Photo Fail

Hey there friends!

For anyone who has struggled with photographing and marketing your own products, you are not alone! While I have some experience in photography, taking pictures for marketing purposes can be a totally different task than simply being artistic. I have had many photo fails, making it difficult to really get across the beauty of a quilt. When selling your work it is important for potential customers to see the quilt clearly, the colors as they truly are, and the quality.

I have done some research and found some tips on getting the most out of your pictures. I will also include pictures to demonstrate the principles.

1. Make sure that your background is free of anything that would distract from your product. Choose a solid background and, if you'd like, include one simple piece to add depth to your picture.

Don't do this:

Try this:

2. When choosing a background, also consider the colors of your quilt. If it has mostly dark colors, select a light background. If it is lighter, then feel free to use a darker background.

Don't do this:

Try this:

3. Make sure that your lighting helps show off the true colors of the quilt. Low or harsh light can often alter the colors in the image, which is very misleading to a customer. For more lighting tips try this site:

http://shecanquilt.blogspot.com/2013/04/photo-tips-for-quilt-photographers-2013.html

4. Always include a detail shot. Zoom in on an area that shows off your quilting, a particularly cute fabric, or a complex pattern. This will demonstrate your skill and the quality of the quilt.

Examples:

5. Be creative. You can easily hang quilts on the wall or from a laundry for a quick, easy photo shoot. But adding texture can really vamp up your photos. If you've made a baby quilt, try draping it over a crib or rocking chair. For winter quilts, place them next to a cup of coffee and an old book. Choose a piece that matches the theme of the quilt.

Examples:

That's it for today. For more tips on photographing your quilts, try these sites!

http://amyscreativeside.com/2011/04/28/bloggers-quilt-festival-photo/

http://prettybobbins.com/2013/02/21/photographing-quilts/

LB