HOW DO YOU TAKE YOUR #OOTD PHOTOS?

The answer for that question is not “by camera. #doh.” or whatsoever related to the device I use to shot my #OOTD pictures. Being a style blogger, I’ve passed so many #OOTD photo shot because it’s one of the main content of this blog, and I got asked a lot about how I get it done each time. I think many people get curious about how someone literally update their social media with repetitive styling picture (almost every day in my case) and they want to know the process behind it. Whenever I got a question about it during interviews or casual meet-up, I’d pretty much explain the overall description: that I choose the clothes to wear on that day, then go out to take picture in purpose or sneaking to get some shots done during the current day activities. That’s all. Lately I learned that picture tells much more than a few wording elaboration, and until I post the visual answer, people will keep asking the same thing. So here we go, the complete behind the scene chronology of “How I Take My #OOTD Photos”.

PREPARATION 

If you blog about your day-to-day styling tips online, yes you have to prepare. Even if I just go out for a casual hang out I’d prepare myself just in case I go to a photo-friendly place (with few people, good background, etc). Here is what I usually need to consider:

1. Clothes 

The clothes that I’ll be wearing on the shooting day will depend on what event I’m going to. It can also relate to the collaboration I got at that moment or sponsorship task I have to shot by the day. I sorted the clothes and accessorize them before I wear all of those items on me just to make sure it looks fine.

2. Gear 

I use only DSLR camera to take my outfit pictures because of the quality. You don’t need to think much about the setting and everything – AUTO mode works for many cases if you’re taking outfit picture in the city (and during daylight). I usually set up some manual presets to maximize the result. My camera is Canon EOS 70D that I picked for its guaranteed image result quality and the fact that it has built-in Wi-Fi so I can easily transfer the photos to my phone after. Fixed lenses are the best, so either 50mm or 35mm lens with 1.4f is enough for me. Two last things to check are the battery and memory card. Then I’m ready to jet off.

EXECUTION 

So it’s time to take the outfit pictures. How do it looks? I’ll let you see one of my outfits photo-taking BTS with my blogger friend Anastasia Siantar below.

For the model, all they need to do is sitting pretty.

.... meanwhile, not the photographer.

It's good to exercise the muscles. Stretching, stretching.

Never mind the dirt - you can create taller height illusion from frog-eye level. You're welcome.

Try every possible angle for best result...

Usually you’ll get good pictures within minutes, but sometimes the clothes are harder to shot (detailed pattern, swing-y materials, darker colors) so you have to spend more time working on it. It’s crazier for the photographer actually, who have to deal with different angle and make funny poses along the way. I found this video on Youtube last time and it totally defines the Behind-The- Scene atmosphere well, so similar with what I got to get through! Embeded the video here so you can watch easily:

I can’t imagine how does it feel to shot a night sky! Or dive to get a beautiful still picture of a swan either! Those guys are crazy patient and I’m saluting them for that. Averagely it only took us from 10 to 20 minutes for regular #OOTD shots. After we got the photos, all we need is to select and edit! It’s not that hard, but it’s more complicated than what you might think too.

Taking #OOTD pictures, food pictures (don’t lie, I know you once climb on the chair to take the whole food on the table!), and smiling-family pictures can be challenging, but we do it anyway because we know we’re creating beautiful memories. By the end, every effort will be paid off. I take outfit pictures through bad and good days, and I keep doing it because it’s part of my passion and I know it helps other to find inspiration in a way or two.

Do you ever experience crazy photo-taking in life, too? What makes you do it? Shot me a comment and share the stories below!