The other day, I was on a blogger forum where some lovely ladies were discussing how to get really good backdrops for photos, and I thought: “why not make a post about inexpensive DIY ways to get amazing photos for your blog (slash Instagram pics if you’re not a blogger)!?” So here it is: 3 DIY photography backdrops for bloggers. You’re not always in a position where you have a fabulous glam natural backdrop to work with, and sometimes you’ve just gotta improvise! No need to rent out a space or spend money on expensive backdrop equipment- these 3 DIY backdrops will cost you literal dollars to make, and are extremely effective!

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1. The All White Backdrop

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One of the most common blogger/photography backdrops: the all white errything. We’re not always as lucky to have an apartment with stark white walls, or even if we do it may not have fabulous lighting. Since natural lighting is the best for photos,  make that work for you with a mobile photography studio. This can be done with simply two white foam boards ($1 each from the Dollar Store) and a little bit of hot glue to hold the boards together forming a 90 degree angle so that you have both a base and a backdrop for your photos. This set up works wonderfully with bright colored objects being photographed.

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2. The Wood/Marble Backdrop

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The most popular when photographing food items, wood and marble backdrops photograph wonderfully. Not everyone has a wood table or marble counter top to take photos on, but that doesn’t mean you can’t create one! I use both this marble oversized cutting board, and wood cheese board to take my food prep photos on. The best part is, since they’re not glued on to anything in my house, I can take them outside where the best lighting is. If you’d rather  not invest in a marble or wood board, then you can actually make one yourself for only $2! The Dollar Store sells both marble vinyl wrap and wood vinyl wrap that will easily adhere to your foam board to create a simple, inexpensive, and lightweight backdrop!
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3. The Patterned Backdrop

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For photos that have a simple object in focus that you want to jazz up a little, try a patterned backdrop! We love fun patterns and bright colors, and it’s always great to play around and mix and match! You can use a roll of wrapping paper, craft paper, tissue paper, wall paper, or anything you find that suits you, and use spray adhesive to glue it on to your foam board for an instant patterned backdrop that can be taken to wherever the best lighting leads you!

One of the best things is that all of your photography boards can be customized and saved to reuse for future shoots, leaving you with a collection of colored, textured, and patterned boards to use as backdrops for your photos. We hope this helps you in making your photography days just a little easier (and cheaper), and helps improve your blog photos (or just really step up your Insta game). 

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Cheers, Darlings!

Well well well, darlings, it’s that time of year again! Time to make the idea of going back to school again or work again just a little more fab and a lot more glam! This month’s DIY post is all about how to glitz up your desk supplies whether that be in the office, for class, or even just at home!

For my desk supplies, I stuck with a color scheme: gold with touches of pink. The metallic gold not only makes work seem glam, but helps sparkle up my work space!

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Here’s the step-by-step to the ultimate darling DIY desk supplies:

 1. Srounge up some old desk supplies that need a little bit of updating. Mine included: a stapler, tape dispenser, ruler, composition books, clip boards, oversized paper clips, scissors, a letter organizer, and a mini storage box! I also included a “J” to decorate my space and claim my desk as my own!

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2. Now for the extras: double sided tape, masking tape, spray paint, festive paper, and fun decals!

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3. Be sure to get a “good” spray paint that will not leave a sticky residue- I chose this gorgeous 24K Gold Metallic finish spray paint!

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4. Now, darlings, time to bust out that masking tape! Securly tape off all of the areas that you do NOT want to be spraypainted- ie the actually cutting part of the scissors.

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 5. Spray the can evenly and thouroughly over the items to be glammed.

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6. Once the spray paint dries, pull off the masking tape for the finished product!

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7. Now it’s time to add some color to the clip boards! Find a fab piece of decorative paper for the clip board and measure to size.

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 8. Add double sided tape to the clip board to secure the decorative paper.

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9. TA-DA! You now have fab clip boards!

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10. Now onto the composition books. Tape off the outer edge, and use a Sharpie metallic marker or spray paint to add some color to the binding!

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11. Add the decorative paper to the covers for instant DIY notebooks!

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12. Time for a little personalization! I bought  “J” from Michael’s Arts and Crafts for only 99 cents! Time to add some pizzaz. using a pen, trace the shape of the letter onto the paper you wish to cover it!

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13. Cut out the drawn shape, and use double stick tape to attach it to the letter.

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14. Now add some fab decals for some personalized touches!

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 15. Be impressed with your finished product!

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Now it’s time to add your new DIY desk supplies to your work space and get inspired!

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So, darlings, pick a color scheme, roll your sleeves up, and get jammin’ on the glammin’! I feel fab every time I sit at my desk now- instant inspiration for the dedicated student, busy workaholic, and creative blogger!

Cheers, Darlings!