{Day 9} 31 Days of Craft Show Preparation – Taking Photos of Your Crochet

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Photographing Your Crochet Work

When I used to sell my crochet work on Etsy this was my most dreaded task – Photography. When I had a job (back in 2008) I was able to buy a $100 camera and things did improve but not by much. My best shots were done outside on a little hedge outside the apartment we used to live in. Here are a few examples:

crochet pizza

Crochet Popsicle

Crochet Rainbow Dress

See, not bad but not great either. By the time I got this camera I was selling patterns so I just needed one decent shot to post on Etsy. Now I can’t even consider selling my stuff because my photos are just so disgusting when set next to the awesome professional photos that people are doing now.

What’s Molly Doing?

Today Molly shares her experiment with taking photographs for her vintage shabby chic pieces. She shares her fears of not meeting the standards of great photography and after about 2-hours she finally gets a decent shot to send to the craft show. Are you relating?

I’m with Molly – hire a photographer or partner with one to take shots of your work. You want to show the uniqueness of your handmade piece in the best possible light. Although, I think Molly did a wonderful job, Mine needs some serious help.

Scarf – presentation board take 1

My Little Experiment

Valentines just happened and I made a little Love Gnome. I wanted to share on Instagram but it was dark and I wanted a white background. I didn’t have anything at the time so got a box and used it. Um, this was the Chocolate Berries box my mom got for V-Day. You’ll see the first one I tried using the outside of the box as a background. FAIL. The second I tried to put him in the box and use the floor as a background. FAIL.  The third one is the one I settle on.

Now you see why I don’t sell online? I’m horrible.

Gnome with Red Background

Gnome with Wood backing

Final Gnome pic

Experiment #2 – the Presentation Backdrop

My second experiment was birthed off of the McKenzie blog post. (see reference below) I remember reading that she used foam core. I almost bought a piece but thought that a presentation board might be better as it has sides. I took the board to our laundry room – it has the best light – morning or night.

The photo above with my scarf uses the board. It has a bit of shadow on the bottom but I did these at night so had no natural light. Below is a photo of a hat. I set the board up at an angle so the hat was flat while still utilizing the side flaps of the board. I think it turned out okay. Definitely needs work but it’s getting a wee better.

Crochet hat – presentation board Take #2

Time to Learn From People in the Know

Lisa Bacon did a guest post on Handmade Success (a blog you should definitely check out) about using an Iphone and Pic Monkey. I pinned this a while ago on my crochet business blogging board and now I get to share it. It is so cool. She bought a gadget ($20) to use with her tripod, put her camera in it, and used paper for her background. You need to check out the ‘phone alone‘ pictures because even without the editing with Pic Monkey are pretty awesome.

Mckenzie of Girl Loves Glam (yet another find from Pinterest) shares how you can make your own backdrops. You are not going to believe what she uses? Foam core and wrapping paper! OMG! This is so affordable. I have that same wrapping that looks like wood grain that she uses to photograph her mini-mailboxes. I think I got it at Target for $1 right after the holidays.

A Note About Patterns

• The Pizza and the Popsicle patterns are free. As soon as I get time I’ll post to this site. They might still be on Ravelry. 
• The little girl dress is by Alla Koval Designs of My Little City Girl – I didn’t see it on her free patterns page but I know I got it from her.
• The Scarf is a pattern I just came up with. I’ll be using it as a guest post on another crochet blog.
• The Love Gnome, I made the night before Valentines, I tried making notes but once I got to shaping I stopped. No pattern.
• The heart that the gnome is standing on is by Rhelena of CrochetnCrafts.com
• The hat was inspired by Vicki Howell’s Urban Jungle. I just single crocheted instead of Puff stitched. The ribbing is hers. Tip: if you want a better way to cinch up the top of hats, check out her tutorial for this pattern. It is now officially my favorite way.

Join me in the 31 Days of Craft Show Preparation by Blogger Molly of http://mollyeleen.wordpress.com. Molly was inspired to do the 31 days challenge when her friends took on the challenge that The Nester hosts each year. (based on the 31 Days to build a better blog by ProBlogger)

 How You Can Participate

1. Visit Molly’s Blog post which has all 31 posts in the series
2. Blog about it. You can do one post for the entire week or one post per day. I’ll be doing one post a day. (31)
3. Chat about it either on the Crochet Business fanpage or in either the CBB Google+ community or CBB Fb group.