When you’re an aspiring blogger, designer, photographer, or artist, one of the best things you can do for yourself is create an aesthetic for your blog… Build a distinct style…
One of the things I’m edging closer to these days is shooting up-and-coming bloggers and helping them refine that aesthetic… During my recent NYC trip, I met up with Brittany from Not Another Blonde. Brittany and I met through Zanita Studio almost over a year ago when I recruited her as a writer, but we never really worked together outside of that. This time, we got together to shoot some photos, and then I worked with her on conceiving an aesthetic that would soon become a part of her brand identity. When referencing “aesthetic”, most people have no idea what this means.
If you’re interested in crafting a distinct aesthetic for your blog through elevated imagery, here’s a good place to start:
Pinpoint the type of content you create.
Not all editing styles work for all types of photography, so before settling on a filter for your images, consider the type of content you create across the board. Are you primarily shooting flatlays, beauty products, OOTDs, travel, or a combination of everything? Pay attention to how tweaking the colors affect the overall mood of the kind of content you share. You should be mindful of how that mood communicates the message of your photo – and if it’s done tastefully in the way that you intend. It’s not always about taking a purely creative approach but sometimes a business and strategic one.
Pick a color palette.
Again, colors heavily impact mood. Think of your aesthetic in three adjectives (and three only!) – what are those words and which colors convey them best? Examples might look like:
- Minimal – Black, White, Gray, Navy, Beige
- Romantic – Pink, Pastels, White
- Moody – Navy, Soft Pink, Teal
You get the point…
Be consistent.
Once you hone in on the content and colors that represent who you are, share that consistently. Every image should embody those colors, adjectives, and content you create. Over time, you this consistent aesthetic becomes apart of your brand and what your followers/readers recognize you for. Make sure you pick something that isn’t merely an in-the-moment trend and that you won’t get tired of it within three months.
Outsource to an expert.
If photography and editing isn’t your best skillset, look for talent that can help you create an aesthetic for your blog. The investment is worth it when it comes to your brand and business. When working with Brittany, I made several tweaks that resulted in 7-8 renditions before we effectuated THE ONE. She picked words and used references like “cool tones, VSCO’s S2 filter, lighter, and brighter”. What I’ve learned is that non-creatives often use words that don’t exactly match what they’re trying to convey to artists (I’m also guilty of this) so references work best! Provide Instagram accounts of filters that you really adore, Pinterest boards that reflect the vibe you’re after, and bloggers whose work you respect. At one point, Brittany mentioned “sepia and vibrant tones”, which were totally out of what she wanted to achieve. She also stated implicitly that she wanted to refrain from film-emulation and pink tones. We worked through the challenges quickly, and within two days, came up with what you see here!
I encourage you to utilize someone who’s willing to provide a bit of education especially if you’re not well-versed in photography or photo editing when outsourcing. If you’re interested in working together, let’s get in touch – contact me here!
