Tag: blog

How to Start a Photography Blog

On July 3, 2020

Every creative professional has probably been asked the same question at one point in their career: “Why don’t you start a blog?

If you’re looking to build an online presence, starting a blog is the perfect way to add a little personality to your portfolio. As a photographer, your voice, passion, and identity are revealed in your approach to the art. With a photography blog, you can showcase your favorite snapshots in a public space where you can also discuss your techniques, the gear you use, and the projects you will undertake.

The thought may seem a little daunting at first, as you begin to wonder how to approach it. But don’t worry. We’ve pulled together some top tips on how to start a photography blog to help you exhibit your talent. Find out how to start your own photography blog, how to make money with a photography blog, and more below.

How To Start A Photo Blog

We’ve outlined the most important steps on how to blog photography on your own website to help get you started.

The Build
First things first, you need to build your blog from scratch. Here is a brief overview of the steps you need to take when setting up a photography blog:

Register a domain name – this is the “address” to your new “home” on the internet.
Set up website hosting
Install the software/CMS from your chosen blog site, e.g. WordPress
Choose a theme

If you can afford it, we recommend that you host your own blog. This means that you pay for your web server and website domain (it typically costs $10-$15 a month), and though you might pay a bit more, you can rest easy knowing that you own your own content and blog website.

The Design

Before choosing a theme for your blog, think about your content. Make sure it will naturally suit your chosen theme while reflecting your personality. Opting for a customizable theme is always preferable so you can make any necessary changes.

When choosing the design of your blog, also consider sticking to one column. This view typically offers the best reader experience and makes it “mobile optimized”, so your audience can read on their phones, whenever and wherever. This is important, as most web surfers are now accessing the internet from their phones and tablets. Also, try to keep your menu bar streamlined with as little options as possible to make it easier for the user to navigate.

The Content

When you start your first photography blog, it’s important to upload regular content to keep up with demand. So on the days that you can’t make it out for a special trip, ensure you’re still using your camera around your local area. And even if you may specialize in landscape or architectural photography, make sure you also include the odd portrait or a shot of something personal so that you can humanize your blog and give your readers a glimpse of the person behind the camera.

If you want to avoid posting your personal memories online but still want a way to showcase them and share them with loved ones, a Nixplay frame is your best bet. Simply display your snaps in your own home and share them with family and friends.

But a photography blog isn’t just about achieving the perfect shot. Add value by providing top tips on lighting, effects, or your favorite equipment. You could also take a more journalistic approach by expressing your opinions on a topic, or telling a story about what you saw through the viewfinder. Find the style that works best for you.

Your photography blog offers a place for you to curate and display your favorite shots, where readers can learn more about you and your work. But you don’t just have to post your own work on your blog. Why not share some insights with your readers, and make a post about your favorite artists? Just remember to give credit where credit is due, and acknowledge the other person behind the camera.

Before creating and posting content, you should consider your audience. Who are you targeting? What message do you want to send to your readers? Nailing down your target audience is a crucial part of setting up a photography blog that is destined for success.

Top Tips For Setting Up A Photography Blog

Discover our top tips on how to start a photography blog successfully:

Choose the right equipment for the job. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, there’s a photography kit out there for you.
Think of a catchy domain name or handle. Think of one that users will remember and relate to.
If you’re starting out with a free blog like Wix or WordPress, you may want to consider upgrading to a professional account once your blog has gained some traction.
Never take your blog too seriously. Your photography blog is your personal playground, a place for you to share your photos, ideas, links, and inspiration. With technology, there are no limits.
Don’t get too hung up on stats like page views. These figures may fluctuate often, so checking them every day may make you feel unmotivated.

Just getting your skills started? Discover our top tips on how to get started in photography, from choosing the right equipment to taking the perfect shot.

How To Make Money With A Photography Blog

Professional photography is a competitive field, but there are several ways to monetize your blog so you can earn some dollars on the side. You can run display ads or sell your artwork, and there are photography sites available that will help you connect with potential buyers.

Then, once you’ve built up your audience, consider running photography workshops. You can engage with your readers, share your skills, and gain some extra cash. These might be online workshops or they might take place in your studio.

How To Start A Photography Instagram

If you’re wondering how to start a photography business on Instagram, you should approach it in a way similar to approaching a photography blog. However, followers often expect an Instagram feed to maintain a cohesive style or subject matter. Users typically decide whether to follow an account based on their latest nine images, so make sure that the top of your feed represents you and your style. Also use plenty of relevant, popular hashtags, follow similar accounts, and link out to your blog from your profile bio to gain more traffic.

And that’s how to start a photography blog! Hopefully, we’ve encouraged you to get started on setting up a photography blog to showcase your favorite snaps. If you’re looking for the best place to store your photos off the internet, perhaps you have some more private, personal photos that you don’t wish to share online, a digital frame is your best bet. For a completely personal solution, Nixplay digital photo frames come with ample storage, so you can share your favorite private memories with those who are closest to you, making it the perfect device for a professional photographer. Browse the collection online today.

3 Simple Tips for Great Indoor Photography!

By Beatrice Bisais

On January 7, 2016

In Photography

We recently shared some exciting tips on how to take a family portrait, now let’s head indoors to get the best advice on capturing photos with your phones or DSLR!

Indoor photography can be intimidating because the lighting is more difficult to deal with than shooting outdoors. If you are ever faced with under exposed, blurry photos, here are 3 easy indoor photography ideas to use to help you capture a great photograph to showcase on your Nixplay cloud frame!

(1) Step out of the comfort zone of the Auto World

If I could tell everyone about indoor photography in two words, it would have to be white balance. First of all, what is a white balance? It’s as easy as it sounds! It’s all about the color temperature and keeping it “balanced”.

Tip for your Phone: Instead of using the auto settings, use your Instagram filters when taking a phone to approach indoor photography in a creative manner!

Tip for your DSLR: Our eyes are used to adjusting to the different hue of light sources provide, however our DSLR’s are not able to do this as well as our eyes can. Hence our tip is to step out of the Auto comfort zone, and to adjust the white balance manually to get the colors in your photographs as accurate as possible.

(2) Use one source of Light

If you choose to shoot during the day, the best option for you is to use window lighting! You will be surprised with the results you can get with just natural lighting. It’s advised to avoid flash photography as much as you can as it replaces soft shadows with harsh shadows. This may make your photography lose some details. Whilst working with real light, you are able to learn more about controlled lighting and about your camera functions.

Tip for you Phone: If you are shooting a dimmed indoor area, the flash may be required to avoid blurry photographs, especially when your using your phone cameras. I’d also recommend using the Camera + app on your iPhone to edit settings.

Tip for your DSLR: If the photos are not bright enough, try to bump up your ISO settings until you achieve a satisfied result.

(3) Think outside of the frame.

Be aware of what is in your photograph. There’s nothing worse than taking a great photo and noticing unnecessary objects in the photo. It is encouraged to photograph your subject the way you would want to see it on your cloud frame. Look around before you take the photo to check if there are little objects behind your subject. Make sure you get rid of those unwanted objects. If you are not able to remove the object, just simply move somewhere else!

There it is: 3 quick indoor photography tips to take great photos indoors for your cloud frame. We hope these tips will give you confidence to experiment with more photos indoors! Enjoy clicking away!

Beatrice Bisais

Bea is Nixplay’s Social Media Manager. She enjoys drinking coffee, reading about wars, and writing stories. Send her a message at beatrice.bisais@nixplay.com.

5 Inspiring Tips to Capture Family Portraits!

By Beatrice Bisais

On March 24, 2014

In Photography

It’s that time of year to get the kids together for the family portrait. I know it can be a challenge at times, which is why I’ve created some easy tips to help you capture ideal family portraits you’ll be proud to show off on your nixplay Cloud Frame.

1) Be Creative!

Find your own style of posing that embraces your family’s quirkiness, and be creative about it! Look for creative ways to pose your subjects in the photograph and use some props to help you capture different shots. For example you could use bubbles, water guns, books and etc that elaborate each family member in their own light.

2) Don’t take it too seriously!

I can’t emphasize enough how important this is. The main idea of your photo shoot is to have fun and only to have fun. Don’t be afraid to joke around and enjoy yourself. Try to take a blend of serious shots and candid shots for your family potraits. Once the serious shots have been completed, ask your subjects to relax. Sometimes the best shots will show up when everyone is being themselves and not worrying about how to put on their best smiles, so get the candid photos coming! You’ll be surprised with how good the results can be.

3) Expression is everything!

When you’re taking photos of kids, allow them to be goofy! This will enhance their real personalities and encourage them to show a natural smile. If they’re not sure how to hold themselves, you can always suggest ways for them to pose. Or even consider using props by involving their favorite toys!

4) Destination – Familiar Atmosphere

There is nothing better than capturing the photos in a familiar atmosphere, such as your home! The best thing about shooting at home is that it’s a familiar place which will make everyone feel comfortable, and it’ll also increase the meaning of the photos! Worried about bad lighting indoors? Worry no more because window lighting will be your best friend. Window lighting could be used as a key light, fill light and even backlight. Be aware of controlling your light source wisely.

5) Manual, Manual, Manual!

For anyone with a DSLR camera, it’s time to get familiar with your manual mode. Your camera setting does not always know the right setting options for the environment you are in, so try to avoid the auto. Remember to shoot in RAW format. RAW file format captures all image data that is recorded by the sensor when you take the photo. This allows you to get the highest level of quality and greater levels of brightness. Not to mention – this also allows you to easily correct over or under exposed images without losing too many details.

Happy Clicking! In no time you’ll have an album of great photos to proudly display on your nixplay Cloud Frame!

Images : August 2013, Chandni Chotrani, Freeze Seize Conquer

About Chandni Chotrani, Hong Kong

Photographs to me are a way of encapsulating stories and preserving memories. They make us smile, laugh, cry and remember. It has always fascinated me how with just a simple click, you are able to capture the moments of our lives and to put together images tocreate a photographic storybook filled with timeless meanings.

Beatrice Bisais

Bea is Nixplay’s Social Media Manager. She enjoys drinking coffee, reading about wars, and writing stories. Send her a message at beatrice.bisais@nixplay.com.