With the turn of the decade, it’s likely many of us have compiled a fresh set of goals we’re eagerly planning to pursue throughout the course of 2020 and beyond. For some of us, one of those goals might include taking a leap of faith and finally kick-starting that bookstagram account we’ve always dreamed of. For others, it may be a case of continuing to creatively evolve an already-established bookstagram. Either way, a vital component to the success of any bookstagram account — irrespective of whether it’s brand spanking new or been around for years— is of course, a feed comprised of eye-catching bookish photography.
As someone who’s been on bookstagram since 2017, I’ve come to learn a bit about bookish photography styles during my time on the platform. And while it seems obvious to me now, I’ll never forget the cluelessness I experienced in the early days of running my account, when I was tasked with figuring out different ways to showcase my books in order to snap an aesthetically-pleasing photo. As such, in an effort to help out any bookstagram newbies who may be facing a similar dilemma, or perhaps experienced bookstagrammers struggling in a creative dry spell, I’ve decided to compile a short list of bookish photography styles that I’ve found to be really effective when it comes to sharing your beloved reads with the bookstagram community. Sound good? Alright, let’s dive in!
Bookish Flat Lay:
Ah, the good old flat lay. A personal favourite, and the first bookish photography style I experimented with on my account. For those unsure, a bookish flat lay refers to a photo taken from a bird’s-eye view of a book and (possibly) other items arranged on a flat surface. The book is usually the main focus of the photo and any other items (such as props or digital embellishments), strategically placed to enhance or complement the book.
Flat lays are a great way of showcasing the front covers of books — allowing you to capture small artistic details that are often missed when utilising other photography styles. For this reason, flat lays have become my go-to style when promoting books in collaboration with publishers or individual clients who typically want the book title, author’s name and cover graphics clearly displayed in the photo. Flat lays are also handy as they allow you to distinctly feature multiple books in the same picture, and in my experience, are usually the easiest and fastest bookish displays to set up, photograph and pack down —perfect for beginners and those who are time-poor!