This is a straight forward post. Setting a blog is not easy and requires a lot of effort! However anyone can do it. It is so worth doing it but the way getting to your perfect blog can be painful. My advice?
Do a blog because it is your passion! Your blog will never be successful if you just do it in order to get money. NEVER EVER! Content is king. Blog about topics that you are interested in and then second make your blog look nice and only if content and design are amazing, you can apply for Adsense, Gourmetads or other things available to you. So for now just skip the last thing and focus on the set up of your blog.
DESIGN
Next to great content what a food photography and lifestyle blog needs is a great Design. I am very picky when it comes to themes and designs. I was looking for a very clean design but still with a lot of features and it had to be a responsible design, which means it looks also food on phones and ipads etc. After scrolling through a #feltlike thousand themes ranging from „for free“ up to „$300“ I decided to start with the KINDRED THEME. It is a minimal and clean full-width blog design shows off your greatly good quality pictures is clearly structured with a lot of customizable options.
EDIT 11/04/15 : I switched my theme to the Foodie PRO as it allows me to even do further customization. I switched my theme to the Foodie PRO as it allows me to even do further customization. I think it is an amazingly beautiful template which allows ads and google analytics
Monetize your blog
Once you have your blog for a longer time and have a certain amount of people loving your blog and got familiar with all the features, widgets, plugins etc. (check out Youtube for things like that as they are many tutorials on topics like these) you can think about monetizing your blog. There are many different ways on how to monetize a blog but I recommend applying to Gourmetads or Adsense. If you have question on how to get accepted by these services feel free to ask. Also, check out my blogpost why gourmet ads and adsense wont accept you.
Photography Resources
Canon EOS 6D I recently upgraded to the Canon 6D after using a Canon EOS 70D for 3 years (and before that my iPhone 4S). The 6D is perfect for Food photography as it shoots incredible pictures and also shoots really good quality HD video. It’s an expensive camera, so if you’re just getting started look first at purchasing something like the Canon EOS 70D SLR or even using the camera on your phone.
Canon EF 50mm/1:1,2 L This is my best friend. It’s an amazing lens that has stood the test of time for me. It isn’t cheap, but you get what you pay for with a lens and it is a lifetime investment.
Lowel EGO Digital Imaging, Tabletop Fluorescent Light Unit
The best light solution I found so far. With no prior experience, you can quickly & easily create professional results. No wonder it is sold out at the moment…
Tripod A must-have for great overhead pictures or „pouring“ pictures. (Food bloggers know what I mean ;))
Lexar 32 GB Professional 1066 x CompactFlash When you belong to those people making tons of pictures just from one stack of pancakes, then this Campact Flash is a great thing to have to work properly as a food photogrpher.