9 Ways Practicing Still Life Photography Can Improve Your Social Media Blog
Still life photography is a unique subgenre of the craft. While you won’t have the same challenges present in wildlife photography or the often-uncomfortable human moments typical of photojournalism, capturing and presenting stationary everyday objects in a way that reflects your truth as an artist can be far more difficult than you might realize.
Fortunately, the fact that still-life subjects don’t usually move or fight back makes still life photography a rather accessible branch of photography. What’s more, because it’s virtually impossible to exhaust the creative potential of any single object, let alone a whole set of them together, even veteran photographers will find plenty to enjoy.
Likewise, if you’re a social media blogger, you’ll find plenty to like in still life photography, regardless of the niche you explore. Whether you’re running or managing a social media account or promoting a brand, knowing how to effectively integrate still life shots in your content can significantly enhance your online presence.
If you’re in LA and want to further explore still life photography in the Entertainment Capital of the World, you may want to rent a photo studio Los Angeles-based companies trust. The so-called Tinseltown is, unsurprisingly, home to dozens of different studios perfect for exploring a selection of themes and genres. If you’re still not sure if still lifes are for you, we’ve laid out 9 ways practicing still life photography can improve your social media blog.
Professionalism
On the internet, no one knows that you didn’t take advanced photography classes. Almost no one will bother to dig up those credentials because, for most people, the quality of your photos is the main indicator of how professional your content is. If you find yourself taking lots of product photos and other similar content, upping your still life photography skills should allow you to share more professional-looking content.
Visual Appeal
Even in cases where professionalism isn’t a priority, skills in still life photography can still be a major asset for your social media presence. Well-balanced, aesthetically pleasing photos add visual intrigue to your blog and help it break the monotony of text-heavy posts. Indeed, the success of photo-centric platforms like Instagram underlines the importance of attracting your audience with captivating imagery.
Storytelling
Each still life composition tells a story, allowing you to convey emotions or narratives that resonate with your audience on a deeper level. In many cases, you can use still life photos to tell more powerful, detailed stories than a near-infinite wall of text ever could.
Brand Aesthetics
You can amplify the mood and messages of your social media posts through carefully crafted still life images that complement your written content. If you’re able to keep things consistent, the visual narratives that you present through your still lifes can form your visual identity across your social media platforms. Over time, your carefully curated still life images can be leveraged to build a distinct professional or personal brand.
Product Showcase
Still life photography skills are especially useful in product photography. Whether you’re tasked with showcasing products or other items relevant to your niche, being able to do so in an artistic and appealing manner could drive engagement.
Collaborations
If you have a wide range of skills—including still life photography—then you’re a more viable choice for marketers who are willing to pay for quality influencer partnerships. Even if you find that these paid partnerships aren’t for you, being able to take great still lifes will still open doors to working with other brands and influencers, potentially expanding your reach.
Educational Content
If you create educational content, being able to produce good still lifes will go a long way in making your content valuable to learners. You can use various setups to illustrate concepts and document DIY projects related to your blog’s niche, preserving knowledge and making it more accessible. Your photos may even become a critical online learning resource.
Diverse Content
Still life photography can be used to expand the diversity of your content. If you’ve been posting a lot of videos, infographics, or written articles, offering your audience high-quality photos that tell a specific story can make visiting your online channels a richer experience.
Behind-the-Scenes Content
Still life photos can offer glimpses into your creative process, regardless of your niche. One common use of still life photography is to offer a behind-the-scenes look at work setups, as well as to show objects related to the aftermath of some important event. However you use them, still lifes can provide valuable insights into what you value and help foster more intimate connections with your followers.
Start Integrating Still Life Photos into Your Blog
Whatever your niche, integrating still life photography into your social media blog can significantly enhance the quality and real-world value of your content. However, it does take time to truly develop your own approach to this photography genre. If you want to up your still life game, rent out a photo studio and some starter equipment to get your hands dirty and develop a better understanding of what you need. Eventually, you can consider upgrading your own lighting, lenses, and other key camera accessories to take your craft—and your social media blogging—to the next level.
