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5 Steps to Better Instagram Photos

2/24/2019

 
Better IG Photos MoxieDori
Great photos are key for catching attention, sparking interest and kick-starting engagement.  Whether you want to improve your bullet journal Instagram photos or lure clients with great product shots, these five simple steps will help you do just that. 

1. Lighting

Natural light is everything. Turn off overhead lights, as they create shadows and cast yellow hues in photographs. Find a window with filtered light (not direct sunshine) and set up there. I find the light to be the best between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm in my north facing window. You'll have to find your personal sweet spot.
Overhead Light
Notebook overhead light
Natural Light (unedited)
Bullet Journal Natural Light

2. Background

If you want to convey the color of your item, use a white background. I use a white foam board from the Dollar Store. If your item is mostly white and you want to set it off, use a dark background. I like to use a dark wood table that doesn't have a lot of grain to it as I want the focus to be on the bullet journal spread, the stencil and the journal rule.
Purple Bullet Journal
Picture
Picture
Valentine's Day Layout

3. Composition

Put three things in your photos. Number one will be your main item of interest. It should go in the center and be in focus.

Now add items two and three and create an upside down triangle with the three objects. The observer's eye will start at position 1, travel to either 2 or 3 and then back to 1. Then the observer's eye will travel to the opposite item and finally land back on item 1. This causes people to look at your main item again and again.

Attempt to use items in positions 2 and 3 that tie in thematically and/or have a similar hue as the primary item. 

Finally, get your hands in the photo. Hold your item and take the photo from the angle and distance that would naturally occur during normal use of that item. Psychologically the observer enters the photo and they feel as though they are holding that item. I have noticed that photos with my hands in them get much more engagement on social media than traditional flat lays do. 

Photography Composition
Linear Calendar Card MoxieDori
Bullet Journal
Yoga Stencil MoxieDori
Big Days Stencil MoxieDori

4. iPhone Camera Edit

My first photo edit is on my iPhone's camera app. I always shoot in Square and crop if needed. When editing, I start by adjusting the Light. I almost always increase the exposure first. I slowly adjust the brightness and brilliance. At that point I go over to Color and adjust the cast. I then go back to the Light and adjust the shadows, the black point and sometimes the highlights. 
iPhone Camera Edit
iPhone camera edit color

5. Snapseed Edit

I make my final editing touches on Snapseed. It is an amazing app and it is really easy to use. I resist using the "Looks" and head over to Tools. While I use Selective  and Healing the most, I sometimes use White Balance to adjust the color of my bullet journal page.

Selective allows you to choose certain points on the photo to adjust Brightness, Contrast, Saturation and Structure. Use the Healing tool to "erase" small flaws in your photo. 
Snapseed edit
Before
Compass Protractor MoxieDori
After
Weekly Layout MoxieDori
We hope this was helpful. Hop over to MoxieDori on FB and share your before and after photos with the community. We'd love to see!

Before and After

Before
Bee Basic Lipbalm
After
Bee Basic Etsy
Before
Notebook
Before
Word Art Before
After
Bullet Journal MoxieDori
After
Word Art MoxieDori
Better Product Photos MoxieDori

Join Our Virtual Launch Party!!!!!

2/15/2019

 
MoxieDori Virtual Launch Party
Join our blow out party to celebrate our website expansion!!! There will be a fabulous giveaway and a discount code for the new shop. MoxieDori Launch Party!!!!!

Galaxy Watercolor using Tombows

2/3/2019

 
Do you love galaxy watercolor paintings? Today is your lucky day! Rosanne Schuurmans of @rosannecreates is sharing her galaxy watercolor technique with us. Grab your Tombows and create along with!

1. Gather your supplies. ​

moxiedori watercolor supplies

Gather your supplies! It’s very important to use watercolor paper for this technique. It doesn’t have to be the best/expensive you have, but it should be at least 200gsm in weight and smooth (so you don’t fray your markers). I love blue, but you can use any color Tombow markers you have.

2. Draw a window using the Journal Rule

MoxieDori Journal Rule
Tape your paper down to a flat surface, and use the MoxieDori Journal Rule and a black alcohol marker to draw out your window frame. It is important to use an alcohol marker, because that will not react with water in later steps.

3. Start coloring!

tombow dual brush pens
Lay down the colors with your Tombow markers. Start with the lightest color and work your way out to darker tones.

4. The fun part!

MoxieDori Galaxy Watercolor
Use a wet brush to go over the colors. Start with the lightest parts again and carefully work your way out. You will see the colors start moving on the paper and blending into each other. Don’t use too much water, only enough to blend. Let your work dry completely before moving on to the next step.

5. Draw the cat.

Cat Doodle MoxieDori
Draw a cat silhouette with the same black alcohol marker. You can use the Moxiedori Cat Doodle bullet journal stencil for this step! You can of course draw a different silhouette. You could try a vase with flowers, or a Christmas tree for December. Get creative!

6. Draw the stars.

Galaxy watercolor moxiedori
​I use a white gel pen to draw the stars. You could also paint them on with white gouache or acrylic paint, or splatter them on with a toothbrush!

​7. Peel off the tape.

moxiedori Rosanne creates

Your artpiece is finished! All that is left to do is peel off the tape. Do this very slowly and carefully, you don’t want to rip the paper! It helps to heat the glue of the tape a little with a heatgun or hairdryer.

8. Tadaaa!

Galaxy watercolor moxiedori
Marvel at the beautiful painting you made! You can paste it into your journal, make it into a card or hang it in your house.

Rosanne also has a lovely etsy shop full of her original works. Hop over to RosanneCreates to check out her beautiful watercolor paintings. 
Galaxy Tutorial MoxieDori

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Find Your Next Bujo Essential!

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    • Daily Layout
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