How to Get Featured!
There is nothing I love more than featuring makers who use my patterns!
I love showcasing the creativity and style of this amazing community to share inspiration. There are a few things I look for when choosing which photos and videos to feature on my social media platforms. Things like lighting and backgrounds make all the difference when finding the best way to showcase your crochet creations.
Follow these simple tips and tricks to take the best photos and get featured on Namaste and Crochet Platforms!
Tip #1 is all about LIGHTING!
Lighting makes all the difference, especially when you want to show off the beautiful details of your handmade item!
When shooting photos indoors, make sure you're in a room with tons of natural light. My favorite place to shoot indoors is often in a doorway because you get all of the beautiful light from the outdoors without having to fight shadows.
When shooting outdoors, be careful of shadows! We’ve all seen photos with harsh shadows on the face or garment, and they are no fun to edit. To avoid harsh shadows, take photos in a fully shaded area, or make sure to face the sun so that you are not lit from the back. Shooting during “Golden Hour” is the absolute best time because the sun casts that beautiful golden haze right before setting. Golden Hour times change with the season, but if you can catch the sun before it goes down, then your lighting will be, well…golden!
Find your light!! If Tyra Banks taught me anything while watching America’s Next Top Model, it was “Find your light!” This simply means being aware of where your light source is coming from and making sure that it is working for you and not against you. You want to be facing the light so that you are not backlit, where no one can see you. Turn toward the light and use it as a tool to help you show off your work!
Beautiful outdoor lighting.
Taken in a doorway
Tip # 2: Choose the right BACKDROP!
Choosing backgrounds for your photos can be a little tricky. They can help tell the story of your garment or they can completely distract from it.
My favorite places to use as backdrops are:
In front of simple walls or buildings. Choosing a nice, simple wall as the background for your garment is never a bad idea. It’s not distracting from the garment and gives a chic feel to the photo, especially if it’s a shaded wall! If using a wall, you’ll want to make sure it is a complementary color to the color of your garment.
Natural Settings. Using nature as the backdrop for your creation is like a match made in heaven. What could be more beautiful than your crochet garment up against a beach, a flower field, or a beautiful forest? You don’t need to travel to an exotic location to find beautiful natural settings. Find a place with pretty trees or grass—anything that gives context for your garment without distracting from it.
One more tip before we move on! Make sure there aren’t random objects or items in the background of your photo. I can’t tell you how many garden hoses, bicycles, and other random things I’ve edited out of photos because they distract from the beautiful garment. Keep this in mind when figuring out the framing for your photo so that YOU are the star!
Natural setting
Simple Wall
Tip #3: WORK IT!!!
My favorite kind of models are CONFIDENT models! Relax, take a deep breath, pull those shoulders back, and give us that pretty smile or smize (smile with the eyes). Choose poses that make you feel powerful and best showcase what you made. Taking photos of yourself can be nerve-racking and bring out all kinds of insecurities, so be kind to yourself in this process. TAKE LOTS OF PHOTOS!!! It is the norm for all of us to only like a few photos out of tons of options. If you only like 1 photo out of 100, there is nothing wrong or weird about that! Posing is a chance to express your own unique style, so be creative, go with the moment, and have fun!
Tip #4: Make it a Flat Lay!
We love a good flat lay! This simply means laying the WIP or completed project on a flat surface with any other styled items that you choose. Show us your yarn, favorite book, mug, or flowers along with your project. This is a great chance to get creative and show off your work.
Tip #5: Editing
Keep editing simple. I like to edit photos as little as possible to make sure you’re seeing the photo as it would appear in real life. Avoid harsh filters and over-saturation. Make sure not to crop the photo too tightly, cutting off parts of the garment or body in an unflattering way. Don’t feel confident editing? No problem! Send me your unedited photos, and I’m happy to do it for you!
I hope you find this helpful!
Follow this little guide to show off your work and feel confident doing it! Along with your photos, send me the yarn you used and any other fun facts about your project that I can share. Of course, you can always reach out to me with questions or style tips, and I’m happy to help. I can’t wait to see what you make!!
Xoxo,
Dominique