Hello @gamergirlcodingclever ! Thank you so much for this message, I really appreciate it!
Here are some things I like to keep in mind when taking my photos:
I try my best to take photos during the day and near a window so that I can harness natural lighting. I find that using natural lighting really brightens my photos, and balances out shadows! It also keeps my photos consistent as there is less discrepancy of lighting between each photo. (Although natural lighting, of course, does change from day to day.)
If you are unable to access natural light for your photos, do not fret! I would simply recommend sticking with a consistent means of lighting. (Eg, using a lamp for all your photos, or ceiling lights for all your photos). I would also suggest shifting the ‘cast’ setting when editing your photos to make the lighting appear less yellow and more clean (if that is the aesthetic/look you are going for.)
Don’t be scared to experiment with props! At first, I would only take photos with books and my notes. Now, as I feel more confident in the photos I take, I am playing around a lot more with props (such as candles, jewellery charms, illustrations, decorative bottles, plants etc.) I have found that they add more character to my photos – especially when taking theme photos (eg. Harry Potter photos.)
I recommend keeping the background of your photos simple to decrease clashing of the background and the main focus of the image. (That is unless you want the background to play a focal part in the composition of your photo.) I have personally found that sticking with a clean and consistent background has helped keep my photos consistent. (In short, leave enough “whitespace”.) I use plain white bedsheets and an embroidered pink quilt as the backdrop to my photos. It is not too busy, which allows me to add more detail into the actual focus of the image using props.
This does not mean, however, that your background has to be boring! I recommend adding scarves, blouses and other similar items that are the same colour as the book/prop you’re taking a photo of to the background of your images. I find this is an easy way to add colour to photos, to make photos more interesting to the eye, and to ground the focus of the image.
If you are taking photos of books, here are some examples of simple props that I find assist me in decorating the spread for my photos: bookmarks, flowers, leaves, torn pieces of coloured paper, open books, candles, lockets, watches, pocket watches, pendants, shells, pens, decorative cards, ribbons, mugs, pins/badges/magnets, perfume bottles, decorative tins, ceramics etc. And the list goes on! (These props would work with other non-book related photos as well!)
Scrolling through Pinterest and Instagram serves as the best source of inspiration! Saving photos of spreads and layouts that you really like is helpful – return to these photos when you are creating your own layout and use inspiration from the image you saved in your own composition! (Remember, however, to give credit where it’s due.)
I hope this long and extremely messy/unorganised list helps! In all honesty, I’m no professional and I don’t exactly know what I’m doing😂 I just try to take photos that I personally enjoy and assume that if I enjoy them, other people will to. Good luck with everything, I hope I could help!Thanks again for the message, it really brightened my day ☺️
1. Not living in the moment. Always wishing you were somewhere else, doing something different with other people.
2. Blaming your problems on your past. Although the past affects us, it need not define us. We can choose, decide and act – and take control of our lives. Don’t let your past heartache and pain affect who you become.
3. Running away from problems. It’s pointless to bury your head in the sand and pretend that things are fine when you’re dealing with a problem. Face reality, take action and work to turn things round.
4. Being ungrateful. Being thankful sets you free in your heart and mind. It inspires all that’s good and, also, oils relationships. But an ungrateful person will wear others down. It destroys your spirit, and it saps your energy.
5. Being angry and bitter. Refusing to forgive and bearing grudges against others will slowly poison our personality. It’s much better to release them and to focus, instead, on living a happy and fulfilling life.
6. Letting your expectations rule your life. Life rarely goes smoothly and according to plan – and people disappoint us and let us down. Accepting this is normal takes some tension out of life.
7. Disrespecting yourself and others. Every single person deserves respect, and every single person is fighting their own battle. So focus on being kind, understanding and forgiving.
8. Neglecting important relationship. A relationship that’s built on unconditional love – where a person accepts us for who and what we are – is truly a gift and is worth fighting for. Don’t take it for granted – recognise that it’s a gift.
9. Loving people who are bad for us. Not every person will build into your life. Be aware of those who who’ll use you, or who want to bring you down, or who want to hurt you, or destroy your confidence.
10. Never taking risks. If you always play it safe, you’ll find you end up going nowhere. You must be ready and willing to take risks. If you don’t, you may regret it as you’ll miss so much in life.
-bless your morning tea/coffee every day. Set an intention like, “I am confident and happy, and I love myself” whilst stirring it, then tap the spoon on the mug 3 times to seal it.
-look at your crystals and pick one that matches your needs. Tell the crystal what you’d like to attain from it. Carry it around!
-bless your water before you drink it. Just say “blessed be” and imagine a purifying light shining through it.
-when my friends are sad, I like to send a blessing in my head towards them. “may X have protection and feel loved today”. Obviously you should also try and talk to them if you can, but this is a nice option too.
-make crystal elixirs by sticking a crystal into a jar of water overnight (or for a couple of hours). You can intensify your intention by putting a sigil onto the jar as well. Remember to research the crystals to make sure they’re safe in water first!
-do you spend a lot of time on your phone? Try to put it down for 5 minutes before bed time and just BE. It’s technically meditating but call it whatever you want! Put some selenite in your hand to help purify your energy even more.
-speaking of meditating, when you’re travelling somewhere, try to look around you and find bits of natural life to look at. Quiet your mind and try to focus on those things.
-when you shower, visualise the water washing off all of the bad energies, and sending them down the drain!
-drink herbal tea that corresponds to your intentions.
-open your window at least once a day to cleanse the room and make it feel lighter!
-practise self-care in any form if you are able. Self care truly is witchcraft.
Remember, nobody except you can define your craft. Don’t let anyone tell you that you’re doing it wrong!
When you feel like you have lost your way, it’s because a new path is waiting. Being inbetween worlds can invoke a feeling of hopelessness, this too will pass, keep moving forward. The tunnel is dark, but at the end there is always new light.
An essential crystal healing tool and a good choice for your first crystal. Do not be fooled into thinking this crystal is boring. Clear Quartz crystals are probably the most versatile crystals and can be programmed for any purpose. They can direct energies and enhance the energy of other crystals. It is cleansing, helps bring clarity while also keeping your energy and aura bright and strong.
💎Amethyst: The Psychic Powerhouse
It may be suitable for beginners but it can still blow your socks off. Super spiritual Amethyst connects you with your spiritual power. Deeply cleansing, this violet crystal purifies negative energies. You can also use Amethyst for protection and developing your natural psychic abilities.
💎Tiger’s Eye: The Confidence builder
This banded golden brown stone carries a more masculine energy. An ideal crystal for helping build confidence and self belief. You can also use Tiger’s Eye for protection. This golden stone connects us with the Earth, making it a good choice for grounding yourself.
💎Rose Quartz: The Earth Mother
Possibly the ultimate comfort crystal. Rose Quartz is the Mother of all crystals. Gentle and soothing, it helps heal emotional pain. Opening the Heart Chakra it allows you to feel compassion for others and yourself. The is the self love stone.
💎 Hematite: The Bouncer
This dark grey metallic crystal shields you from psychic attacks and negative energy. Hematite strengthens your aura while defecting harmful energies, pulling them into the Earth for healing and transmutation. Hematite is the bouncer of the crystal world.
💎Smoky Quartz: The Negativity Buster
This form of Quartz crystal can be brown to smoky black in colour. Smoky Quartz absorbs negative energies from around you or those created by our own negative thought patterns. Also another good crystal for grounding and protection. It works with the Earth Star Chakra.
💎Citrine: The Prosperity Magnet
This golden crystal is renowned for its ability to draw prosperity and abundance into your life. Citrine is also good for self confidence as it opens up the Solar Plexus Chakra. This crystal can also be used to detoxify negative energies from the aura and encourage a more positive state of mind.
SugarFreePeach 