What You REALLY Need To Be A Fashion Blogger

Who said you needed money to become a fashion blogger? Actually, a lot of people. Because it just seems that way! You don’t get gifted new pieces when you start out. You need to build up your blog, social following, develop a style, curate a feed, etc. Thus, you need to have a significantly big wardrobe allowing you to take photos of many styles.

Which costs money, of course. A lot. Because even if you shop at Primark, bills will add up and it could have been money spent elsewhere. Or saved for something bigger. Something else you can do – and that I must admit did a few times in the past – is order off ASOS, Boohoo or the like. You try the clothes on, take photos and return them because, well, it is free. And you get free next day delivery if you sign up to the VIP program so, really, it is a small investment but a very good one.

Only issue is, people are abusing the system, because that’s how people are, and it is hurting companies’ profitability. You know, if you are 1. paying for shipping, 2. paying for return and 3. refunding the order. So now, ASOS can just ban you off their website to avoid such behaviors. Good for them, not so good for you if that’s how you did your photos!

Thankfully, not all hope is lost! Because there is another way to make it as a fashion blogger. Now is the time for the big reveal. To become a fashion blogger, what you really need is…

Drum rolls.

…A capsule wardrobe, a camera and photoshop.

Let me explain.

1. A capsule wardrobe
A capsule wardrobe is a collection of a few essential items of clothing that don’t go out of fashion, such as skirts, trousers, and coats, which can then be augmented with seasonal pieces. Typically, a capsule wardrobe will contain 15 to 20 pieces that you style with each other. Colors usually are very basic, such as white, black, blue, beige and maybe brown. Easy to style, easy to wear, appropriate for any occasion. If your style is more colorful, the pieces will match your taste, but again, you will not have an overcrowded wardrobe.

2. A camera
I mean, of course! You do need a camera to take photos! And what equipment you put money into is your choice. However, just so you know, you do not need to spend £500 on a camera. Because your phone will do just fine! Even a cheaper camera will do fine! My first camera cost me £120 and was a Compact Sony. The photos were not bad at all. I mostly use my iPhone 8S for products photos and flatlays requiring the use of the portrait mode. However, I have used my iPhone for photos on holidays (with the husband turning into photographer) and those photos actually are the most performing on my feed!

3. Photoshop
This is were it will all make sense so pay attention. I got a subscription with Photoshop back at uni when I started blogging and I have used it ever since. Yet, it is just really recently that I have found the trick that will heal all your shopping and fashion blogging headaches. Instead of buying many different dresses for example, you can take photos of the same dress in many different locations and change the color of the dress in Photoshop to make it look like a completely different piece! Let me show you.

See the dress below? It is a dress I featured on my latest post with Select Fashion, and that originally is black. Now, here come the purple and blue versions!

Now look at the photos below. This blue biker jacket from Zara I wear on the first photo? That I also wear all the time on so many different photos? Now, here it comes in mustard and lilac!

How amazing is that?! One jacket can be used for multiple outfits, and if you are tired of always having the same color, you can just change it on Photoshop!

I showed you how to use Photoshop to add depth of field to your photos! Now, time to learn how to change the color of an object on Photoshop and create multiple outfits for literally zero pound (excluding original cost of the piece and cost of Photoshop).

STEP 1 – Use the “quick selection” tool, the one looking like a paint brush, and select the zone you want to color. Zoom in and out, adjust the diameter of the selection tool to tackle tricky, small or hidden zones to color.

STEP 2 – Create a new layer by clicking on the layer icon on the bottom right of the screen. Select “Hue/Saturation” (here in French, Teinte/Saturation).

STEP 3 – Select “Color” (Here in French, “coloriser”) on the “Hue/Saturation” window that will have appeared after you selected it on the previous step. You can adjust the hue (“teinte” in French), the saturation and the light (“luminosité”). The hue will help you get the color you want while the saturation will help you change the tone (very dark to very bright). The light will help you make it a solid color, lighter or even pastel. Play around to figure out how you like it best.

TADAAAAA!!!

I think it is easier to work with brighter colors. As per my experience, changing the very dark color to a very bright one will not make the result look as natural. It is an easy and quick technique to use.

So, what do you think? Of the tutorial? And of this little trick? Do you like it? Had you thought about it before? Will you try it out? Do you want more Photoshop tutorials? Will you consider becoming a fashion blogger now?

In the meantime, you can follow me on Instagram!

Thanks a lot for stopping by. Hope you liked this post.

See you soon,
Love,
Corinne.