While not everyone has the ability to shoot social media content on set or onsite, there are plenty of ways to create incredible content without leaving the comfort of your home or office. Keep reading for some of our favourite photography hacks for creating engaging and thumb-stopping assets for your social media channels right at home or your office.

Windows of Opportunity

Natural lighting is a photographer’s best friend, but that’s not the only reason why windows make for a great make-shift set. Window sills are actually an incredible place to take pictures.

If you want the subject of the photo to be the focal point, opt for a clean, clutter-free background. However, there is such a thing as “too clean,” which can be a bit boring (insert picture of plain white wall here). Create texture by using different fabrics, like curtains, tablecloths or bed sheets.

Next Up: Add some dimension to your social content creation! In this example, I used the leaves of a plant to create a multidimensional look. Just remember to tap on the product to focus when taking the picture, and make sure your phone camera is parallel to the product so the bottle does not get distorted.

Once you’ve got your shot, pump up the brightness and contrast, crop out the extra space, and you’re good to go!

The Underwater Effect

This hack is loved by professionals and amateurs alike, it’s a hit on social media. To create the underwater effect, we use a clear, plastic tray and fill it up with water. We place the object of focus on a white background and held the tray directly above with one hand, while holding our phone with the other. You’ll want to wiggle the tray a little so you get the ripple effect, but not too much or you might spill! If it sounds like this might take some coordination, you’re spot on. We recommend having a friend nearby to lend you a helping hand.

Trying a TikTok Trend!

We’re not afraid to say that we tested out a social media photo trend that we saw on TikTok – and it came out pretty cool. First, you need a mirror. They say it’s best to use one without a frame or edge, but we only had this desk mirror and it worked just fine. Make sure to wipe your mirror clean before attempting this one.

Then, grab your laptop and pull up any ambient, moody background from the internet. Place the mirror on your keyboard, angle your laptop screen about 45 degrees from the mirror (so the entire mirror is filled with the background) and get your phone as close as possible without zooming in.

For this example, we grabbed a pair of random earrings and placed them on the mirror. When you’re shooting pairs of something, it’s always a good rule of thumb to place one slightly behind the other to create some depth. If you’re interested in seeing some other trending social media photography hacks, check out the #photographyhack hashtag on TikTok!

Let us know if you try any of these and what your thoughts are. And if you’re ready for some fresh content, get in touch with us at info@honestlondon.co.uk– we’d love to create a selection of social-first assets for your brand!