So you’ve decided to start a blog! One of the things you’ll quickly learn is the importance of photography. Social media is image-heavy by its nature, and if you plan on turning your blog into a business, you’re going to need to learn how to produce images for your clients in addition to your written deliverables. I’m often approached by aspiring bloggers asking for advice, so I thought this would be a great topic to tackle since it plays a large role in blogging. Here are my top four photography tips for beginning bloggers:

1. Do Your Homework

If you’re a novice, you’ll want to start by learning everything you can about photography basics. You can pick up a huge amount online – Google will point you to hundreds of tutorials and videos explaining the basics of things like aperture, ISO, and so forth; for example, photographer Summit Shah has a blog where he shares photography tips and gear recommendations. Once you’ve gotten to grips with some of the basics, you may want to consider taking a photography class at your local community college to further expand your skill set.

2. Invest in Gear – Wisely

Having a decent camera is important, but for someone just starting out, I’d advise starting with just the basic building blocks. So many people spend thousands on fancy equipment that ends up just sitting in their closet because they didn’t end up getting far with their blog, or just ended up not needing as many accessories as they initially thought. Remember, you can always buy new lenses and upgrade your gear as you progress! For example, I’m partial to Canon’s EOS Rebel kits because they come with the camera base, lens, battery, strap and charger for a competitive price.

Also, don’t overlook the importance of a good lighting setup. Lighting can make or break a photo, so spring for good lighting before you buy dozens of lenses! I personally bought this studio lighting kit off Amazon for $119, and I love it because it includes everything: Four lights and their corresponding accessories for manipulating the light, a backdrop in three different colors, and a carrying case.

Finally – make sure you also have a smartphone with a quality camera built-in! In the blogging world, you’ll often find yourself at events that you need to document on social media, and a full DSLR is not always practical or desirable in these situations.

3. Get (Mad) Props

As a blogger, you’ll likely spend much of your time photographing still life scenes such as products or food. This is where props really shine! You can find hundreds of specialty photo props for sale on sites like Etsy, but I’d recommend starting with items in your home first to get a feel for what looks good. (Again, you don’t need a closet full of expensive, unused items!) Experiment with different colors and textures of tablecoths, placemats, baskets, dishes, and small decorative items. Move your props around and photograph your subject from every angle to see what works and what doesn’t.

4. Practice Makes Perfect

Learning any skill takes time and practice. Good photos don’t magically materialize; they take thought and work, regardless of your skill level or amount of equipment. Keep practicing and have fun!