chick with a tripod and camera running back and forth all by myself taking photos.... Haha! Add a vintage outfit with a hat, gloves and heels, and well. Yup. I definitely find snapping outfit photos in public to be a very daunting thing.

    I try to avoid crowds as a result and pick locations that are either out of the way, or not busy. It can make things tricky though, so maybe I just need to practice among the crowds more? : P I'm not brave enough I don't think.... ❤

    xox,
    bonita of Lavender & Twill

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  5. Haha! That is exactly it! Ninja photo taking! :) I haaaate taking photos, and my poor husband is forced to be my photographer. I am seriously inspired by bloggers who take beautiful, professional looking photos. You always look flawless! And you are always in the perfect setting! I would never think you had any anxiety!
    ~xoxo, CoriLynn

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  6. What a stunning dresssss!! I love that color but I'm not sure it will actually suit me - suits you beautifully though! Maybe it's because of your skin tone and your hair.. hmmm..

    Anyway, we usually take photos outdoors but yes I try to find a quiet spot. Sometimes people would go past but I've stopped caring so much as I think I'm not particularly posey so it just looks like I'm taking tourist photos ahahaha

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  7. I would never have guessed that you try to be secretive while taking your photos - they always turn out so beautifully! I'm with you on feeling anxious about it, though! Since moving, I don't have a handy photographer to take photos for me so I have to do it myself. It's basically my worst nightmare that someone will walk by and see me posing in front of my camera on a tripod - eek! It makes it even more difficult that secluded places are few and far between here in Oxford (so. many. tourists.)
    Keep well,
    Carley
    xx

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  8. I definitely much prefer the ninja approach, but the problem is that where I live there's very few public places that aren't busy as it's a real tourist trap... we've ended up down random side streets thinking we've gotten away with it and then a nosy woman will walk by and start shouting at me to 'RELAX MY HAND' - that really happened. I feel like where I live, nowhere is safe! I've had to come to terms with it and just ignore the looks and the comments, because why should other people ruin what I want to do for my blog? I don't have any space in my house to take photos and have a tiny yard so it's really get out there or nothing... I'd never know you struggled though, you always look so serene in your photos! CC x

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  9. I'm pretty much the same as you. People where I live can often be inquisitive and sometimes rude if I'm out taking photos with my tripod, and although it's a little easier with someone else taking the photos for me, people often will stare. I have a few fairly private locations nearby that I use, but I always worry about over-using some of the locations.

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  10. I also prefer to have as few people as possible, especially if I'm using my tripod and remote to take pictures of myself! I had some kids stop and stare at me from across the street just this week. Usually I just smile really big and stare back, then pretend like what I'm doing is the most normal thing in the world. If they ask, BAM, I put a blogger business card in their hand!

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  11. I think you picked a lovely location for these shots. You really look as if you're a part of the scene, the way the dress mirrors the colors of the leaves and the lake. It's a stunning dress on you.
    I take my photos myself using a small tripod and the timer on my camera, so that can be kind of limiting since I have to have something to put my camera on top of. I'm also a bit secretive about taking photos, and usually use various spots in my back yard or a secluded alley to do it. I like to dance or try to do interesting or dramatic poses, and it can be sort of embarrassing to be seen in public taking photos of yourself, even if you're a very confident person. I'm trying to get past that, though, since usually when people see me they either don't react or react fairly positively.

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  12. You look stunning! And what a perfect setting for this lovely dress.

    Like yourself (and pretty much everyone else, it seems) taking photographs in public places makes me all kinds of anxious.. I have done it before a couple of times but I can never relax enough so the photos never end up being as good.
    At the moment I am lucky to live in a neighbourhood with little cobblestone back alleys that people use to access their garages, so thats where I've been taking all of my photos. It only ever gets awkward if someone drives down one, but it's usually fairly quiet so its ok.
    I've never had anyone come up to me and ask what I'm doing, but I think Emileigh's comment about smiling really big and handing them a business card sounds like a winner if that occasion did ever arise!

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  13. Wowee, beautiful colours! I'm like you and tend to try to find somewhere not too busy to take photos as I get a little embarrassed...

    captaincharghley.blogspot.com

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  14. You look stunning and that dress is so beautiful! I would never have guessed that you feel anxious when snapping your photos in public because you always look so content and serene. I don't have the confidence to take my outfits in public; my family don't even know I'm a blogger! I take all my photos in my garden when nobody is home, and I still feel awkward posing at home, thinking the neighbours are watching me! (I swear I hear the curtains moving every time)! xx

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  15. You are ACTUAL perfection, Harlow! xx

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  16. That dress is absolutely stunning!! Something I didn't know I needed until I saw it :)

    I agree with you, I am always a bit nervous of having my photo's taken in public, so I try to be as casual as possible.

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  17. Stunning outfit. You always look straight out of a magazine. I love your hair as well. And man, what stunning weather. Right now it's snowing here in Berlin, haha. I take my pictures with a photographer and actually try not to think too much about those around me (strangers) while we are shooting.


    Rae | love from berlin

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  18. Oooh, that dress is so vibrantly beautiful! I've always been drawn to lily pad imagery and this fabulous frock is no exception.

    ♥ Jessica

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  19. I love your photographs, I can't believe it only takes you 5 mins - I usually end up taking at least an hour (to be fair I'm pretty new to it). I'm also very self-conscious about taking pictures - I can only do it outside if I have someone else with me! It doesn't help that I'm from a small town where the likelihood that I'll see someone I know is very high. But I'm trying to expand myself and my tripod and get out more.

    www.cheap-skatefashion.blogspot.com

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  20. That's something that I've wondered about too! I'm like you in that taking photos in public embarrasses me a lot! But I don't really have to worry about it as I live so rurally and the only living beings to witness it are cows, horses and kangaroos.
    Beautiful, summery photos. As always, you look gorgeous and your style is impeccable!

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  21. These photos are breathtaking Harlow! You look beautiful in this amazing dress. Well you already know I will take photos just about anywhere and am not too bothered with people around! Unless they enter your personal space deliberately even when taking photos in a quiet spot haha xx

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  22. great!...what a photos...what a style...what a Silhouete...this charming outfit is a work of Art indeed...cheers!

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  23. being a single lady i don't have anyone i can regularly rope into taking outfit photos for me, and i actually don't really have a space in my house that i think is suitable for taking photos which is why i haven't had any outfit posts in FOREVER on my blog. but i'm a bit the same, i like to get it over and done with and not be in the public eye so if i did have someone to help me with taking them while we were out of the house i'd definitely try and do it quickly and privately too, haha. especially when you have a certain style you're going to stand out more as it is even without posing for the camera!

    jessica - littlehenrylee.com

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  24. Perfect backdrop for a perfect dress! You look gorgeous in it! <3 I am always so in awe of bloggers like yourself who take photos outside and also who do it so artistically. I always do my photos at home inside... I think the biggest reason is because I'm so nervous about taking photos out in public!!! That and I feel the most unnatural trying to pose in a model kind of way. It would just come out so awkwardly for me! I don't mind my technique though since for me my blog is mostly about documenting my Outfits of the Day and giving reviews of clothes :) <3

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  25. I love that dress.

    I find if I'm set up with a tripod I want the quietest spot possible so I don't look like a crazy person posing to a three legged one eyed thing. If I've got a person on the other side of the camera however, I have little shame. Can't you tell I'm a super important fashion model darrrrrhhhhling? :P :P :P

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  26. I love how the dress matches the setting, you're always so beautiful Harlow

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  27. First off, thank-you for giving me a new Bernie dress to lust after that I have never seen before! (And it looks AMAZING on you!)

    Second, I wonder the same thing!! I'm actually cooking up a post that's addressing many similar thoughts ranging from wondering about other bloggers and how I've changed my photo taking style over the year I've been blogging. For now I'll leave you with the fact that I'm like you...as secretive as possible!!!

    XOXO

    www.prefertobedemure.com

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  28. Wow! I just found your blog and I am blown away. Your style is fantastic. Love every single outfit. This dress spectacular. I'll definitely be following along.

    punkylittlediyer.blogspot.com

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