How to Photograph Reflective Ornaments

Last year when I listed my Pocket Mirror Christmas ornaments in my Etsy shop I was able to hang them on my Christmas tree to take pictures of them. I wanted to list some a little earlier this year, though, and since I don't have my Christmas tree up yet, I had to think of another way to photograph them.

I've detailed in an earlier post my creative solution to product photography with a limited budget and small living space. I started with the same basic plan to shoot in front of the glass door leading to the deck of my town house. I get good, open lighting for several hours of the day there.

I used pieces of foamboard again, standing one scored board on end and laying another one across the top. I grabbed one of my pin-back button parts and stuck it in the top board and draped the ribbon of the ornament over it, letting it hang freely, like this:



Since these ornaments are highly reflective it takes a little creative positioning to compensate for that. I've found that a strategically place black board can take care of the problem. Watch what the light is doing and how the reflection changes as you reposition this black board in front of the item you're shooting, varying the angle as necessary. Don't worry if you have to get a little of the foamboards in the picture because you can crop that out later.



I think these pictures turned out pretty well. What do you think? These ornaments were all made with Christmas print fabrics I've collected. I'll be listing these and others in my Etsy shop soon.

How Do You Do It?

How do you wear your faith?

Is it tucked away in a pocket for safekeeping? Or maybe draped around your neck on a delicate chain?

Some Christians wear their faith like a sandwich board sign. It covers them completely and announces to the world what they believe. No need to wonder where they stand on the issues because it’s spelled out in black and white, right there on the sign.

Did you ever try to move around quickly while wearing a sandwich board sign or bend over to help someone carry their load? Or sit down with them to have a cup of coffee and hear about their day? You could offer someone a shoulder to cry on but they’d just hurt themselves on the hard corner of that sign you’re always wearing. And don’t even bother trying to give someone a hug.

Personally, when I see someone on a crowded street wearing a sandwich board sign, I tend to avoid them. It may not even matter what they’re advertising, just the fact that they’re trying to push something on me makes me less likely to want to listen to anything they have to say.

Thinking about this made me wonder…how should we wear our faith? And then it came to me….

Innersoles.

You know, those soft padded things you put inside your shoes? They help you to

stand strong

run fast

walk as far as you need to walk.

They’re your foundation.

Nobody knows they’re in your shoes but you. But if someone is around you for very long they may notice that you

stand stronger

run faster

don’t falter when the journey is long or difficult.

And then one day someone will turn to you and say,

“How do you do it….?”