Why Do All Our Photos Look The Same?

One of my favourite things to do in the evenings or at the weekend is take some time out, sit down with a cuppa, read the blogs I follow and immerse myself in their beautiful writing and photography. There's something magical about a blog as an endless catalogue of thoughts; a unique place where an individual's writing illuminates their personality and their photos transport us to a place of beauty (and usually envy). But recently, I've noticed that a lot of bloggers have the same style of photography, and the props, backgrounds and lighting of these unique, individual blogs are all blurring into one.


Of course, there is more to a blog than photos. Even if your photography style is similar to another blogger's, other aspects of your site (such as writing, unique selling point, particular passions) contribute to making that corner of the internet your personal stamp. Regardless, for many it is their photos which make their blog stand out from the rest. I'm not suggesting that if our blog photography becomes too 'same-y', then we lose our identity/importance altogether- I don't believe this in the slightest- but does it not get boring for us to see the same style of image on every blog we visit?



The typical bright, light, sharp photos that grace many blogs nowadays are stunning. I love looking at these images, getting lost for hours in their ethereal charm and delicate nature. A beautiful photo can frame a beautifully written post and be the edge that sets it above the rest of the blogging pack. So, if all our photos are edited in the same fashion, if we all use the same elegant white backgrounds and softness of a flower prop, how do we set our blogs apart through our photography?


I'm not saying we should all use low-light blurry images just so we can stand out from other blogs. There is nothing wrong with using the photography style I have described in this post. I often find myself trying to emulate this exact style because of how beautiful the photos turn out. But if we all try to emulate the same thing, that's when our blogs start visually blending in. We find ourselves blindly following these trends because they look pretty. It is, of course, perfectly fine to take inspiration from other blogs, to bounce of other people's ideas to formulate your own opinions; that's just how self-development works.




I just feel like photos need shaking up a little to make them different, to make them fit your own personal style and the brand of your blog. Surely there is no point following a trend if it doesn't fit your style? Sure, try it out, but a particular style of photography isn't going to suit everyone. I feel that a lot of blogs have picked up on these trends, and I'm *kind of* getting a bit bored of seeing the same image formula over again.




What do you think about blog photography? Is it all blurring into one or do you feel each blog has it's own unique photography style?




(Disclaimer: I'm not singling out any blog in particular, it's just a general observation about the blogging world, PLZ DON'T HATE ME)
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10 comments

  1. I definitely see this a lot and try to not fall victim to it (which I think is helped by the fact that I studied photography at uni, so I already have a certain "style"). It think the main thing is that photography is really new to a lot of bloggers and they are still learning. So they DON'T have a personal style. But they WILL get there someday, if they keep working, and that's really great. :D

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    1. I totally agree. It's all about finding your feet and that definitely come with time with blogging x

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  2. I totally agree! I've just started learning how to photograph products but they really do look the same as everyone else's :( I have no idea how to make them both attractive and different at the same time!

    hellomissjordan.blogspot.co.uk xx

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    1. Same, I find it hard to think of an original way to photograph without distracting from the product etc. I love your photography by the way! Xx

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  3. I was thinking this ages ago. People go on about being individual and letting personality shine through, but if everyone follows the same success formula to achieving good photography how is it possible to stand out? I get so bored of all the same props being used as well, but I think it's due to the fact how long you decide to spend looking at a blog the first time depends on aesthetics and how good the photography is.

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    1. You can let personality shine through writing to a certain extent but I totally agree that photography is the initial thing that draws you in. And if that blog is using the same flowers as everyone else- why read that blog over the others?

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  4. I definitely think this was a great post to put out there as I don't like their being 'taboos' in blogging tbh it's silly. I agree, it's so hard to stand out, I always try my best to have my own personal touch and props- not just candles/cactuses and roses haha but really the amount of bloggers out there now it's hard for beauty photography to stand out- I find lifestyle and landscape easier xxx


    Blonde Of Carbs

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    1. Definitely. There's not a massive scope in style when photographing beauty products- it's really difficult to think of something original xxx

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  5. Also important question, "Why do all our blog templates look the same??" (I FALL VICTIM TO THIS SO I CAN'T SAY ANYTHING) Not gonna lie, I started out emulating other bloggers' photography styles before I gradually developed my own. Not saying my method of arranging/editing photos is unique, but part of the appeal is the reinforcement that bloggers' photos look best on white backgrounds with succulents and flowers. On the other hand, I just finished writing up a post where I interviewed several bloggers and examined their photos and I loved seeing how different everyone's styles were. So really, I guess it all depends on your crowd and who the author is.

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    1. Very true, it's becoming more and more difficult to find unique ways to make your blog stand out.

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