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Make Better Blog Photos Series: Simple Background Hacks

Monday, September 22, 2014 54 Comments

Make Better Blog Photos: Tips for Creating Memorable and Pin-Able Photos brought to you by the Rockin’ Art Moms.

Simple Background Hacks | @mamamissblog #rockinartmoms #phototips #diy #betterblog

Today I’m delighted to be part of the Rockin’ Art Moms “make better blog photos series”, a series where us Rockin’ Art Moms break down different aspects of creating better blog photos.  We are covering Composition, Styling, Lighting, Photo Editing, Typography, and Backgrounds (where I come in with some Simple Background Hacks)!

I bet you didn’t know that I don’t have crazy expensive photo props.





Or that 99% of my photos are done in my 10×10 sunroom, not some fancy photo studio.

Or that 100% of the time I’m just a mom, in my sunroom, with two little ones running amuck in and out of my photos, bumping my shots and eating my props, with just my camera, some natural light, and some simple backgrounds.

I’ll let you in on my little secret… my Simple Background Hacks.

Simple Background Hacks | @mamamissblog #rockinartmoms #phototips #diy #betterblog

Simple Background Hacks | @mamamissblog #rockinartmoms #phototips #diy #betterblog

Simple Background Hacks | @mamamissblog #rockinartmoms #phototips #diy #betterblog

Simple Background Hacks | @mamamissblog #rockinartmoms #phototips #diy #betterblog

Simple Background Hacks | @mamamissblog #rockinartmoms #phototips #diy #betterblog

Would you believe that all of these photos are SUPER SIMPLE Background Hacks you can easily create for your own photos?

Well, they are!

Simple Background Hacks | @mamamissblog #rockinartmoms #phototips #diy #betterblog

Foam Board – Simple Background Hack 1

A simple piece of matte white foam board is the PERFECT simple white background, providing a crisp and smooth white surface, without any angles and bumps.

Simple Background Hacks | @mamamissblog #rockinartmoms #phototips #diy #betterblog

Wooden Tray – Simple Background Hack 2

Serving dual purposes – you can use a wooden tray for serving food & a perfect weathered wooden backdrop for your photos.

Simple Background Hacks | @mamamissblog #rockinartmoms #phototips #diy #betterblog

Ceramic Tile – Simple Background Hack 3

My ceramic tile background is one of my favorite backgrounds to use.  If food falls on it, it wipes clean – it’s also an easy matte surface that adds a simple visual interest to your photos.  It’s also pretty easy to get – head into your local hardware store to the floor tile section & for a couple of bucks you can have your own ceramic tile background.

Simple Background Hacks | @mamamissblog #rockinartmoms #phototips #diy #betterblog

Scrapbook Paper – Simple Background Hack 4

This is one of my most used backgrounds.  A simple sheet of wood grain scrapbook paper. SCRAPBOOK PAPER!  Nope, it’s not some fancy Anthropologie farm table housed in my chateau – it’s a piece of scrapbook paper!  If you need something larger than a 12×12 sheet of scrapbook paper, I’ve also been known to simply tape two sheets together & place what I’m photographing on the connecting line to cover the tape and the pages connecting.

Simple Background Hacks | @mamamissblog #rockinartmoms #phototips #diy #betterblog

Chalkboard – Simple Background Hack 5

Another one of my favorite backgrounds to use is my faux chalkboard.  Faux, because it’s not actually a chalkboard per se, but actually a large square piece of wood that hubs painted with chalkboard paint for me.  This one is great for food photo cleanups too – just spray it down with cleaner, and wipe, & it’s brand new!

Simple Background Hacks | @mamamissblog #rockinartmoms #phototips #diy #betterblog

 

Now, on to the fantastic & brilliant tips from the other Rockin’ Art Moms and how you can make Better Blog Photos!

About the series:

The Rockin’ Art Moms (RAMs) are 16 mom bloggers who believe in the power of creativity as a necessary part of family life! Make Better Blog Photos was developed in response to a question we hear often: “How did you take such a great picture?” We decided to show you how! Each RAM participating in the series will be speaking about a different photo related topic.

Part 1: Composition Meri Cherry
Part 2: Backdrops Mama Miss
Part 3: Styling Willow Day
Part 4: Lighting Tiny Rotten Peanuts
Part 5: Photo Editing Babble Dabble Do
Part 6: Typography Tips Art Bar Blog

Simple Background Hacks | @mamamissblog #rockinartmoms #phototips #diy #betterblog

And be sure to follow the Rockin’ Art Moms on Pinterest:

Follow Fun at Home with Kids’s board Rockin’ Art for Kids on Pinterest.

Follow Tiny Rotten Peanuts’s board Rockin’ DIY on Pinterest.

Simple Background Hacks | @mamamissblog #rockinartmoms #phototips #diy #betterblog         Simple Background Hacks | @mamamissblog #rockinartmoms #phototips #diy #betterblog

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Comments

  1. Ashley Firth says

    Monday, February 10, 2020 at 5:30 am

    I’ve been searching for ways to create backdrops for my photos and this post really helped me, thank you so much! xxx

    Reply
  2. Kimberly says

    Tuesday, September 15, 2015 at 11:40 pm

    So simple! Thanks for the tip!

    Reply
    • Melissa Klinker says

      Friday, September 18, 2015 at 10:13 am

      Yay! Glad it cane help :) xo

      Reply
  3. Amanda Paa says

    Wednesday, February 25, 2015 at 12:45 pm

    love these easy ideas! one quick question with the chalkboard – did you “season” it to make it look a little worn?

    Reply
    • Melissa Klinker says

      Wednesday, May 6, 2015 at 10:25 am

      Hey Amanda – thanks! Nope, it’s just the daily wear & tear that seasons it all on its own :) xo

      Reply
  4. Susan - ofeverymoment says

    Sunday, January 25, 2015 at 2:06 pm

    I was just saying that I need to take a photography class. These are great tips! I just started using scrapbook paper – poster board is another favorite of mine. I also have found several great surfaces in my house … i.e., the patina look of leather of our hassock is a fun background.
    Sharing this – and can’t wait for when I have a few minutes to read all the other tips here!

    Reply
    • Melissa Klinker says

      Wednesday, January 28, 2015 at 1:15 am

      awesome awesome awesome Susan!! And thanks for sharing :) xx

      Reply
  5. Kim @ 2justByou says

    Friday, January 23, 2015 at 12:21 pm

    As someone who is continually trying to improve my photog skills (because I’m seriously lacking in this area), this post is EXTREMELY helpful, and I can’t wait to try them.

    Reply
    • Melissa Klinker says

      Wednesday, January 28, 2015 at 1:14 am

      YAY – so glad it helped Kim!! xx

      Reply
  6. Kate says

    Thursday, January 22, 2015 at 3:49 pm

    Wow! That’s really impressive! Thanks so much for the tips.

    http://www.coordinatedkate.com

    Reply
    • Melissa Klinker says

      Wednesday, January 28, 2015 at 1:13 am

      Thanks Kate!! xx

      Reply
  7. Kim T. says

    Saturday, January 10, 2015 at 6:01 pm

    Wow! Thanks for this! I’m going to look at my photos in a whole new way now!

    Reply
    • Melissa Klinker says

      Sunday, January 11, 2015 at 7:42 am

      Awesome – thanks Kim! xx

      Reply
  8. Emily says

    Monday, December 22, 2014 at 9:16 am

    Oh wow thank you for these tips! When I’m away from home having a desirable background is what I struggle with the most.

    Beauty and Lifestyle Blog

    xx

    Reply
    • Melissa Klinker says

      Monday, December 29, 2014 at 10:57 am

      AWESOME – glad it can inspire you in different ways Emily!! xx

      Reply
  9. Neesha says

    Sunday, December 21, 2014 at 5:10 pm

    Simply amazing!! Thankyou :)
    Win a £25 New Look Gift Card with Reinventing Neesha ♥

    Reply
    • Melissa Klinker says

      Monday, December 29, 2014 at 10:57 am

      Thanks Neesha! xx

      Reply
  10. Jessica @ Citrus Blossom Bliss says

    Thursday, November 20, 2014 at 12:50 am

    Thank you for these awesome tips! I found your site through Pinterest and I am definitely impressed. My favorite is the scrapbook paper–who knew something so inexpensive could look so real?!

    Reply
    • Melissa Klinker says

      Saturday, November 22, 2014 at 4:18 am

      YAY Jessica – love Pinterest – for that exact reason! Glad you are here – welcome!

      Reply
  11. Erin says

    Thursday, November 6, 2014 at 11:04 pm

    Thanks for sharing this!! I’ve been looking into making various simple backdrops for my blog photos. The scrapbook paper??? You’ve got to be kidding me. Brilliant! I can’t want to try some of these out.

    Reply
    • Melissa Klinker says

      Saturday, November 22, 2014 at 4:26 am

      woot woot – AWESOME Erin!!! Thanks :) xx

      Reply
  12. Shasta says

    Wednesday, October 22, 2014 at 11:12 am

    Love it! I actually knew about the foamboard, but never thought to get ceramic tile!! Genius!

    Reply
    • Melissa Klinker says

      Saturday, November 22, 2014 at 6:36 am

      Thanks Shasta!! xx

      Reply
  13. Kate Williams says

    Thursday, October 2, 2014 at 5:02 am

    I’m really enjoying this series :) I’ve already started using some of the hacks you guys have suggested and now I finally get to justify buying some chalkboard paint? Brilliant :D

    Reply
    • Melissa Klinker says

      Saturday, November 22, 2014 at 6:42 am

      Yay – thanks Kate! xx

      Reply
  14. Erin Wing says

    Thursday, September 25, 2014 at 3:46 pm

    Oh, I love this series so much! I’ve used a few of these but this post really got me thinking about finding more creative backdrops to try. Thank you for sharing your pro secrets with us!

    Reply
    • Melissa Klinker says

      Monday, September 29, 2014 at 8:19 pm

      Thank you Erin!! So glad I was able to provide some useful information!! So glad you stopped by :) xx

      Reply
  15. Jillian says

    Thursday, September 25, 2014 at 11:53 am

    This is awesome! I was cracking up looking at what your backgrounds actually are! That scrapbook paper really had me fooled.

    Thanks for the tips, I am always trying to improve my photos.
    Jillian

    Reply
    • Melissa Klinker says

      Monday, September 29, 2014 at 8:22 pm

      AWESOME!!! Thanks Jillian – super thrilled it’s proving to be a very helpful post to everyone!! Thanks for stopping by :) xx

      Reply
  16. Emma @ P is for Preschooler says

    Wednesday, September 24, 2014 at 12:50 pm

    I’ve been using a white foam board as a background. It’s simple, clean – and inexpensive. I love these ideas – definitely going to give them a try!

    Reply
    • Melissa Klinker says

      Monday, September 29, 2014 at 8:24 pm

      LOVE foam board – so simple, and easy, & does the trick for clean beautiful photos!! Thanks Emma :) xx

      Reply
  17. katepickle says

    Wednesday, September 24, 2014 at 1:07 am

    Scrapbook paper!! Of course! You are a genius!!!

    Reply
    • Melissa Klinker says

      Monday, September 29, 2014 at 8:27 pm

      haha sometimes genius ideas do strike Kate! I’m around so many amazingly creative bloggers (.. wink wink clears throat) I gotta keep up my game. xx

      Reply
  18. Laura says

    Tuesday, September 23, 2014 at 1:56 pm

    It’s like you found all my favorite photog blogger mamas and put them in a virtual room together! LOVE this!! Thank you for sharing such useful tips!! :D

    Reply
    • Melissa Klinker says

      Monday, September 29, 2014 at 8:30 pm

      awwww thanks Laura!!! Love all these amazingly creative blogging mama’s – so thrilled to be a part of them :) xx

      Reply
  19. Ana says

    Tuesday, September 23, 2014 at 6:50 am

    Fabulous post!!! Especially the scrapbook paper hack, BRILLIANT! I will now be buying a boatload of different papers just for this use. Rock it Girl!

    Reply
    • Melissa Klinker says

      Monday, September 29, 2014 at 8:32 pm

      !!! So thrilled to be a part of Rockin’ Art Moms – now I don’t have to drool from the sidelines of all your amazing-ness!!! Thanks for having me Ana – love your post as well :) xx

      Reply
  20. gina says

    Monday, September 22, 2014 at 4:08 pm

    Fantastic Post and beautiful photos!

    Reply
    • Melissa Klinker says

      Saturday, November 22, 2014 at 6:55 am

      Thanks Gina – you too! xx

      Reply
  21. meri cherry says

    Monday, September 22, 2014 at 1:32 pm

    This is so great and smart!!! You just gave me so many ideas. Thank you Melissa! Love this post. This is a huge help to me. THANK YOU!

    Reply
    • Melissa Klinker says

      Monday, September 29, 2014 at 8:25 pm

      awww thanks Meri – your post is SUPERB too – so happy for this series!!! xx

      Reply

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