5 Tips for Photographing Your Knits

You have knitted or designed a beautiful piece and would love to share it with others. Does it, however, feel as though the photos you take don’t do it justice? Knitting photography is its own art form, so getting acquainted with the best way to do it can be a nice addition to your hobby. And if you want to be a knitwear designer, photographs will be an important part of your career.

So, how do you take good pictures of your knitwear? Jonna Hietala, the co-founder of Laine, and Ronja Hakalehto, a Finnish knitwear designer, are both known for their gorgeous photos and they are happy to share their tips.

1. You can use any camera 

“A great photo doesn’t come from a fancy, expensive camera but from you — how you see the world and show that through the camera lens,” Ronja says. So yes, you can use your phone to take your pictures. Instead of concentrating on the camera, pay attention to the mood of your photo. “Use the image to create a story that you want to tell with your knit,” Jonna advises. Ask yourself what kind of person would wear the knit and what feeling you want to evoke with the photo.

2. Shoot on a cloudy day 

The best time to have a photoshoot is on a cloudy day. As Jonna explains: “That’s when the light is more evenly dispersed, the colours won’t be overexposed and the shadows aren’t too strong.” A little drizzle or otherwise humid air will further enhance the colours. If you need to shoot on a sunny day, it’s best to look for a place that is shaded from the sun. Taking the photos in the morning or evening, when the sun is lower in the sky, also helps. “Photography is about capturing the light, and the light determines what the photo will look like and what kind of mood it will have. I always shoot in natural light, because it brings out the colours and textures in knitwear the best,” Ronja says.

3. Editing is important

“You don’t take a photo, you make a photo” — according to Jonna, a good photo is much more than just pushing a button on a camera. “An edited photo has more personality and also looks more real, because we experience colours and contrasts differently than a camera. When looking at a good photo, you almost feel the yarn in your fingers.”

There are photo-editing programs and apps for your computer and phone. For example, Snapseed is a good, free app you could try. You can also use your phone’s own photo app to edit photos. At minimum, try adding a bit of contrast, as that adds depth to the photo. Experiment with the different settings and learn through practise. Ronja adds: “If you feel overwhelmed, YouTube has a lot of tutorials on photo editing.”

4. Consider what else is shown in the photo

“If I have a knit with lots of decorative elements, I choose a more subdued background that will allow for all the details to show,” Ronja explains. Similarly, when shooting a neutral-coloured knit, you can bring some colour into the pic with the background or another item in the outfit. “Styling matters: make sure the rest of the clothes fit the story and style you’re going for,” Jonna instructs. Styling and everything else that is going on in the photo are also an easy way to create the feeling of a story. For example, the photo can feature you knitting or drinking coffee.

5. Seek inspiration and experiment 

Browse through all kinds of publications for inspiration. Jonna loves fashion magazines for this purpose. “Don’t be afraid to try different styles and think about new ways to shoot socks, for example.”

Ronja wants to encourage everyone to take photos wearing the knits instead of flat lays. “If you feel uncomfortable posing in front of the camera with someone else behind it, try taking the pics alone with a tripod. This is how I take all of my own photos.”

What are some of your tips for taking the best photos? Share your tips below in comments!

TEXT: PAULIINA KUUNSOLA
ILLUSTRATION: PAULIINA HOLMA 

This feature was first published in Laine issue 25.