How to Use Your Own Photo's for Graphics

If you are a blogger or someone who likes sharing quotes or other information online/via social media I would strongly encourage you to start taking your own photos.

Here is why:

1. It is technically illegal to pillage through the Internet and use random photo's of images you do not own. 

2. Everyone uses the same images over and over from the Internet and even the stock photography sites. 

3. Some of the images are horrible. They are pixelated and your message tends to get lost.

I know you think you don't have the time or the skill to take your own photo's but you're wrong. Anyone can take a photo especially since most smartphones have built in cameras. Now I will drop a disclaimer here: If you need head shots or product shots, I definitely recommend contacting a professional photographer to maintain some integrity for your brand.

But if you just need a background for a quote or to accompany a blog post. . .you got this! 

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Stopped to take this photo one foggy morning after dropping my daughter at school.

Added a quote that fit the photo and included my website address.

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One trick for taking good photo's with your camera phone is a steady hand. If you are shaky then hold down on the screen once you get the image you want, on most phones not only will the light be adjusted but you can lock your target, so that even if you're shaky the image is already in focus. 

Another trick is using filters. Filters give images a more artistic look and even photo's that aren't that great become more interesting with filters. I would stay away from filters that make the images too colorful sometimes it looks unnatural.

There is inspiration all around you. If you see the clouds making an interesting pattern or looking like cotton balls, snap a quick photo filling the frame with nothing but the sky, no light poles or rooftops.

Another disclaimer: I am not advocating that you do this while driving. If the sunset is just perfect and you want to capture it, PULL OVER to a safe spot, put the car in park and snap away. 

I was actually in the passenger seat when I caught this guy jogging at sunset.

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San Francisco Bay photo taken while on vacation

Added a filter and an inspiring quote that also fit the image.

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Added text and filter using Studio app

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Just take images whenever you can and save them on your phone even if you don't think you need them, you'll be surprised how they can be used. Picture of your kids running and playing but maybe only capture their feet or if the photo is blurred use it! That's a great artistic statement. Even taking photo's of a candle on a table could make a good image.

​A great phone app to use (for both iOS and Android) for adding text to images, adding clip art and filters all in one is Studio. You can save the images to your phone and them upload them to your blog or social media. If your blog platform doesn't have a phone app, just email the pictures to your self so that you can get them on to your computer. 

Happy snapping!