DIY: Textured Concrete Look Photography Backdrop (For Under $10!)

This Step by Step Tutorial will show you how to make an Easy DIY Textured Concrete Look Photo Backdrop on a Budget (For less than $10 each!). This handmade photo board is the perfect background for product photography, bloggers, food photography, flat lay photos and more! 

Click here to pin this tutorial on Pinterest!

Photography, it might seem simple and straightforward - but when you're photographing for a blog or a business, a seemingly simple thing can suddenly become complicated - and expensive. 

That styled flat lay? You've got to have a background, some perfectly curated props, the right angle - the list goes on and on. 

Over the last 10 years of blogging (yep! 10 years! I was blogging before Southern In Law too!) I've seen photos change dramatically - and if you're a blogger or an "influencer" or even a brand today, you're probably feeling the pressure.

But I want to help you take some of the pressure off!

You see, a quick Google search will give you hundreds of thousands of photography backdrop/photography board/photography backgrounds you can buy - but they're pricey. A single backdrop could set you back $75-100, especially if it's textured.... but what if I told you that you could make your own DIY Textured Backdrop for around $7? 

That's exactly what this DIY will show you how to do. In just a few hours (I say hours because it needs to dry, but it will only involve about 10-15 minutes of actual work) you'll have a custom made textured concrete look backdrop that's perfect for photos. 

Whether you're a food blogger wanting to take beautiful food photos, a beauty vlogger wanting a background for Instagram flat lays or a business owner looking for new ways to photograph products for your website, this backdrop DIY is perfect for you. 

So let me show you how to make it! >> 

Three Years Later - Our Wedding Anniversary Photo Shoot

I've been sharing sneak peeks of our anniversary shoot here and there but I finally have all of the photos and I thought I'd share a bunch of them with you today for a little something different! 

As always, these photos were taken by the incredibly talented Lucie of Lucie Zeka Wedding Photography and I was lucky enough to have a beautiful friend, Miriana of MBK Makeup do my makeup for the photo shoot as well. 

Both ladies are exceptional and the two professionals you need to work with if you're doing a photoshoot or planning a wedding or event in Sydney. 

 

In case you're new to Southern In Law , I should probably explain our Wedding Anniversary tradition! 

I explained it all in this post; Our Anniversary Tradition and How to Make a Family Tradition but basically each year on our anniversary, instead of buying gifts for one another, we do a photo shoot in the same place we had our wedding photos and engagement photos so we can see how we've changed over the years and so we always have at least one set of photos of us each year (because I'm usually always the one behind the camera!)

Lucie also shared more photos on her website here so be sure to check them out! 

But tell me, do you have any family/personal traditions? 

And are you the photo taker or the subject? 

When's the last time you had your photo taken? 

    

   

Bridal Inspiration Shoot: Romantic Woodland Inspired Wedding

Photos by Lucie Zeka Wedding Photography Sydney

Jesse and I have been married for two years now, however, I still love all things weddings. The dresses, the themes, the hairstyles, the makeup, the flowers and especially the photos. 

Luckily, I have a wonderful friend who not only shot our wedding, but manages to capture cherished memories for other brides; Sydney Wedding Photographer Lucie Zeka! 

Lucie and her husband Alban have become good friends of Jesse and I and when Lucie asked me if I'd be interested in working with her on a bridal photoshoot, I'll admit I was a little hesitant, but I know how incredible Lucie's work is so I happily agreed! 

I've been sharing photos here and there on our Instagram and Facebook pages, however, I thought I'd share all of the photos with you in one post so that you can have a look for yourself! 

Here's the photos from our Bridal Inspiration Shoot >> 

Our Little Family Photo Shoot at Verve Portraits

It's no secret that Jesse and I are crazy in love with our pup, Chanel. Actually, the entire family is. We all gush over her and think she's the cutest darn thing in the whole wide world - and she is. 

So naturally, when Verve Portraits got in touch with us about running a competition to give away four Verve Portraits experiences and coming in for our own photo shoot, I knew we had to bring Chanel along too! 

Verve's studios are incredible as they allow the photographers to get super creative. They have drive in studios so they've had people bring in their cars, motorcycles and even horses - so teeny little Chanel was very welcome. 

 

So way back in December we loaded up Chanel's toys and bed and popped her in the car and Jesse, Katrina and I headed off to Verve's Rushcutter's Bay Studio...

Friday Favourites: 15 June 2012

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Favourite wedding tips; 

This post by Jessica at How Sweet Eats on What to add to your Wedding Registry is an excellent one! Jessica wrote this list based on her own experience of what she uses and what she wishes she had of registered for. 

The comments on this post are also excellent for more ideas! Jessica and commenters mentioned lots of things that, while extremely useful and everyday items, you'd probably forget all about while registering. 

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Favourite photography ideas: 

I have a few newborn/baby shoots coming up, so while looking for tips I found this post. All of the photos are brilliant and gave me some good ideas! 

Source When my friend makes something she swears is gluten free

New Favourite blog: 

When I went Gluten Free. Seriously, everything she posts is SO TRUE! If you're gluten intolerant you will love this blog. 

The above face is also seen by me when I eat something that tastes really good, but is supposedly gluten free. I then go into this odd state of "HOLD ON A SECOND??! This is too good to be true!?!?" and check the ingredients list a dozen times. 

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Favourite funny: 

The whole visa process really makes this stress reduction kit necessary, sometimes it's all I want to do. Much better than tearing your hair out ;P 

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New books to read: 

This post from Chelsea at Clean Eating Chelsey has some excellent suggestions. While it's not Summer here in Australia, I'm adding a lot of them to my to-read list! 

I'm desperate to read Kelle Hampton's book Bloom after reading her blog for some time, both of her girls are beautiful (and so is she!) and I'd love to read more about how her daughter, Nella changed her life. 

Favourite post from me:

This week, my first week of blogging, saw me post the story of how my fiance and I met. I didn't realise quite how emotional I would get writing it and the few comments I received on the post made me so happy! 

So tell me - do you have any Friday favourites to share?