A Beautiful Mess Photo Idea Book: 95 Inspiring Ideas for Photographing Your Friends, Your World, and Yourself

A Beautiful Mess Photo Idea Book: 95 Inspiring Ideas for Photographing Your Friends, Your World, and Yourself

A Beautiful Mess Photo Idea Book: 95 Inspiring Ideas for Photographing Your Friends, Your World, and Yourself

A Beautiful Mess Photo Idea Book: 95 Inspiring Ideas for Photographing Your Friends, Your World, and Yourself

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Overview

Ready to show your photos some love?
 
Whether it’s of your sister’s smile, your morning coffee, or your new puppy, photos are a way to connect on Facebook and Instagram, keep a visual diary of our lives, and create momentos for future generations. Elsie Larson and Emma Chapman, creators of the mega-popular DIY style blog A Beautiful Mess, are in love with photographing everyday life. Here, they share that love with 95 all-new tips and photo challenges that will inspire you to style and snap better photos and then transform them into simple yet stunning projects and gifts. You’ll learn how to:
 


   • Take the most flattering self-portraits
   • Be your own stylist to turn dull, cluttered photos into pretty lifestyle photography
   • Capture adorable couple portraits
   • Turn everyday moments, hobbies, and rituals into amazing photos
   • Show off your favorite photos by turning them into handmade jewelry, home décor, and gifts
 
Packed with Elsie and Emma’s happy spirit and unique style, A Beautiful Mess Photo Idea Book will inspire you to capture your days, your friends, and your dreams in beautiful photos!

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780770434038
Publisher: Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed
Publication date: 08/13/2013
Pages: 240
Sales rank: 1,137,374
Product dimensions: 7.98(w) x 8.36(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Elsie Larson and Emma Chapman are sisters and the creative minds behind A Beautiful Mess (abeautifulmess.com), one of the world’s most popular DIY style blogs. Founded by Elsie in 2007, A Beautiful Mess covers craft, photography, recipes, decorating, style, and beauty. A Beautiful Mess has received press in Lucky, Bust, Readymade, and Southern Living magazines, and online at Design Sponge, Style Me Pretty, the Nest, and Apartment Therapy. Elsie and Emma are also the creators of a bestselling line of e-courses.

Table of Contents

Introduction 9

1 Capture Your Favorite People

Photograph Faces 14

Take Storytelling Portraits 16

Capture Genuine Emotion 18

Get Adorable Couple Photos 20

Take Cute Photos with Your Friends 22

Get a Great Family Photo 26

Photograph Your Pet 28

Capture Unique Personal Details 30

Get the Best Cell Phone (or Point-and-Shoot Camera) Photos 32

2 Add Backdrops and Props

Find Great Backgrounds for Outdoor Portraits 36

Make a Paper Backdrop 40

Make a Chalkboard Backdrop 42

Make a Fabric Backdrop 44

Make a Fabric Strip Backdrop 46

Find Props at Home 48

Make Your Own Props 50

Ten Ideas for Creative Lifestyle Props 52

3 Use Beautiful Lighting

Know How to Use Overcast Light vs. Direct Sun 56

Find Flattering Window Light 58

Take Portraits Using Christmas Lights 60

Take a Shadow Portrait 62

Take a Silhouette Portrait 64

Make the Most of Sun Flare and Backlighting 66

Photograph in Low Light 70

Make and Use Reflectors 72

4 Get Creative

Take Perfect Profile Pictures 76

Photograph Motion (Part 1): Moving Objects 78

Photograph Motion (Part 2): Wind 80

Photograph Motion (Part 3): Jumping 82

Take Wide Photos 84

Take Artistically Blurry Photos 86

Take Macro Photos 88

Create Atmosphere 90

Understand Depth of Field 94

Make Homemade Filters 96

Add Hand Coloring 98

5 Get Inspired

Take Amazing Photos of Your Home 102

Photograph a Collection 106

Capture Your Daily Routines 108

Capture Seasonal Details 110

Capture Your Life at School or Work 112

Photograph Your Daily Outfits 116

Capture Your Hobbies and Interests 118

Achieve a Goal through Photos 120

Photograph Food 122

Capture the Places You Go 124

Take Photos on the Go 126

Photograph Your Current Obsession 128

Photograph Music 130

6 Capture Yourself

Photograph Your Reflection 134

Hold the Camera at Arm's Length 136

Use a Self-Timer or Camera Remote 138

Our Favorite Makeup and Styling Tips 142

Our Favorite Wardrobe Tips 144

Our Favorite Hairstyling Tips 146

Take the Thirty-Day Self-Portrait Challenge 148

7 Challenge Yourself

Create a Diptych 152

Create a Triptych or Polyptych 154

Take a Photo from Above 156

Create an Upside-Down Photo 158

Wear a Costume 160

Re-create an Old Photo 162

Have Fun with Color 164

Choose an Inspiration Icon 168

Take the Black-and-White Photo Challenge 170

Have Fun with Outtakes 172

Focus on Something Unexpected 174

Have Fun with Paint 176

Take Photos in Public Places 178

8 Show Off your Photos

Invites for Every Occasion 182

Storybook Locket 184

Photo Transfer Lampshade 186

Memory Magnets 188

Photo Party Décor 190

DIY Business Cards 192

Grid Photo Wall Display 194

Photo Coaster Set 196

Make Your Own Silhouette 198

Custom Smartphone Case 200

Cupcake Toppers 202

Paper Plane Photo Wreath 204

Personalized Gift Tags 206

Personalized Holiday Ornaments 208

Classic Photo Gift Wrap 210

Canvas Photo Transfers 212

Family Portrait Pillows 214

Instagram Votive Candles 218

Organization Helpers 220

Homemade Guest Soaps 222

Vintage Wallpaper Scrapbook 224

Geometric Mobile 226

Memory Journal 228

Photo Fabric Drawstring Skirt 230

Refinished Photo Chair 232

DIY Travel Suitcase 234

Five Ways to Organize Your Photos for Future Projects 236

Our Gear: An Inside Look 239

Index 240

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