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Maggie Whitley

joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith & simple living

You are here: Home / inspiration / guest bloggers / {guest blogger :: Allora Handmade}

{guest blogger :: Allora Handmade}

July 22, 2010 · 28 Comments
Filed Under: guest bloggers

Jessica of Allora Handmade is blogging here today and I can’t wait to have you read her words.

Not only is her blog darling but she makes those ULTRA DARLING fabric flower earrings. I now proudly own two pairs {mustard and baby blue}. I wear them constantly. Anyways, this is supposed to be a preview of HER and not ME!

Have you ever head of the Queen Bee Market? Yeah, Jess does that.

Be sure to follow her on Twitter!

Photographing Your Handmade Items

When Gussy asked me to guest post on how to photograph your handmade items, I first had to check and make sure she had the right girl. I mean, afterall… there are days when my pictures all turn out like this:

(mostly when I make the mistake of trying to play photographer with a 2 and a half year old and a 1 year old hanging off my legs.) But some days things turn out a little better.

Here are my best tips:

    1. Let your product do the talking. Make sure your customer has the chance to really get to know your product from your photos. After all, you are trying to convince them to spend their hard earned money to buy something that they’ve never seen in real life! Make sure your product has center stage and has a voice. If your product is bold, your photo should read bold. If it is frilly and girly, your picture should have the same mood and tone.

    2. Light it up. Light is THE MOST IMPORTANT element of photography. Product photography is no different. Natural light will make a huge difference in how your photos turn out. Pinky swear me right now that you will not take your pictures late at night with all the lights on and your flash aglow because you just have.to.get.it.listed.right.now. (Been there.) Your products will look one million times better (statistical fact) if you go to bed and try again in the morning by a natural light source. Become good friends with your windows. Set up a table nearby and let your handmade lovelies really glow in that sweet pure light.

    3. Style it pretty. Your customers are buying more than just an item. They are buying your brand, your style, your vibe. I love to incorporate some of my favorite things in my photos. Lately you can find my vintage yellow rose table cloth in the background. I figure if people like my product, most likely they’ll dig my personal style as well. This may set you apart from someone else who is selling something similar, so give your goodies a little extra oomph with styling.

    4. Get up close and personal. I think close-ups are essential in product photography. Again, there should be no surprises when your customer receives their package in the mail. Show them your attention to detail. Let them see the intricacies of your handiwork. Don’t be afraid to use different angles so the customer gets to interact with the product and decide they must.have.it.now!

    5. Put it to work. Wherever possible, get pictures of your items in use. Sometimes it means finding a friend willing to have their face all over your shop if you bake her favorite peanut butter brownies. Or it can be requesting pictures from past customers who love your product. When customers see your goodies in use it is easier for them to picture your product as a part of their life.

A few things to invest in/make sure you have on hand for a photo shoot:

I do things on the cheap, so other than the camera itself, these are all free or things you already
have.

    1. A camera. Duh. You don’t have to have a fancy camera, but something quick and handy that doesn’t make you want to poke your eyes out is good. I use a starter DSLR just for the speed and option to shoot in manual, but a simple point-and-shoot will do the trick as well.

    2. A basic organizing/editing program like Picassa by Google. I don’t have the time to photoshop my pictures, but a simple program can really make a big difference. Make your life easier by being able to brighten things up, crop, sharpen, etc. Definitely not rocket science, but it will help improve the quality of your images. Picassa is really easy and free to download.

    3. Natural light. I know we already pinky swore on this one. No substitute for natural light. If you don’t have it, don’t shoot. Period.

    4. A background. Your background could be something as simple as a white table or a window sill. It could be the page of a book or your favorite dish. It should reflect your style, be complimentary to your product, and still allow the product to be the leading lady.

    5. Time! Sometimes I forget how long this part of the process takes. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to get the shots you want and edit them the way you want them. This is the last and final step in your creative process, so give it the attention that you have given all of the other steps. It ain’t over till you’ve made it pop off the page!

    Now go have fun!


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28 Comments
Filed Under: guest bloggers

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Comments

  1. Elizabeth says

    July 22, 2010 at 7:16 am

    I enjoyed your post! I really like the idea of adding your own style to the pictures! I am a fan of vintage tablecloths too and your looks lovely under your beautiful items!

    Reply
  2. Libby says

    July 22, 2010 at 7:46 am

    Great advice! Love your pictures.

    Reply
  3. karen says

    July 22, 2010 at 8:21 am

    Great post idea and well done! I agree with you on the natural light and Picasa. I use Picasa, but there are many people who are unaware of this free and easy program, so I’m glad that you mentioned it. Lovely pictures! Thanks!

    Reply
  4. alison says

    July 22, 2010 at 9:15 am

    Loved the pictures. Now I want every. single. one. of those items! I do have a set of bobbies on their way to me (my first Allora purchase), and I can not wait to receive them!

    Reply
  5. Stacey says

    July 22, 2010 at 10:09 am

    This is something I am still trying to get just right… this post is perfect. I totally agree about the natural lighting. That has proven to give me the best pictures time and time again. Thanks a lot for this excellent post!

    And PS, I love love love your products. They are just right. I can’t wait until I can afford to get ahold of some for me and my daughter <3

    Reply
  6. Emmy says

    July 22, 2010 at 10:45 am

    So glad to know that I am not the only one that relies on Picasa! I always kind of feel like I’m cheating because it is so easy to use and makes such a huge difference with my photos! I thought I needed to be fancier so I even went out and bought Photoshop Elements… and I have never used it. Picasa does the trick every time. And I couldn’t agree more about the natural lighting… always worth the wait. All great tips… it kills me when I see a shop that clearly has a great product, but lacks appeal due to lackluster photography! Great posting!

    Reply
  7. Sandy a la Mode says

    July 22, 2010 at 12:14 pm

    all too often i take photos at night b/c that’s the only time i have!!! but she is soo right, natural light pictures are soo much better! guess that means i should sleep earlier and wake up earlier so i can take photos before work!!

    Reply
  8. Krysten says

    July 22, 2010 at 1:18 pm

    Loved this interview, the info and all those lovely products!

    Reply
  9. ScrapHappenswithAngie says

    July 22, 2010 at 1:24 pm

    Thanks for all of your tips!! I find photography the hardest part about listing my products!! I’ll definitely take all your tips.

    BTW, your shop is amazing!!! Thanks so much for sharing with us. I’d love for you to take a look at my store if you get the chance too. Thanks!!

    Reply
  10. Lori says

    July 22, 2010 at 1:51 pm

    Thanks for this post. So many people say that you need so many expensive supplies to take great photos. I have moved my photo shoots to the great outdoors for my natural light source.

    Reply
  11. Jessica Lane says

    July 22, 2010 at 3:01 pm

    LOVE your shop and your beautiful items. So very pretty!

    Reply
  12. Southern Gal says

    July 22, 2010 at 3:58 pm

    Off to try Picassa.

    Reply
  13. Megan Lane says

    July 22, 2010 at 7:31 pm

    what a helpful and well-written post! your photos are fantastic, jessica! will definitely keep your tips in mind next time i photograph a new item. loooove your products by the way!

    Reply
  14. Moriah says

    July 22, 2010 at 7:55 pm

    what awesome advice, and so helpful! makes me want to go redo my entire shop right now! ha ha i just might…

    Reply
  15. Andrea says

    July 22, 2010 at 9:16 pm

    Thanks! So helpful!

    ( I definitely added Allora Handmade to my reader )

    Reply
  16. Cindy says

    July 22, 2010 at 10:21 pm

    Your style is amazing, sooooo girly, so romantic, so fun!

    Reply
  17. Liliai says

    July 23, 2010 at 1:16 am

    Wow those are absolutely beautiful, the photos are good too :D

    Reply
  18. Amy K says

    August 7, 2010 at 6:09 am

    Great inspiration in your post – tfs all these tips!

    Reply
  19. Julie says

    August 7, 2010 at 8:04 am

    Thanks so much! I didn’t know how important the right photos were to selling when I got started and know I can’t wait to retake all my photos. I took so many photos in the dark because I wanted to get it listed before my kids woke up! I have a bunch of items that I wanted to list but I am waiting until I have the time to really take the photos right. Thanks!

    Reply
  20. Kara says

    August 7, 2010 at 8:36 am

    These are some great tips, thanks for sharing!! You have beautiful items!

    Reply
  21. Kristen Duke Photography says

    August 7, 2010 at 9:20 am

    Great tips. I don’t sell items, but I take pics for some people that do. If I go to a shop with bad pictures, I can’t look beyone that to the item they are selling. Sad, but true.

    Reply
  22. Kristi-Punkin Seed Productions says

    August 7, 2010 at 9:22 am

    Thank you so much for the tips. You have beautiful items and it’s fun to find your blog!

    Kristi
    Punkin Seed Productions

    Reply
  23. Julie in Edmonds says

    August 8, 2010 at 10:11 am

    (bonking myself on the forehead) You’re right. You’re right! I have taken so many pictures at night with the lights blazing and no matter how I try to tweak them the color doesn’t come out right. Thank you for your great tips. Pinkies up. :)

    Reply
  24. PeaceLoveTerri says

    August 11, 2010 at 2:39 pm

    Awesome! Thanks for the tips!

    Reply
  25. KooKooCraft says

    February 17, 2011 at 10:38 am

    Great advice, thanks!

    Reply
  26. So says

    June 14, 2011 at 4:20 am

    Thank you for this, I really have to stick to ” no light, don’t shoot”. Sometimes I just want to take a quick shot, but taking pics is not to be taken lightly!
    “5. Put it to work. Wherever possible, get pictures of your items in use.” I have to think about this one, because an other sound is (in case of jewellery) that a model can be distracting. Maybe it depends on the item, because this hairband (example) looks better with the model than on itself.
    Thanks again, I really need to invest more time and re-take some photos.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Photography « iMake says:
    October 31, 2010 at 8:18 am

    […] Gussy’s blog […]

    Reply
  2. Product Photography: Tips on taking better pictures of your products « Sew Chic and Unique says:
    February 17, 2011 at 8:14 am

    […] i end this post i SERIOUSLY advise you read  Photographing your Handmade Items by Jessica of Allora Handmade who shared her  great tips with […]

    Reply

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ABOUT MAGGIE WHITLEY DESIGNS:
Maggie Whitley weaves her writings around joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith, and simple living. She homeschools her children, enjoys a quiet room while reading, and roars with laughter over the challenges & delights of motherhood. Maggie and her husband, along with their four young children, live in metro-Detroit. She has been writing online since 2008.
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maggiewhitley

JOY in motherhood & homemaking 🧺🌿💓✨

maggiewhitley
Reflecting on this today 💓🕊 When I reflect o Reflecting on this today 💓🕊 When I reflect on the moments I’ve felt my mind spinning, my emotions swirly, it’s almost always when I’m not feasting on the word of God. Not that reading scripture is the cure for anxiety —no! Rather, it’s hard to worry when we’re worshipping.
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#womenintheword #wearethehomemakers #scripture #dailyintheword #titus2woman #healthylifestyle #mentalhealth #anxiety #anxietyawareness
Current backyard status: stunning in wonder ❄️ Current backyard status: stunning in wonder ❄️✨
A quiet night: the furnace is running, the tea is A quiet night: the furnace is running, the tea is hot, and the whisper of a page turning. ♨️☕️📖 // We are breaking from school this week, my plan is to read a lot, walk a lot, and rest a lot. How about you?

#mothersofinstagram #tea #winterreading #hygge
I fought every internal comment I could think of a I fought every internal comment I could think of and took my kiddos for a looooong walk today before dinner. ❄️✨ There’s just so much work required to raise children! I’m feeling like a tired lady. But sunshine & fresh air are good companions to keep around. 

We came home and I made “the best dinner ever”. Max specifically announced, “it’s so great you’re launching new meals to the world”. LOL— kids! 🤣👏🏻💓
How about a little Wednesday night introduction? 😘Social media sure has changed over the years and we don’t always SEE who we’re following or remember WHY we’re following certain accounts. 

So, hello! As you can gather, my name is Maggie ;) 

I started writing online (almost 13 years ago) to share the handmade products I was sewing. My shop was called Gussy Sews. ✂️👛I love the community that has grown from sewing & sharing online.

Let’s FFW to today: Zack and I live in Michigan and have four young children (2 boys & 2 girls). I slowly left the handmade industry and walked right into homemaking, homeschooling, and encouraging women through writing. 💕📝

Motherhood has been very hard on me. (And not just because of how close in age our four children are.) It’s been hard for me because I fought for years to accept that *it’s supposed to be hard*. 

I mean, how do you effectively teach another person to know and love the Lord? Bc that’s how I think of motherhood: a calling to nurture others by studying the One who nurtures me. So I gotta make the first move: study the Bible and seek Him first. As my friend Autumn reminded me, vulnerability births transformation. 

(I’ve had to be really vulnerable!)

So, yes motherhood has fully transformed me. But even more so, Christ has fully transformed me. My list of “all that He’s done for me” is off to a beautifully long start.

Something else I want you to know about me: I stalled for years before acknowledging I have anxiety and depression. It’s hard to talk about this because of course this isn’t forever “my hardship”, but rather because acknowledging this means to heal I have to work through some really difficult things. ✨

But my friend Jesus walks alongside me. He’s already done a mighty work in my heart, including helping me process my anger in healthier ways. I’ve also adopted a heart for sisterhood, mothering, and Titus 2 mentorship.

Sometimes our greatest losses are our greatest gains? That’s what I’m clinging to!

How about you? Tell me something about yourself so I can get to know you on a deeper heart level. 🖤🖤
How do you play in the winter? // We had a really How do you play in the winter? // We had a really great time visiting family in northern Michigan. On my blog I share a few ways we played outside, plus I describe a memorable childhood game ❄️☃️. Did you play it as a kiddo?
We had gotten a bit lazy with our rhythms: screens We had gotten a bit lazy with our rhythms: screens in the morning (HGTV), playtime before lessons, and not enough quiet time after lunch. This made for a really, ummm, unenjoyable learning experience. 

But today! Today we reset the rhythm, and we have had a much happier home & time learning together. 👏🏻
Visit my stories for a quick message from ME — t Visit my stories for a quick message from ME — think outside the box in terms of how you view the definition of “motherhood” 💓😘 (also: look at my little friend, she’s sooooo snuggly)
It’s another cold, winter day. ❄️Today I hop It’s another cold, winter day. ❄️Today I hope to bundle up for another family nature walk, knowing the fresh air sweeps out any & all frustration, inviting inspiration inside. ✨That’s something we all need more of.
seriously LOL: I’ve found the secret to calming seriously LOL: I’ve found the secret to calming the Laundry Beast (as a family of 6). Who wants the inside scoop? ✔️🧺👏🏻
Another batch of “fun mail” is headed out tomo Another batch of “fun mail” is headed out tomorrow :) small celebrations like this are very life giving! PS. thinking of starting a zoom book club — I need more sisterhood in my life. 👏🏻📖
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Breakfast with Buzz! If only you could see his ful Breakfast with Buzz! If only you could see his full costume and laser blaster and of course the Buzz action figure he flys around 🌟💚💙💨someone has discovered a superhero crush! #joyinmotherhood #slowmornings #surprisedbymotherhood // Landon @ 2.5yo
Today on my blog I have a list of books I hope to Today on my blog I have a list of books I hope to read this year. Plus my reading goal for the year. And a few practicals ways I fit in reading as a mama of four young children & homeschooling them. Basically, all the good stuff ☺️💓📖 #maggiewhitleydotcom #readersofinstagram #read #readmorebooks
It was the perfect opportunity to rearrange the fu It was the perfect opportunity to rearrange the furniture as we took the tree down Tuesday midday. Def one of my fav things to do.🎄👋🏻 We made it through our first week back to school since mid-December! It was rough to begin but ended with high fives. ⭐️✏️This morning I zoomed with a mama friend and I’m impressed with the many topics we covered. Sisterhood is sooooo necessary! ☕️👩🏽‍🤝‍👩🏼

Just a few cheery memories from my week! How about you?
Book reading! One of my best “Maggie” activiti Book reading! One of my best “Maggie” activities. I finished my last book moments before 2020 ended, which brought my started list to a close. Small joys add up to big joys ;)

What are you reading this year? Currently?

How many books are you planning to read? What’s your goal?

I’ll share what’s on my list for 2021 soon as I received some nice titles at Christmas. 📖✨🤍
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