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