Photoshoot Ideas to Try At Home

Being stuck at home can make you feel unmotivated and bored – but lights and cameras can change that. You can reimagine your time spent cooped up as an opportunity for an epic photoshoot, and you don’t need professional cameras and lighting to enjoy the photos of a lifetime. Whether you’re looking for something fun to do with family and friends or you want to add an unforgettable activity to your next get-together, let your creative side shine (and build memories that will last a lifetime) with the photography and lighting ideas below.

What do you need to have a photo shoot at home?

A home photoshoot doesn’t require you to go out and spend hundreds of dollars on equipment and props. If anything, some of your best photos will incorporate items you already own! Look around and see what inspires you – some seemingly ordinary items might actually look extraordinary in pictures. Check out these photography ideas for some inspiration:

• Mirrors. Something as simple as a mirror has so many uses when it comes to photography. All you need to start is a mirror of any size! By using mirrors in your photoshoot, you can make almost any room look interesting. If you’re home alone, mirrors are a great way to elevate your selfies with reflections. You can even take your mirror outside for some aesthetically pleasing shots of yourself surrounded by nature.

• Bedsheets. Trying to find the perfect photoshoot spot in your home can be a bit tough, especially if you’re looking for a simple background. If all the walls in your house are filled with pictures or artwork (or they just aren’t the right color), a backdrop of bedsheets can solve all your problems. Bedsheets of any color will do, though white, black, and grey will often give the best results – pin or tape them to the wall and boom, photoshoot! You can also try laying your bedsheets on the ground for photos taken from above.

• Flowers Bring a pop of color to your photos by using flowers in your DIY home photoshoot. Whether real or fake, flowers offer endless possibilities – pose with roses, lay daisies around you, decorate the wall with orchids, or throw petals into the air for an action shot. Mix and match different flower colors for an especially vibrant picture.

• Wallpaper. That room in your house with the fun wallpaper also makes an exciting backdrop to insert personality into your photos. Regardless of your wallpaper’s shapes, patterns, colors, or designs, your eye-catching walls will most certainly stand out in your photos.

• Props. Just about anything and everything can be a prop when shooting indoors. Books are a great example: Pick up the book you’re reading and pose with it. Pretend to read it, cover your face with it, or just place it next to you. Another option is to open your journal and take photos of yourself writing or reading your words of wisdom.

• Food and drink. You likely already take pictures for social media of that delicious pasta dinner you made or those scrumptious cookies you just pulled out of the oven. Why not take it one step further by using your food and drinks in a photoshoot? If you’re cooking something from scratch, take pictures along the way to document the process.

• Furniture. Although using furniture may sound obvious, it’s also easy to overlook just how photogenic your furniture can be. Bookcases, desks, couches, and tables make for great objects to either interact with or use as scenery.

• Pets. Treat your furry friend like a celebrity and capture them basking in the sunlight by a window, curled up on a fuzzy blanket by the fireplace, or getting ready to pounce on their toy. These positions are natural for your pets, so you won’t have to worry about trying to pose them. Feel free to get in the picture by cuddling or kissing your fluffy companion.

What equipment do you need for an at-home photoshoot?

Aside from fun backgrounds and interesting props, you may need the following for an at-home photoshoot:

• Camera. This is probably a given considering you won’t be able to take any pictures without a camera. However, the type of camera is up to you – no need to go out and purchase an expensive camera if you don’t want to. Many smartphone cameras are quite advanced and take high-quality photos, but if you are interested in buying a DSLR or digital camera, do some research first.
• Memory card: While most smartphones come with memory cards, cameras usually don’t. Memory cards come in different storage sizes and speeds, so make sure that the memory card you buy will be compatible with your choice of camera.
• Tripod: Using a tripod helps you get clear and sharp images even if you have a steady hand. Tripods are also helpful if you’re going solo on this photoshoot and need something to prop up your camera. Though you don’t need a top-of-the-line tripod, having an adjustable one is a game-changer for photographers of all levels. There are also smartphone-specific stands and mounts you can use to keep your camera steady.

What kind of lighting do you need for an at-home photoshoot?

So now that you know what type of backgrounds, props, and equipment you can use for a stunning home photoshoot, there’s one last consideration to cover: lighting. The type of lighting you choose can make all the difference in your photos’ atmosphere and mood. From natural lighting to galaxy laser lights, each type of light source will give your photos a unique effect. Consider these at-home photoshoot lighting ideas:

1. Spotlights

Highlight and focus on yourself or your photos’ subjects with a directional spotlight. Creating a focal point with a spotlight will help create dimension and sometimes a shadow effect for a dramatic look. Try using a black backdrop with all your lights off, except for a spotlight, to primarily light and strongly define one specific area.

2. Ring light

Get that professional model glow right in your own home with ring lights. To use ring lights, place your camera in the ring to eliminate shadows and glares common with other light sources. Rings are often used for glamour shots, headshots, portraits, and closeups. They also come in different sizes so you can get one that works for your space.

3. Natural light

Having a photoshoot at home may mean that you use only what you have available, and sometimes, that means relying solely on natural lighting. One way to work with natural light is by capturing the light coming through your windows. For some shots, you may also want to open your doors so even more light enters your home.

To avoid shadows and harsh glares while ensuring realistic skin tones in your photos, hold your photoshoot during golden hour. The yellow-red hue of natural light during this time can add a warm glow to your pictures and complement your surroundings without any electric lights.

4. LED lights

If you want versatile, inexpensive, cool lighting, LED lights are an option. LEDs use significantly less energy than all other types of lighting except laser lights, so they won’t get as hot. They often come in many colors and intensity levels so you can adjust as needed for your ideal photoshoot lighting.

5. Snow globe lighting

Snow globe lighting gets its name from the snow falling effect it produces when captured in just the right way – you don’t even need a snow globe to watch white specs dance around you. To achieve this lighting, just get under a knitted blanket, shine light downward, and take your photo from within. You’ll be amazed at the brilliant light patterns that come from something as simple as a blanket.

6. Colorful lights

Step out of your comfort zone and experiment with different colored lighting! You can use lighting gels to alter the color, brightness, and temperature of your original light source, or you can add colorful light bulbs to your photoshoot. Colorful laser bulbs such as the BlissLights BlissBulb come in red, blue, and green and shine thousands of colorful twinkling stars all around your room – stunning starry night photoshoots can happen indoors too.

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7. Laser lights

When taking photos, you should also think about how the ambiance of your room will translate in your photos. If you’re going for a soothing atmosphere or even a futuristic one, try using laser lights. These lights will instantly change the mood of your entire room. Consider the BlissLights Ark Ambient Aurora Light to fill your photo with a striking green aurora and floating blue nebulas.

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8. Galaxy lights

Transform your room into your own personal galaxy for an out-of-this-world photoshoot. With the BlissLights Sky Lite Evolve Galaxy Projector, you’ll be transported into a galaxy filled with glittering stars and drifting clouds. With the Sky Lite, you can take pictures in outer space without leaving the planet!

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The latest evolution in smart galaxy lighting.

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Three at-home photoshoot ideas

By now, you’re probably excited to get started with your at-home photoshoot, but you might still be asking yourself: What should I do? Here are some fun photoshoot ideas to get you started:

1. Fashionista theme. If you have a closet full of colorful, dramatic, or eccentric clothing, try a fashion-themed photoshoot. Use the inside of your closet as your backdrop, pick a pose, and model your wardrobe to the camera!
2. Fill your bathtub with balloons. Celebrations are always a great time for a photoshoot. Whether it’s your birthday, New Years’ Eve, or Valentine’s Day, you can blow up some balloons, stuff them into your bathtub, and toss them in the air for an incredible shot. You can also hang a streamer curtain in the back for some extra pizazz.
3. Use plants. If you’re looking to take photos with just a subtle hint of color, posing with plants is an easy way to add natural tones to your shots. Green plants next to a light-colored wall make for a beautiful image, especially if you’re wearing a gorgeous outfit. Plants under laser lights also look one-of-a-kind.

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