8 Ways to improve your knitting photos

Photos can make or break it for your pattern. Bad photos that don't show the item well will drive knitters away. If they can't clearly see the finished item, they won't try it at all. So here are some good and easy ways to improve your knitting photos for social media and sales!

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CLEAN YOUR LENS

I can't tell you how many times I have gone to take a photo, come back inside, and realized everything had a slight blur to it because I forgot to wipe the fingerprints off my lens. So first things first, make sure you wipe off your lens with a clean microfiber cloth to remove any dust and fingerprints for the clearest images.

USE PORTRAIT MODE

Portrait mode makes a huge difference with backgrounds. It blurs the background more than the normal camera mode, and brings the focus all onto your knitted item. You can still see props and things in the background, but it helps keep the viewers eye where you want it, which is on your knits!

USE A TRIPOD AND SELF TIMER

If you are modeling the item, like a sweater or scarf, you will want to invest in a quality tripod. This will allow you to take hands free photos and get shots that feel more candid. Then you can set the self timer to give yourself time to pose. Sometimes what I do is actually take a video, do all the poses I want, and then go back and take screenshots of frames I like. Sometimes the quality isn't as good as a normal photo, but it works great for quick social media sharing.

If you're using props and doing table-top images, you could always try this overhead tabletop adjustable phone tripod and light for easy shooting, even on rainy days!

USE NATURAL LIGHT

The quality of photos is very important. Natural light is almost always best. Now, this is indirect light, like in the shade. You want to avoid direct sun, because the light can be too harsh. Indoor lighting isn't great either - the artificial lighting makes it very hard to get colors right, and it's hard for phone cameras to capture details with that kind of lighting.

Take your knits outside in the shade or next to a window for photos. This will make sure the colors are most accurate and the fine details get captured to their fullest.

CONSISTENCY IS KEY

This will help with the next two tips below. Especially if you are aiming for a certain style or look on your Instagram page, you may want to have a small area where you can easily return to for photos. It has props ready, great lighting, and makes photo taking easier. You won't have to think as much with what you should do, and the overall look and feel of your photos will be consistent and visually pleasing when looking at the full gallery.

USE PROPS

Props can help tell a story. If they are delicate lace socks, maybe you want to take photos of them on a nice blanket, or with a fancy teacup, or maybe a few literature books. Props also help bring interest to your photos, it intrigues viewers eyes and makes them stay looking at your photo for a little longer. They can also help the viewers feel emotion, making a more emotional connection to you and help them remember you later on.

EDIT WITH CARE

All photos could use a little editing, but you want to be careful not to overdo it. Everyone has a different style as well, so play around with your phones edit settings and see what you like. Maybe you like a dreamy image, with less clarity, brighter highlights, minimal shadows, and a cool tone. Or maybe you like a warm, homey feel with warmer tones, low highlights, and vibrant colors.

BE CAREFUL OF 'STYLED' PHOTOS

What I mean by 'styled' is those photos that are more editorial. They tell a story. These images usually don't show off the finished item well, and you can't get a good feel for what it is truly shaped like. For example it's a photo of someone spinning around in a sweater, or a photo of a bandana in someone's hair. It's important that you also include basic images or flat lays that show off the item by itself without distractions. Lay it flat down on the ground and take photos. I have heard this a lot from knitters and crocheters, that designers don't ever have 'basic' photos that show the shape and design fully.

Make sure your photos answer basic questions. What does the neckline look like? What is the shape of the finished item, is there waist shaping? What does the sock heel look like? Does the bandana have long tails or is it triangular?

Thank you so much for reading, I hope you liked this article. If you found it helpful, give it a like! If you have questions, comment them below!

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