Tips for shooting/filming at home!
LIGHTING!
SO first and foremost NATURAL light is your best bet. Not outside - that can be too intense - but the beautiful light that comes in from a window in your place. If that is not an option and you really want to purchase a light, keep it SIMPLE! Below is a great example of a phone ready ight with some great adjustments.
Currently this light is $30 on Amazon, can hold your phone and also allows you to adjust the color “temperature” of the light to warm you up or cool you down.
BACKGROUND
Sorry to break everyone’s heart, but if you’ve heard “Blue Books” get that out of your head. It doesn’t!! In fact, that garish blue is decidedly out of date at this point. A nice neutral background works best - white, cream, gray, etc. But to be honest the lighting matters a LOT more than the background. We also often ask for full length shots and many home backdrops are just not big enough to allow you to take those kinds of pics. So, my best advice is focus on the lighting and keep the background simple and uncluttered. If you REALLY want a backdrop, go big. Big enough to allow you to take a full length pic in front of it.
SHEET/CURTAIN
Here is a simple large white curtain for $18. Grab a curtain rod or dowel - or just tape it to the wall!) and you’re good to go!
PHOTO SCREEN
A fancier more expensive option but this is nice and can be tucked away when not in use. If you’re booking a lot and want quick and easy, this could be a great option…for $170.
COLLAPSABLE BACKDROP
Last but not least we see these a lot in submissions. They are “ok” but often not big enough. This particular one is 5’ x 6.5’ which would be good enough for a full length for “most” of us. A good affordable option at $50.
