Being Resourceful As A Photographer
One thing that can be very overwhelming when you’re just beginning as a food or lifestyle photographer is the feeling that you need to have a huge studio or a large prop cupboard. Seeing others work online can make you feel like “ooo I need that too” or “I’d like to try that surface, “ and then the next moment you know your list of things to buy or find is long and scattered. I certainly have little to nothing when I began experimenting in my cottage. I worked with what I had…a few random antique plates I found on Etsy, a mismatched set of cutlery, and an old dusty table I found stashed away in one of the back rooms. I wasn’t in love with the natural light in my cottage so rather than forcing it, I just set up outside instead which led me to my love of dappled light. An unexpected discovery! I thought about collecting multiple surfaces to work on, happily added those to my basket online but those added up quickly, so I took a pause and thought, do I even really need these? Do these even feel like me? Or do I think I need these because thats what I see online? Often we think we need something in order to achieve a specific end or look, but in reality, we really are just chasing something else it represents (so true about life in general no?)
Being an entreprenur, a creative one at that, requires you to get a little scrappy, resourceful, and show grit. Thankfully, I’ve got all of those in abundance and found my way around hurdles of sourcing props, finding backdrop options and the like. In one way, it’s very clarifying too because with a limited budget you have to be very specific on what aesthetic feels true to you. I’ve found the clearer you are on who you are, what you do, your story, your signature style, what makes your work you, makes sourcing what you need with a limited resources and budget all the more easier. It saves you from wasting money and time as you continue to evolve and grow. Starting small with key peices that you absolutely adore is a good place to start. Personally, I’m uninspired to photograph things I don’t find particularly beautiful or appealing. I can, of course, create a photograph for a client in their aesthetic, but I’ve often found it’s a rough ride as if I’m nudging an unruly, trepidatious horse ahead on a trail he doesn’t want to go on…undoubtely there will be a few jostles and jerks along the way. Beautiful pieces and spaces are what bring me joy in my work, so without those it feels empty, forced, and soul less.
Once you are clear what you’re after, your story as a photographer, and what light’s you up, you can then start getting creative on how to find or achieve what you’re after. That’s not to say there is no room for evolution or play, thats inevitably part of the process. Being resourceful is just another key component to success in the macro and mico picture. These are a few basic items that I’ve found invaluable and continue to use everyday:
Linen cloth: If you don’t have a nice table top or surface, use a pretty neutral linen instead. Or alternatively, if the wood is kind of stained or splattered with paint, you can cover those spots up by layering textures and fabrics into the frame. (I left my out table outside over night once and it was covered with bird droppings the following morning due to a nest I didn’t see. I tried scrapping it away but there still are some spots I had to patch out with photoshop or hide with a napkin!) A linen cloth will work wonders to cover shabby table.
Raid your mother’s or grandmother’s cupboard and cabinets : Or whoever is willing to lend you a few dishes or pieces for a weekend experimentation or shoot. They often have buried treasures that are covered with dust, longing to see the light of day again and put to good use. Even if you use it for a flower vase it’s worth asking! If they aren’t particularly attached to it, ask if you can buy it or borrow it for some time as you continue to discover your own style.
Foam core: This is an inexpensive but oh so handy little piece of lighting equipment. Any craft store will have it in multiple sizes and it acts as a bounce board for a fraction of the price of a professional model. Look for white and black if you can; the black enhances and casts shadows while the white side acts as a reflector.
Bed sheets or linen: Any extra bed sheets laying around in your linen closet will make for interesting backdrops and reflectors. Try taping them up over a window or kitty cornered around a window to control or diffuse the light. A sheer white and a solid black are so versatile and they are easy to move and take down.
Planks of scrap wood: You may not have access to old wood or doors, but if you like antique or know someone who has nice scrap wood it may be worth asking around. Maybe even paint or stain one or two if they are a decent size. I found some old pieces of wood in the cottage and old spare doors that may work (haven’t use them yet!) for a backdrop. They cost nothing and with a little brushing and sanding they turned out quite nice.
Scour yard/boot sales or estate sales: I love antiquing and hunted for treasures, things that were once loved and can now have a new, proper home and put to use in my kitchen. Often the items are far less expensive than buying something new and it gives you a little room to play and grow into your unique style without a heavy price tag of buying from a modern box store alternative.
Trade with another creative or local business: Are you looking for some website help or in need of some marketing tips? Consider trading your services with a fellow buisiness or creative. Maybe you can trade some head shots for their company in exchange for a new SEO reboot? What can you trade in equal value to help out each other?
Lean on a friend: If your light or space are lacking, perhaps you can use a friend’s space for a shoot. Do they have gorgeous apple orchard that would compliment your visual story? Or maybe reach out to a local farm or place you’d love to capture in your area and see if they would allow you to come shoot for a day in exchange for photos. I’ve done this before and they were happy to oblige if given location credit and use of the photos for their marketing purposes.
Use a free photo gallery hosting service: I use Pixiset to share my photos with clients. Its so easy, beautiful and streamlined. The best part, the basic plan is free and it looks completely professional. It has many beautiful options for gallery designs and allows you to email the photos directly to your clients within your portal. You can customize it to your liking and share your work with prospective clients.
Take stock of your house: Sometimes if we live in a small place, we may compartmentalize…”this is my creative corner” or “This is where I shoot only” but doesn’t leave much room for freedom or flexibility. Take stock how the light changes throughout every season in your home. Is there a better window in the winter months than in the summer for a flat lay? I’ve schlepped my whole desk out in the hallway because the light was perfect for this particular shoot. (Being resourceful does take a little extra muscle and grit!) If you’re like most of us without a studio, don’t limit yourself to one set area in your home for your creativity. But if you do live with others, be mindful and respectful of the space as we creatives tend to want to spread out everywhere and leave it to be. (Guilty!)
