Behind the Scenes Tag

I love reading tag posts. They’re fun and let me get to know the writer a bit more, so after seeing Chelle’s video on the Behind the Scenes tag I thought I would give it a go as well. The original tag was video-centric so I changed some of the question to fit in with a blog better.

I hope you enjoy!

What it looks like when I’m taking photos: a commandeered coffee table sitting between our failing container garden, cat toys, cat box and LEGO…

What camera do you use?

I have a Sony NEX-5. It’s not a DSLR but it does have interchangeable lenses (I just have the one that came with camera, but I’d love to get a macros lens!) and it’s got some pretty excellent manual settings. It’s a really great inbetweener between a point and shoot and a DSLR.

What editing system do you use?

This is where you can tell that this was original a video tag. 😉 For blog photos I use Photoshop CS4 (so ancient now) and for Instagram I use a combination of VSCO Cam and Instagram’s settings.

Do you use artificial or natural lighting?

All natural! It can be a pretty big pain when there’s no light let me tell ya…

What is the top item on your blogging wish list?

Probably lights . It’d be a learning curve for sure, but it’d free up when I can take photos. I would also love a lens that’s better for close up product shots.

What is your favorite day in the week to blog?

I putz throughout the week on it, but lately I’ve really enjoyed blogging on the weekends because the CBB has a progress thread every week where we motivate each other. It’s great to see what everyone’s working on and it helps me push through the couch potato-ness.

If I’m not sitting on the couch writing away, this is where the magic happens, awful yellow light and all. That box against the wall is usually full of products waiting to be photographed.

Do you plan your blogs? If so, how?

Yup! I have an editorial calendar in Excel that I got from Kaitlyn. I write down my post ideas there and hope I don’t forget what they actually are by the name I use. 😉 I also use to-do lists in my journal to help motivate myself because there’s nothing like checking something off that list.

How long does it take you to write an average post?

Ohh. Depending on the post and how distracted I am! For a makeup look probably 30-40 minutes and for a review it totally depends on the product. Some reviews take me fifteen minutes, others take me an hour.

How many hours do you spend writing/editing an average post?

I’ve never actually timed it out, but I can spend an entire afternoon on three posts from taking the photos, to editing and writing. That doesn’t include social media, which I do the day it goes live.

Favorite types of post to write?

I really loved my recent Dry Shampoo Showdown and Bloggers Made Me Do It posts!

Do you people at your school or work know about your blog?

Most do. I don’t tell everyone I know about it, but I also don’t hide it.

What is your process of thinking of a post idea?

I get a lot of inspiration from other bloggers, so if I watch a video or read a blog post that I really enjoy I jot it down in my editorial calendar. Then the weekend before the post I usually take photos and write, starting with Monday’s post and go from there. It’s not very organized, to be honest – I could be a lot more efficient with more process.

Do you feel awkward blogging in front of other people or in public?

If I’m editing photos of myself, very much so. But if I’m writing I don’t usually care.

Do you and your blogging friends plan out posts together?

Not really, it’s hard when we all live far apart! Though Zoe and I did a MAC Craving colab when we both ended up buying it on one of our shopping trips. Oh man…that was last summer. I definitely didn’t think it was that long ago.

What is your reader goal by the end of the year?

Uhm…I don’t really want to share my analytics numbers, but I would love to hit 1500 followers on Twitter!

Who do you tag to do this next?

Anyone who wants to! But let me know if/when you do!

Tag Questions:
1) What camera do you use?
2) What editing system do you use?
3) Do you use artificial or natural lighting?
4) What is the top item on your filming wishlist?
5) What is your favorite day in the week to film?
6) Do you plan your videos. If so, how?
7) How long does it take you to film an average video?
8) How many hours do you spend editing an average video?
9) Favorite types of video to film?
10) Do you people at your school or work know about your channel?
11) What is your process of thinking of a video idea?
12) Do you feel awkward filming in front of other people or in public?
13) Do you and your Youtube friends plan out videos together?
14) What is your subscriber goal by the end of the year?
15) Who do you tag to do this tag next?