How To Not Take Photos

Do you ever have this irrational fear of wasting a really good outfit on a totally insignificant day?

tory-burch-mini-satchel

F-k, man. That’s today’s post, in a nutshell. Kind of.

This look right here was supposed to be an incredibly inspiring outfit post for a night out about town, but somewhere in the mix of things, shit went awry.

Lydia (my photographer) and I photographed this outfit together about two months ago. When she sent me the proof sheet with all the photos she’d taken I LIT-ER-UH-LY had to pour a glass of wine and wipe away my tears (from laughing). What the hell is wrong with me?

You know how you buy something and it waits patiently in your closet until the perfect day arrives to be worn? That was me with this dress.

Ugh.

Well, apparently, I’ve developed this complex where I cannot take a normal shot. This makes Lydia’s job more fun, I think, and most mornings she is telling me to “think eye-opening thoughts” and that it’s okay, I just “have heavy eyelids.” What?

At any rate, it was decided. These gems are too good not to share. So…

Here’s what NOT to do when taking photos for your blog (or in life).

Let’s ease into it: This is often what Shot #1 looks like. (Come on, Lydia, I wasn’t ready!)

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Nope, still not ready.

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Okay, aaaand go:

DON’T… Be alarmed by that four-legged flying bug just landed on your chest. It’s fine.

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DO… Adjust your handbag. But DON’T be as ungraceful as I am.

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Maybe DON’T… Accuse random passers-by of trying to steal your stuff.

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And then DON’T try to talk about it with your photographer through non-verbal queues.

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DON’T… Do this.

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DO have fun with your photos… But DON’T laugh like this.

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Yes, it’s hot (was hot), but DON’T let on to how much you’re actually sweating.

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And when your photographer still has the camera in her hand, DON’T accuse her of snapping the shutter for the sole purpose of capturing your outtakes for her own personal benefit. You know she’s just adding to her own “Make Me Smile File,” (as I like to call it) but like, honestly. Can you blame her? This is desktop screensaver material.

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So, yes. There you have it.

Style blogging is a tricky game. There are a lot of fantastic fashion bloggers out there who crank out an arsenal of fabulous, inspiring Pinterest-worthy images. I suppose I’m one of them on occasion, but I can tell you with certainty (and at this point in the post you’ll likely agree): I am a goddamn expert when it comes to what not to do when taking blog photos.

To wrap up, here’s the lone normal-looking shot from our morning session — just for good measure. And if you’re wondering, the Outfit Gone To Waste is comprised of a Nicole Miller dress (here’s a similar option), Club Monaco vest, Tory Burch shrunken satchel and Sophia Webster heels.

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Oh, and one other thing: Outfit Outtakes Vol. 4 is coming soon… For a good laugh, I’d strongly suggest browsing the archives if you haven’t yet been acquainted to this series.

*CLICK TO SHOP: Sophia Webster heels (+ on sale) | Tory Burch handbags | this post (below):

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(Love you lots,) Lydia Hudgens Photography

38 comments

  1. Way to keep it real, Hallie! Taking outfit photos is my LEAST favorite part of blogging. NYC has this unwritten rule of anonymity where even if weird sh1t is going down, you kind of ignore and keep moving. Unfortunately, CLE does not. A well dressed woman accompanied by a photographer in a public space is a literal freak show! A few weeks back I made some new “friends” while shooting in an industrial area- the grittier side of town! There may have been bullet holes next to me

    • Aw, C-Town (#home)! I can imagine. That’s the nice thing about shooting in NYC — you can literally dress up in the most ridiculous ensemble possible and no one will pay any mind to you.

      It was like that in Chicago (where I used to live) for awhile; but don’t worry, you won’t notice them soon enough!

  2. I’m sorry. I heard nothing you said. I was too busy looking at you legs. GAHDANG, girl!! I need to do whatever you’re doing.

  3. this is so good. and for the record, this is usually what happens with me when i shoot with lydia. we end up catching up and chatting about how things are (you know, life) and meanwhile while i’m taking she’s shooting. and then i look at the contact sheet and it’s me with my mouth open in almost every single shot. that being said, you look amazing!

  4. Oh god, dying at this…if I had a dollar for every time I’ve had something similar happen, haha. Sometimes whoever’s shooting will take 100 photos and I’ll look at them and be like WHAT AM I DOING what is wrong with my face? Legit have pictures where my arms are raised like a zombie, too. Thanks for the laugh today (PS—you clearly looked great that day, crazy pics aside!).

  5. LOL I am glad I am not the only one who can take a ton of pictures and almost all of them be crazy. I do blame my non-professional husband photographer for some of the issues. This pictures may not have been the best, but the outfit was awesome! Those shoes are seriously to die for.

    Nikki
    thefashionablewife.com

  6. This is great! I don’t have a photographer to help me (my husband tries sometimes) so mostly it’s me, a tripod, and a timer. And the tripod can’t tell you if you look ridiculous.

    In outfit-related commentary. I still wish I’d splurged on that vest. Every time you wear it I get jealous!

  7. This was funny but true…my brother who shoots my photos just continues snapping even while I’m adjusting myself or still talking to him…I just haven’t been brave enough to share those outtakes like you do…you are more courageous than I am 😉 haha
    xo,
    Melissa
    MissyOnMadison.com

  8. You seriously just made my day! I wish I was half as funny as you, Hallie! You always know how to make light of a bad situation 🙂 Miss you!!! xox

  9. I’m dying. This is hilarious!! It always amazes me how many pictures I need to DELETE in order to find 5-6 blog-worthy gems. Glad to hear I’m not alone. The struggle is real.

    xoxo, Elena Michelle
    http://www.anewyorkloveaffair.com

  10. Hahaha loved these pics because they show the real “struggle” of taking pics for a fashion post! Love that you shared them with us because we can see for ourselves not everything is as perfect as it seems. Killer legs, btw!! I need those shoes!

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