Hello book lovers! Welcome to part 3 of my series about making the most of your Bookstagram. If you’d like to view part 1, Creating an Account, please click here. For part 2, Types of Posts, click here.
In this post, I will be covering photography and editing as it pertains to Bookstagram. Because this post is about how to make the most of your Bookstagram, I will be covering a lot of options. These are 100% not necessary to have a successful account. Please use this information to decide what works with your desired style, financial capabilities, and time/space commitments. Every instagrammer does things a little different, but hopefully this post will provide you with some fresh ideas to improve your photos.
This post will cover the following topics:
- Camera vs. Cell Phone
- Lighting
- Props and Backdrops
- Other Useful Equipment
- Editing Apps
- Filters and Presets
This post contains Amazon Associate affiliate links. If you choose to purchase products through these links, they will not cost you any additional money, but I will earn a percentage from qualifying purchases.
Camera vs. Cell Phone
This is really not as important a decision as it was in say 2010. Today’s cell phone cameras rival many digital cameras. They come with all the bells and whistles and produce great quality images without the hassle of requiring manual manipulation of iso, shutter speed, etc. (although many cell phones do support manual settings now). Additionally, Instagram was created with cell phone cameras in mind. There is an ease of having point, shoot, edit, and post all on one device and, for that reason, I’d say many, if not most, instagrammers use cell phone cameras.
That said, if you are looking for something that feels more professional, a DSLR (digital single-lens reflex camera) is the way to go. The options for DSLRs are endless and only you can decide what truly fits your needs. Though most bookstagrammers aren’t taking action shots, low-light, or landscape photos, if you are making the investment in a good camera, you’ll probably want to be able to use it for things other than taking pictures of books. DSLR cameras can range in price from a couple hundred to several thousand dollars. Many now come equipped with WiFi or Bluetooth capabilities that make transferring photos a snap. Some even have editing tools right on the camera! If this is the route you choose, do your research and make a solid investment.
With my own account, I use my cell phone. It is a Samsung Galaxy S8. Yes, My phone is over 2 years old and it does a good enough job on flat lays and other still shots. However, with the advent of reels, I’m really feeling the strain in terms of video quality. I’ll likely be looking to upgrade my phone soon simply for the better camera. Feel free to check out my account here. I do have reels posted and you can see how vastly different the quality is compared to my photos.
Lighting
If you’re the type of person that waits for the sunny days to take photos, you know good lighting can make or break your photos. Some newer cameras are better in low light than others and there is always the ability to increase the exposure in editing. However, you will never have the same quality of images in poor lighting that you would in good lighting. Luckily, we live in the age of social media influencers and there are numerous products on the market that can help.
Ring Lights
Starting with the smallest option is the LITTIL Selfie One, a clip on ring light that you can use right on your phone. It offers three different color options for cool, natural, and warm tone lights, however you cannot adjust the brightness. My favorite feature is that it is chargeable. Not having to be tied to a cord or worry about being close to an outlet is the best thing. This little guy is super portable, but still puts out great light. It’s also perfect for selfies, stories, reels, and lives!
Next we have a clamp style flexible phone holder and ring light. This one does have to be plugged in, but still puts out a lot of light. There are the same three color options, but this model features a brightness control option. It’s also a more flexible option than the traditional tripod. If you think you may be on unstable ground, or want the option of different angles (like flat lays), this light/phone holder combo is perfect.
Finally, there is your traditional ring light tripod. Many of these now come equipped with phone holders as well. As with the previous light, this one features 3 color settings and dimmable brightness.
Ring lights are great to start with, but they do have their limitations. Amateur tip: tape a piece of white paper over your ring light to help diffuse the light when photographing shiny book covers.
Softbox Lighting
The best at-home lighting solution that I can recommend is softbox lights. These are a bit of an investment and require a significant amount of space to set up/store. However, the result is far more professional. It is recommended to use softboxes in pairs to create a full wash of light without shadows. These are great for photographing larger areas like bookshelves, but also work for flat lays.
Light Boxes
Light boxes are often used for product photos, but they aren’t very common on Bookstagram. If you’re attracted to simple, clear photos that showcase just the book, they might be perfect for you. The one I have posted is one of the higher quality (read pricier) designs, but you won’t have to do as much work in editing if you invest in a better one. Feel free to shop around and try different options if this look fits you.
Props and Backdrops
Here’s where owning a light box may be the easier route to take. You won’t have to worry about having additional props or backgrounds besides books or your e-reader. Once again, if simple is your style, go for it! However, this area (along with editing) is where you can really experiment and discover a style to set yourself apart from other accounts.
Backdrops
Backdrops do not have to mean a physical photography backdrop that you hang or lay on the floor. There are many accounts that use places and items in their house as backdrops (also look outside!). Backdrops can be anything from a hardwood floor, crumpled bed sheets, your book shelves, a desk, a rug, a windowsill, you name it. Take a book around your house and take pictures in different locations to see if you like any. I used to take all my Bookstagram photos on top of a giant antique trunk until I purchased an actual photography backdrop.
If you do decide to purchase a backdrop, check reviews first. I bought several on Amazon that were subpar before finally investing in a decent one from Etsy.
Props
I could make a post just on prop ideas for Bookstagram. In fact, I may do so after this series is concluded. The fact of the matter is, there’s no limit to what can be used as a prop for your photos. Again, I recommend looking around your house first before purchasing anything. If you do decide to buy props specifically for your Bookstagram, try a variety of stores. I personally like Homegoods, antique stores, Michael’s, thrift shops, Save On Crafts, and the dollar store.
Here is a list of prop ideas to get you started:
- flowers (fake, dried, or real)
- candles
- confetti
- coffee mugs
- tea cups
- baskets and crates
- book sleeves
- Funko Pops
- crowns
- daggers
- bookends
- fairy lights
- other books
- picture frames
- enamel pins
- greenery
- book pages or sheet music
- succulents
- crystals
- pinecones or branches
- sewing notions
- lanterns or candle holders
- book marks
- art prints
- sweaters
- scarves
- blankets
Some people commit to using the same props every day or have a small set that they rotate within their theme. Others will use different props every day and still others will change with the seasons/holidays. I, personally, have had several different rotations of fake flowers, but my purple wisteria has been a staple of my account for nearly 2 years.
*The goal for your account branding should be to make yourself recognizable, be it by props, theme, filter, or style. You want people to see your photos and know they are yours without seeing your handle.
Other Useful Equipment
Tripod
If you want to be in any of your pictures (meet the bookstagrammer anyone?) or lack a steady hand, you may want to invest in a tripod. Some ring lights already have camera attachments, so if you get one there’s no need to get a tripod too. However, if you find yourself in need of one, these two are the kind I use most frequently:
Bluetooth Remote
You’ll notice that the two tripods above come with bluetooth remotes. I highly recommend this feature for photographing yourself. It is much more efficient than a self-timer. If you buy a tripod without one, they can be purchased separately.
Editing Apps
As I mentioned in my previous post, Instagram does offer some editing options prior to posting including filters, brightness, contrast, exposure, etc. There are many reasons for seeking a good photo editing app, most importantly that they provide so many more features to customize your photos.
Recommended Photo Editing Apps:
- Adobe Lightroom
- Google Snapseed
- VSCO
- PicsArt
- Canva (also great for creating story content)
- Adobe Photoshop or Photoshop Express
Most of these apps are free with additional in-app purchases available. You may find that you want different apps for different things. I use Lightroom for my main editing and presets, Canva for graphics, and PicsArt for adding images like book covers. I suggest picking one and testing it out. If you find that you love it, great! But if you miss other features, try another. Every person will have different preferences and some apps are more user-friendly than others.
Filters and Presets
Filters and presets are an excellent (and easy) way to create a cohesive theme for your Bookstagram. Many different photo editing apps come with filters (including Instagram). Filters are essentially digital masks (or physical ones if you’re shooting old school) that overlay a photo to create a desired effect.
Fewer apps come with presets or have the capability to support presets. A preset is a setting that adjusts each photo the same way every time. Presets often alter saturation, contrast, white balance, tint, hue, etc. You can make your own presets or purchase bundles from sites like 123Presets or Wilde Presets.
If you happen to stumble upon a set of manual edits that you love and want to be able to reproduce it, look up how to create your own preset.
If you want to be able to experiment, look into buying a bulk bundle set of multiple presets. I bought a bundle of over 500 off Wilde Presets and I’m so glad I went that route. I ended up choosing a preset that I never would have selected based on the stock image. Now, my editing is super easy. I simply apply my preset, adjust the exposure, maybe add some selective edits, and I’m done. The best part is, I now have a cohesive theme with minimal effort on my part.
I hope you found this informative and helpful. If you have any additional tips, feel free to leave them in the comments. Keep an eye out for my next post in this series: Boosting Your Engagement.
