When you're building a business from scratch, especially as a side hustle, you’re often faced with a choice: pay your bills or pay a photographer. If you’ve been staring at your phone, scrolling through Instagram, wondering how on earth everyone else has such gorgeous, professional-looking photos, I’m here to let you in on a little secret—you can do it yourself. And no, it doesn’t require a magic wand or a trust fund. Just $50. Yep, you read that right.
Intrigued? Let’s dive into some clever, cost-effective hacks to get those stunning shots you’ve been dreaming of, all while keeping your wallet (mostly) intact.
Intrigued? Let’s dive into some clever, cost-effective hacks to get those stunning shots you’ve been dreaming of, all while keeping your wallet (mostly) intact.
1 | Lighting? On point!
If there’s one thing that can make or break a photo, it’s lighting. Photographers will spend thousands on the perfect setup, but you can hack your way to beautifully lit images with a few simple tricks. Start by taking advantage of natural light—think big windows or a shady spot outdoors. If the sunlight isn’t playing nice, create your own soft lighting by hanging a white sheet over a window or grabbing a couple of affordable white foam boards (around $10 from your local craft store) to bounce light onto your subject.
And here’s a cheeky little hack—use your phone’s torch and cover it with a white plastic bag to diffuse the light for close-up shots. Instant softbox! This hack costs absolutely nothing if you have a few household items on hand.
And here’s a cheeky little hack—use your phone’s torch and cover it with a white plastic bag to diffuse the light for close-up shots. Instant softbox! This hack costs absolutely nothing if you have a few household items on hand.
2 | Backgrounds that pop off on a budget
Ever notice how professional photos always have those crisp, clean backgrounds that make the subject stand out? Well, you don’t need a fancy studio backdrop to achieve this look. Grab a roll of white or coloured poster paper from your nearest dollar store (usually $5 or less) or use a plain bedsheet you already own. For a more rustic vibe, look around your home or neighbourhood for textured walls, greenery, or wooden surfaces.
Feeling adventurous? A tin foil backdrop creates an edgy, reflective background that adds depth and dimension. Simply tape it to your wall, and voila—instant glam without the price tag. And yes, tin foil costs less than $2.
Feeling adventurous? A tin foil backdrop creates an edgy, reflective background that adds depth and dimension. Simply tape it to your wall, and voila—instant glam without the price tag. And yes, tin foil costs less than $2.
3 | Get that money shot! Angles + posing 101
Believe it or not, you don’t need to hire a photographer to figure out your best angles. A simple tripod (you can snag one for around $15 on Amazon or eBay) and your smartphone’s self-timer feature will do the trick. And if you don’t want to splash out on a tripod, balance your phone on a stack of books, a chair, or even Blu-Tack it to the wall for some creative angles.
Now, about those poses. Practise in front of a mirror, watch YouTube videos, or follow photographers on Instagram who share tips on posing. Play with angles by tilting your head slightly or using your hands to create different shapes. You’ll be surprised at how small tweaks can make a big difference.
Now, about those poses. Practise in front of a mirror, watch YouTube videos, or follow photographers on Instagram who share tips on posing. Play with angles by tilting your head slightly or using your hands to create different shapes. You’ll be surprised at how small tweaks can make a big difference.
You can also grab our free DIY
4 | Props without breaking the bank
Props can take your photos from amateur to wow in an instant, and creates versatility for you to generate a whole library of diverse photos that could last your 6-12 months. But before you go adding things to your cart, check out what you already have around the house. Books, mugs, candles, flowers, your laptop—everyday items can add personality and context to your shots.
If you want to add a touch of nature, pop out to your garden (or the local park) and pick a few flowers or leaves. Use string lights, which you can often find for under $10, to create a dreamy, twinkling effect. And don’t forget your wardrobe—check out our DIY Photo Guide to find out more about how to coordinate your outfits.
If you want to add a touch of nature, pop out to your garden (or the local park) and pick a few flowers or leaves. Use string lights, which you can often find for under $10, to create a dreamy, twinkling effect. And don’t forget your wardrobe—check out our DIY Photo Guide to find out more about how to coordinate your outfits.
5 | Editing magic — creating consistency
No photo is complete without a bit of editing, but you don’t need to splurge on pricey software to make your pics pop. Apps like Snapseed, VSCO, and Lightroom’s free mobile version offer powerful editing tools right at your fingertips. Play with brightness, contrast, and saturation to enhance your images. And remember, a little goes a long way—you want your photos to look polished, not overdone.
And here’s the cherry on top —invest in a couple of affordable presets (yes, you can find them for under $10) to add that consistent, professional finish to all your photos. Presets are a game-changer, giving your images a cohesive look with just one click. You can download our favourites for FREE in our DIY Guide.
And here’s the cherry on top —invest in a couple of affordable presets (yes, you can find them for under $10) to add that consistent, professional finish to all your photos. Presets are a game-changer, giving your images a cohesive look with just one click. You can download our favourites for FREE in our DIY Guide.
Ready to show the world your new DIY photography skills? Share your pics on social media and tag us—we’d love to see what you create! ✨
