boy scrapbook pages, diy, photography, scrapbook pages

How to Photograph Scrapbook Layouts Using an iPhone

Scrapbook Pictures

Great product photos are everything – whether you are using them on a blog, for sales, or to have your images re-pinned on Pinterest.

I am always looking to sharpen my skills. With a tight camera and lighting budget, I have to make do with what I have.

Below are some tips for using your iPhone to best show off your scrapbooking works of art. I used an iPhone 5s for these layouts.

Carrots - after

1. Purchase a large white poster board from the craft store (around $1.00). It helps to clear the background in the pictures and provide a nice, neutral base. I like to use the shiny side too, in order to get the most out of my available light source.

2. Choose your poster board position carefully. As you can see, I like to have mine next to my craft room window. I also used a standing OTT light to the right, to help balance the light (you don’t want a lot of shadows).

Here is the view of my "photo studio" wall.
Here is the view of my “photo studio” wall.

3. Stick a piece of tape behind the layout and affix it to the board.

4. Take the photo using some kind of stabilizing structure. I don’t have a tri-pod, so I usually use my desk with a box on it to help hold the phone steady. Take several pictures so you can choose the best one.

5. I then clean up the image using either www.fotoflexer.com (a free site) or Afterlight (a $.99 app). You can use these to play with shadows and lighting, crop and rotate, etc. I also use Photoshop Elements 5.0 at the very end to add white paint to the background, making it as bright as possible.

Before and after editing my pictures.
Before and after editing my pictures.

That’s it! Now you can save and share your masterpieces!

With these tips, you can make sure your artwork is the focus - not a messy background.
With these tips, you can make sure your artwork is the focus – not a messy background.

carrots - mustache

altered art, card ideas, paper crafts

10 Fabulous Ways to Use Scrapbook Paper

So much amazing scrapbook paper! What shall I ever do with all of it?

I’m glad you asked! Here are ten fun ideas for what to do with all that delightful card stock. I would love to hear YOUR ideas too, so please feel free to comment.  🙂

1. Card Making

I love making greeting cards. Here are just a few of the pieces available now at my Bella Stitchery Etsy shop.

Let's Do Lunch Card
Let’s Do Lunch Card
Drive You Crazy Card
Drive You Crazy Card

2. Canvas Art

Super easy and a great way to display your favorite paper collection. This idea is from Better Homes and Gardens.

Canvas Art
Canvas Art

3. Bookmarks

These darling monsters are sure to delight kids of any age. Learn how to make these cuties at Tally’s Treasury.

Monster Bookmarks
Monster Bookmarks

4. Ornaments

SOOOO many darling, simple ideas on the Internet to inspire ornament making! Here is just one example, from Houzz.

Star Ornaments
Star Ornaments

5. Gift Wrap

These boxes are flippin’ adorable – who cares what’s inside?! The paper used is from October Afternoon, my current favorite brand.

Gift Wrap Embellishments
Gift Wrap Embellishments

6. Envelopes or Envelope Inserts

No matter what year it is, snail mail will always mean something special. You can easily personalize your envelopes using scrapbook paper. You can find some template designs at Apartment Therapy.

Envelopes
Envelopes

7. Flowers

I found this great blog with a tutorial for twenty different paper flowers. Check out It’s Always Autumn for the directions.

Paper Flowers
Paper Flowers

8. Banners

I have to admit, I’m a huge fan of banners. I make them for my fireplace mantle for the holidays, baby showers, bridal showers, birthdays. I am kind of obsessed. This is one I made for a baby shower a few years back.

Banner
Baby shower banner I made for a friend.

9. Decorate Office Supplies

This adorable file folder is from This Art Makes Me Happy. What a great idea! I’m sure you can extend this idea to include things like desk drawer liners, pen holder cups – the possibilities are endless!

File Folder
File Folder

10. Scrapbook Pages

Let’s not forget the obvious, too. Scrapbook paper is perfect for….scrapbooking! Here is a page I made for my shop.

My girly scrapbook layout on Etsy
My girly scrapbook layout on Etsy

Layout

Thanks so much, friends! Hope you feel inspired! Keep in touch – I would love to hear your ideas too, and see what wonderful works of art you create!

xoxo

Genevieve