![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIbfWtgVjbf3HOZOxApCV92-dillHR7PoAJZJd3ycaBUvyRDddiWoXHdRmDQ14PuyGgUiN0YbbkQz8nAB7Txm0eF_jfI2cNVOp14yp7sp6t3fkHjEipzGpb0SAaPjZslPquUXbIjbldeI/s1600/living+room_4+copy_1+copy+2.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrx4mX6IO-BNcsJPA6Yj-0u0jbCHMzprWz-2a3fQ236H4gSNv0hZABnP_C7q66UZ3jzN6xAnOIiCixF_B26qbiAu3MzYoclYPridw7wh5dwrzdm5rnPpWQ0JFkW54gw_wyw9wQK2Wn3SU/s1600/IMG_3060+copy.jpg)
Today I wanted to share the top things that have helped me get this far.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5XnhXlpuQeb60lcdxbdhlSw5GcPRGd_dJt4UheV2xbNsr9NHP41n-rt4e-DKeny6PLP4Cv8GCVZwymW2SvnyCjTTQynXbxzEgg8k_U25XlpDhr_K_meu10mQxdNmaJXPRPicD13fj5BY/s1600/Strongman+After-001.jpg)
1. Knowing my camera: I know, I know grooooaaan... but learning the ins and outs of my camera has totally changed my ability to take better photos. I own a Canon Rebel DSLR which has a lot of setting options, but even knowing how to adjust little settings on my iPhone makes a huge difference. (Did you know you could tap different areas on the view screen to adjust the exposure?) If you're overwhelmed and need somewhere to start I would recommend a) figuring out how to turn off the flash and b) learning how your camera uses white balance. Trust - those two will help a ton.
2. Getting a tripod!: Oh my gosh. I got a tripod between the two couch pictures above (it was a Christmas gift). See how much more clear the image is? That's because using a tripod helps me take advantage of my camera's shutter speed options in low light situations, which let's face it, is almost every indoor light situation. If you own a camera that lets you control shutter speed, buy a tripod.
3. Finding editing software I love: For me, this was Photoshop. This might be another grooaaan moment because photoshop is so expensive, but I thought I needed to at least mention it. Photoshop has been a monumental help in my photo life - there's a reason it costs so much, super quality. If you have photoshop and you're curious, I mostly use the free Photoshop actions from Pioneer Woman to edit my photos.
4. Taking a million photos: For every photo you see on the blog, there were probably 5 others that didn't make the cut. I take SO many photos and with each one I feel myself getting more confident with my camera and creative with the composition of my photos. Practice makes perfect - there's a reason that saying is so cliche ;)
Do you have any tips that have changed your photo taking life? Share them in the comments so we can all learn together - thank you in advance!
PS. My apartment made it into Apartment Therapy's Small Cool Contest! Eeeeee!!! Take a second to check it out if you want. I'd also be so so grateful if you feel like voting for me :)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsf5V8rRnh2XpnQWk5U2l0BOSarkEOw4pbehkmURLuyi-Nu_GrLHoy04oLzHpJKX8k6GtmIOh0nHhulH7ZZgYSsAfjDNB8YMHRMo0T5eDzGrFGsVVdIVDzhD3UctKlCab2OF-JoFhnaPQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-04-13+at+10.17.44+AM+copy.jpg)