There is more that goes into creating the perfect #bookstagram than meets the eye. In our previous post, Book Staging 101, we went over the basics of capturing that perfect picture. But with the ever-evolving book-staging craft, there are always new ways to get that killer shot. When books are all staged the same way—even if you’re adding new props—using the same pose can make your feed seem stale. It’s time to dive into some major details on the different ways you can display the book to keep your bookstagram interesting.

Flat-Lay

This is the bread and butter of staging, the most common way to display a book. It captures the title and author’s name while being the perfect pose for when you really want to show off the cover design. Plus, it allows some room to play around. Throw in some props to spunk up the picture, maybe toss in some fairy-lights in the background. Or you can get very specific with this style and create a symmetrical pattern that will satisfy our inner craving for balance. There are infinite ways to style a flat-lay, making it a classic.

Book Pile

Not all posts have to feel staged or organized. A book pile is a great way to break up some patterns in your feed and it’s also fairly easy to do when you don’t have much time. Throw down some featured books and place a specific one on top (or in some position where your readers will recognize it’s the book you want to discuss in your post). Utilize the different colored covers to emphasize the theme or add contrast. Not only will it make the cover pop, it adds some texture and personality to the book.

Open Page

The simplest trick in the bookstagram world to make the post look more realistic? An open book. This shows your audience what page you’re on and gives a glimpse inside. However, since it takes out the aesthetic advantage of the cover, get creative with your surroundings. If the book is about a secret romance, consider laying a rose across the open page. You could also use it to invoke a feeling in the audience. Maybe picture the open book over a bubble bath; not only does that sound amazing, but it gives off a relaxed tone. Pictures that can invoke emotions will definitely capture the viewer.

Book Spine

The book spine also emphasizes the background rather than the book cover itself. This is a stylish approach if you may have a book with a beat-up cover. The spine usually tends to have the information of the book, such as title and author. And without a cover in view, you can tell the story through your props. If the book is about a chef, consider decorating the open space with cooking tools. You could even leave the space empty to draw full attention to the title itself.

Book Stack

A book stack can be done in an infinite amount of ways. Stacking doesn’t just mean one on top of the other—build stacks into a twirling tower, creating a castle, or even turn yourself into a book mermaid (yes, it’s been done). Build a whole library out of books! If you’re picking your top ten mystery novels, stack them up in order by rating to make it easier to discuss. Or create a staircase and pop on some cute figures.

Shelfie

There always seems to be a new way to organize your bookshelf. That can be from alphabetical order to genre order. But to create an aesthetically pleasing bookshelf, consider organizing it by color to create a giant rainbow of knowledge, or even flip the spines back and show off the different texture of the pages. Not only is it creating a beautiful background, but it will give your bookstagram a fun twist!

 

 

What are some of your favorite tricks when trying to get that perfect #bookstagram pic?