Let me start by saying how thankful I am for everyone who filled out the survey (if you haven’t, you can HERE). Your feedback means so much to me and helps me plan for the weeks, months and next year ahead and what all of that can and will look like for TLSM.
With that said, there has already been a resounding request for more life check-ins and blogger behind the scenes kind of posts, to which I am happy to oblige! It’s funny because blogging has changed a lot since I started nearly six years ago from the more “here is my life” kind of posts to the “here’s what I can offer you / you can learn” kind of stuff. I think both are great in their own ways, so I hope to keep finding ways to merge the two into one.
Anyway, today I am going to take that request for a behind the scenes sneak peak and grant you that wish. Hang on, friends, blogging is not all photo shoots, social media, and free stuff; it’s a lot of work, trial and error, and awkward setups.
Contrary to how it may seem at times, no one follows me around with a camera 24/7. In fact, that’s only happened once, otherwise it is usually me, my iPhone and some strange setup in hopes I capture the photo I want. Sometimes I do; sometimes I chop off my head.
Speaking of weird setups…I was so proud with how the photos turned out for this 10 minute Medicine Ball Circuit. I’m not the most graceful or photogenic model, but in general, I felt like I was really upping my game.
But those photos aren’t all they seem. To get the right camera angle, I had to prop a milk crate on my coffee table and I hung a sheet with push pins into the ceiling between the living room and dining area. This is where it really pays off to be creative with your resources.
Other times, the plan for photo shoots just doesn’t work out…like when you plan to take a picture leaning against a wall, only to realize it is covered in bugs. This moment was a pause of “uhhh…uhhh…what now? This is NOT happening…”
Or when the weather takes a turn and unless you’re looking for that wet dog look, you change your plans.
Speaking of weather, one afternoon I was just minding my own business, blogging away when the weather took a major turn. With a tornado warning and hours of sirens, the only thing I could do was take shelter; so I did, in my closet, with pillows and my laptop to try and distract me until the storm passed.
I have mentioned before that I’m not the most fashionable girl. Sure, I make sure I look (mostly) put together when I walk out of the house, but when I’m home on the weekend with no plans to leave, all bets are off…except when you just need that shot. As in this shot…
What you don’t see, is the hot mess happening in the rest of the pic…
As bloggers, we have to be creative and evolve as the industry does, at least if we want to keep growing and stay at least semi-relevant. A couple months ago, I took a black box, removed the dividers and spray painted the whole thing white.
Plan? It has become my flat-lay box for blog or IG photos. It’s far from perfect and I’m feeling the need for it be upgraded soon, but it has come in handy a time or two, there is no doubt about that! I swear, you wouldn’t even know in the photo below!
Well that’s it, friends. A little sneak peak in the behind scenes and makings of TLSM. It’s nothing fancy or crazy, just a little creativity and a whole lotta crazy. 😉
[ctt title=”The life of a blogger: a little creativity and a whole lotta crazy!” tweet=”The life of a blogger: a little creativity and a whole lotta crazy! via @iamkatiearnold http://ctt.ec/mCoM1+” coverup=”mCoM1″]
Fellow bloggers – do you have any funny blogging or social media hacks?
Non-bloggers – did anything surprise you?
Ha that is such an amazing post! We really do get ourselves into weird situations to get the perfect shot or get our work done.
La Belle Sirene
courtney recently posted…#InspiredBeauty | Rexall’s New Beauty Department – The Next Beauty Destination
This is amazing. I relate to this so much 😛
I feel like the weather is our worst enemy. Trying to take pictures and then it gets all dark and stormy is so annoying!
I love these kinds of posts! I think people have a real misconception about what blogging for a living actually looks like so it is nice to see some realness!
I love posts like these! Such a fun way to get a closer look into your life.
hahaha I love this. If you could only see whats really in my photos and not just propping things up!
I love this! It takes so much work to be a blogger…especially in getting the best photos!
Jessica recently posted…Fun Fall Activities for Toddlers
Katie! I love this 🙂 And yes, you’re right–being a blogger requires a lot of outside-the-box thinking, all the time. I actually read a post recently with a famous (or well, online famous) Instagram blogger who went to Lowe’s to purchase a white marble tile that she uses for all of her flat-lays. It’s interesting to see what goes on behind the scenes (LOVE the socks on the wall and your creative spray-painted box). 🙂
Charlotte recently posted…Wordless Wednesday 10/12
Hahaha I loved this! It’s seriously SO true!
This was so much fun! I loved looking behind-the-scenes of your blog! 🙂
Crystal // Dreams, etc. recently posted…Book Tour // The Girl in the Castle by Santa Montefiore
That is awesome! I just posted an outtake on IG today!
Smitha @ Running with SD recently posted…Wednesday #GIVEAWAY Roundup – #WinAllThePrizes!
I’ve definitely also taken a photo for Instagram while lying on the floor with my legs up against the wall! It’s so funny, but it works! And I went and bought two pieces of cheap foam core at an art store so that I could have a white background for flatlays! Makes life so much easier…
Nellwyn recently posted…Perfect Pumpkin Pie
Thanks for the creative inspiration. I never thought about spray painting the inside of the box for a flat lay shoot. It’s funny how much effort can go into getting one perfect shot. Or half wash decent shot. Thanks for a behind the scenes look.
So cute! I love this behind the scenes idea! What a cool post. You are too cute. The bug thing had me cracking up.
Jessica Bradshaw recently posted…Riviera Spa Massage and Facial
Oh the tings we do to get the right shot! So fun 🙂
Oh yes this is so true! We set up random “scenes’ for our products, and just dress half our body for a photo! Love this post!
This is perfect! Love seeing behind the scenes. It takes a super creative person to be a blogger, and you’re doing a terrific job!
Sara
Whatthegirlssay.com
This is so much fun! I really enjoyed reading and taking a look bhind the scenes! I love seeing how other bloggers do what we do.
Oh I love this box idea!!! how fun, I just bought some foam board (white) to try and cheaply create the same thing…but heck I love this ‘free’ way!!! And I so relate to the pics…sometimes I find myself stacking the strangest things ups in hopes of getting the right angle, height, et…when my boys are bit older I’ll have them help!
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