The Dark Side of Blogging

I know blogging might look like it’s all macarons and free phone cases, but it’s not.

There’s a dark side to everything. Sometimes it’s actually very hard and stressful.

Sometimes you have to beg your mom to go to a random alley with you and take photos of you next to a “good wall” by a floating staircase because you need more photos for blog posts because you’re feeling insecure and left behind in a world where fashion bloggers dominate and even though you’re not a fashion blogger you still have to pay bills and oh my gosh why are we all taking the same dumb pics.

(kidding! ish.)

jeans! sweater!

“Move over, I keep getting the D in the picture.”

“The what?”

“The D, just step over a little.”

“Mom, I’m not sure what you’re talking about here. I think you and I have different meanings of the D.”

And so goes a Daily Tay photo shoot. They usually only last 5-7 minutes, but you’d be surprised how many arguments you can pack into that time frame.

In this particular “shoot” a nice gentlemen rode up on his bicycle and proceeded to watch and talk to us through out the entire thing. That was fun. Mind you, this was in Nebraska, not Chicago. So people on bikes in February aren’t exactly the norm. If there’s one thing I love in life, it’s when strangers watch me take uncomfortable photos. Best feeling ever.

But all awkward poses and “what should I do with my hands?” and “where should I look” and “should I cross my feet here or turn them in?” questions aside, I’m actually a little proud of myself for the strides I’ve made with my blogger photo shoots.

Look how far I’ve come since this photo. And I took this one just two years ago. It was my first “fashion photo.” Scrunchy, locked knees, and size 11 feet. Done and done!

We’ve gone from this, to this.

Um not bad, you guys! Might this one even be a little Pinterest worthy? Hey, I didn’t say it. You did.

I could show you 10 more photos of this outfit that are basically the same, but I think you get the idea. You can find everything I’m wearing right here. The wedges are only $49 and they fit very true to size. And the white denim fits like a glove. It’s March, everyone. Bring on the white jeans!

Blogging. What a weird and wonderful career choice I’ve stumbled upon. If anyone needs fashion photo advice, feel free to reach out! I have at least three go-to poses in my arsenal that never let me down.

1. Smile at camera.
2. Look away from camera, still smiling.
3. Cut off head and touch feet. But still smile.

Please don’t give away my secrets. I’ve worked years to master those poses.

And when in doubt, I just send my photos to Helene and politely ask her to edit them because she’s a magician and can make a cloudy day suddenly look sunny.

Blah photo vs BRIGHT photo. How does she do it? I don’t know. Luckily, she shares her secrets here.

Find the shirt on nebrowse. I ordered my last batch so when they’re sold out they’re gone for good this time. Don’t be without a fun shirt this St. Patrick’s Day. Treat yourself.

Finally, what are your blog photo secrets? Do share. We can all help each other out here. We shouldn’t have to face this world alone.

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18 Comments

  1. March 1, 2016 / 9:39 am

    Love this. Taking blog style photos is the most awkward thing ever, especially when people walk by! I take my camera and tripod and set that sucker on continuous shot and take about 70-100 photos in about 5 minutes. There's bound to be 4 or 5 good ones in there at the end;) I also do really awkward fake walking shots and the looking away while smiling stuff, it is so WEIRD. But it works? HA.

    • March 1, 2016 / 11:35 am

      Hmm…I need to find this continous shot thing on my camera. I know my point and shoot has that, but wondering if my DSLR has it while using the remote shutter…but yea, I only take pictures in my backyard, and even then, I think, I really hope my neighbors aren't look out of their back door right now!

  2. March 1, 2016 / 9:59 am

    haha love all of this and i wish Helene would do my editing pictures 😉 xo

  3. March 1, 2016 / 10:04 am

    I need to soak up all the photo taking advice anyone is willing to offer! My husband makes me feel so awkward when I'm trying to take photos so I generally do them when he's out of the house!! =P

    Melanie | Blog: Toots + Dill

  4. March 1, 2016 / 10:31 am

    I already bought 2 St. Patty's day shirts but I think I need that one. And this is so funny. I have no secrets, I am terrified of trying to take fashion blogger photos. I'll just stick to food and cocktails for now. They are my fraaands…

  5. March 1, 2016 / 12:21 pm

    I don't think I'll EVER get over feeling awkward taking those damn photos. i hate hate HATE IT. but i do like the editing process. I'm weird like that.

  6. March 1, 2016 / 12:23 pm

    Tay – was thinking about the shirt but not sure if I'd need a L or Xl.. I usually like them kinda lose so thinking XL…

  7. March 1, 2016 / 12:43 pm

    Ugh posing for blog pictures is a new thing for me too and I am not. good. at it… My only photographer option is my BF too, so thank goodness he's patient and puts up with me looking at the picture, and then directing him to do something differently. I don't know how fashion bloggers do it! (Literally I do not know how.. help).

  8. March 1, 2016 / 1:17 pm

    I always have felt weird asking a friend to take a picture of me. I just want to get the picture taken and over with as fast as possible that I hardly think out exactly how I should pose so I usually end up looking like a deer in headlights with bad posture.

  9. March 1, 2016 / 3:30 pm

    HA love this. I've gotten better but it's still so awkward sometimes to stand in front of a camera and make random poses. Your go-to's are also mine, as well as the good old "smiling at the ground while touching bag" look. CHIC.

  10. March 1, 2016 / 6:24 pm

    I'm so constantly awkward about photos of myself. I hate selfies but also hate asking others to take photos so the tripod things seems like a winner but then I still feel like a narcissistic loser. There's no winning in this world, just continuous self doubt.

  11. March 1, 2016 / 7:50 pm

    The fights that take place outside of my house in our neighborhood are the best ones for me and my husband 😉 He loves this shit. HA!

  12. March 1, 2016 / 9:35 pm

    I love the lets day drink.

    Her Heartland Soul
    herheartlandsoul.com

  13. March 1, 2016 / 9:56 pm

    I prefer taking my photos early in the morning to escape the stranger oogling me as I strangely pose.
    xoxo – katestylepetite.com

  14. March 2, 2016 / 10:10 am

    I used to be so shy about taking pictures! This little blog thing has gotten me past that in a big way. I have no problem whipping out my camera anywhere and everywhere. Love day drinking and the shirt, btw!
    Cheers, Emily
    http://www.waltzmetoheaven.com

  15. March 2, 2016 / 11:43 am

    I still struggle with taking photos in public, even out in front of my house because my neighbors think I'm nuts. Oh well, part of the territory right? I still never know what to do with my hands either – I'm going to try your shoe grab pose.

  16. March 3, 2016 / 9:10 pm

    This post is literally brilliant!!! Okay, scuze me gotta go click on that link to the shoes now….

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