Keeping up with social media is like a full time job on it's own! It's not realistic to have professional quality images taken for every image you post to your Facebook & Instagram on a daily basis (unless of course, you're a photographer or a pretty large business)!
Here are some simple tips for taking some fab images all on your lonesome! -

1. Natural light! We repeat... Natural light! This is especially important if you are using your phone for social media images. You want to find even, natural light and avoid using phone flashes that lead to dark, or on the opposite side, totally washed out images. Natural light will keep your images looking fresh, beautiful and give them a more "lifestyle" feel. This works great for people who have somewhat limited knowledge of more advanced photography :-)

2. Use texture & pattern to add variety and interest to your images! Have a cool product you want to show off? instead of just laying it on a table and snapping a quick pic, take a few extra minutes to look around your surroundings and find objects that you can incorporate to help tell a story! Cool props are right under your nose! Cozy throw blanket, rustic wood cutting board, stone patio, marble counter tops, etc. Bonus if you take the time to add in other objects that would naturally go with your product! I.E - You are selling cupcakes... find a cute, vintage plate and put your cupcake on it, then put the plate on a natural kitchen type surface (such as a pretty counter top or cutting board), now add in other aesthetically pleasing items you may find in a cafe or kitchen... maybe a cute fabric napkin, a coffee mug, a small vase of flowers, a spoon.... You get the picture!

3. Use color to make your photos pop and to create a cohesive look. Color can be your bestie! Color conveys a mood & makes your images stand out! There are many ways to use color strategically, but it's often pleasing to the viewer if colors in an image are complimenting one another or if similar colors can be found spread throughout an image. I.E - Let's say you have a yellow bottle, maybe find other objects or elements of a similar color, to bring in to other areas of your image.

4. Get help when you need it! You may be really freakin' good at what you do, but that doesn't mean you can do every aspect of your business on your own. Although taking phone photos, on a daily basis, for your social media is a must, we also suggest hiring pros for where it really counts, such as on your website and printed marketing materials. These professional images can also be mixed in to your social feeds for maximum impact!

Happy picture taking!