DIY brand photoshoot before & after pics + the apps I used

Last weekend, in my bare feet, no make up, hair not touched (or washed lol)- I took these photos in half an hour, then I edited them using the apps below which took hardly any time and was actually pretty fun.

I think they turned out OK. Definitely not professional but good enough for some better looking content than usual! (see below for some more):

Before I spill the beans on how I tidied these up and made myself look a bit more 'finished', a disclaimer about 'instaperfection.' 

To be frank, I don't believe in it. If you follow me you'll know most of videos, live trainings, photos etc I look as dishevelled as the next mum. 

BUT I do believe having some professional brand photos will elevate your online presence and help you take things to the next level. 

And I just don't have time for a pro photoshoot, hair & make up session to boot at the moment. 

So I cheated. 

Anyway, point being, so can you if you're inclined to get this done and start getting yourself out there! Here's how:

Step 1: Get rid of everyone out your house and mentally prepare yourself to feel a bit silly for a while. You need to laugh at nothing to get a decent smile sometimes! 

Step 2: Grab your iPhone, find some spots with good natural light (but don't stress if it's not that good) and stick in some decent looking props from around the house if you want to (also not essential). 

Step 3: Use a table, box, whatever's at hand to prop your phone up with. Someone in The Members' Club suggested a fat bit of wood with velcro and I thought that was a brilliant idea!

- face towards the natural light 
- don't bother about make up if you don't want to
- try to deal with fly away hair, that was a bit of an issue for me!

Take as many pics as you can, check them as you go, channel your alter ego and just throw yourself into getting some good shots- this is not a time for introvert you. Plus, no one's watching, so why not?

I faced the phone towards me and used the self timer so I could see I was in shot etc. It's great if you've got portrait mode on your iPhone but that actually won't work if you're facing the phone towards you. 

EDITING

Step 1: Download two FREE apps on your iphone- Lightroom and Airbrush.

Step 2: Open Lightroom and upload your chosen pick. Go to the 'presets' option and select 'bright'. You can try the other options but bright is the one I used. Then, for most of the picks I also adjusted the exposure a little for even more brightness. And no, they're not perfect but I don't care! Save and download to your photos. 

Step 3: Open Airbrush. Go to makeup, and play with the make up options. For most of mine I used subtle or nude. Honestly, airbrush is hilarious. You can do all sorts of silly things (think make yourself look like a stick) but that's not the point. Just slap some makeup on and go. LOL. Finally, go into tools and you'll see a 'blur' option. Blur the background as you like. Crop and you're DONE!

Once you've done this a couple of times it only takes a few minutes for one pic. 

There you have it!

What do you think? Comment below and let me know if this has inspired you or if you really do think I'm nuts now!