I remember my senior portraits, the photography was limited to a few standard poses of my shoulders and face and one full body picture. This type of photography was typical and, unfortunately, it is still rather typical for senior portraits taken by school photographers. Fortunately, freelance, amateur, and even moderately priced professionals are now more readily available.If you are taking senior portraits there are a few things you can do to make sure they are perfect.
Natural Light- This is a great way to make your pictures look fantastic. Natural light will highlight the subject in a way artificial light never could.
Look Around – Don’t have the subject look directly at the camera for each shot. Capture them looking away from the camera as well as some shots of his or her profile. All of these will allow you to capture aspects of the subject a head on shot would miss.
Personalize – Photography should capture the essence of a person. Have the subject bring items that are evocative of their high school life such as a jersey, or a band instrument, or cheerleading costume. Perhaps take pictures on the football field, in the gym, or anywhere the student spends a lot of time.
How have you captured picture perfect senior portraits?
Photo Credit: Herkie
July 27th, 2009 by birdievogel | Posted in Techniques | Comments (0)
A few months ago I offered to take prom pictures for my little brother and his girlfriend. Now, I freely admit that living in Florida has all sorts of advantages for those who are photographically inclined. However, that doesn’t mean that it is only possible to get those perfect prom pictures if you live where I do. As a matter of fact I didn’t even head to the beaches (mostly because they overcrowded this time of year) and I still managed to get some amazing shots. Where should you go to get your best pictures?
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Go for the old – We did several shots on an old caboose, at an old train station, and at a few other local historic locations. Then I used some editing software to get that old timey photo look. Fantabulous if I do say so myself.
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Go for the young – Yes, the subjects of prom pictures are practically adults but that doesn’t mean all of the prom pictures have to be formal and grown up. Look for places where they can goof off a bit like a playground. Pictures on the slide, marry-go-round, and swing sets are a fun counterpoint to the formal wear.
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Looking for romance – Finally, don’t forget to bring out the romance. Shots in the limo, at the dance, holding hands under a street lamp, a sweet kiss against a sunset. Trust me the sillier they feel while doing it the more they will end up loving it.
Want to share some tips for perfect prom pictures? I’ve already been drafted for next year’s session so I’ll start filing them away.
Photo Credit: Pedliano
July 20th, 2009 by birdievogel | Posted in Techniques | Comments (0)
In traditional baby showers there is a person who records who gives the expectant mother what gifts and a person who records the images either by video or photograph (or both). This works quite well and in fact, I got many wonderful images of my own baby shower that way. But I didn’t get quite as many pictures of my friends as I would have liked and most of them were very posed and formal. Not only that but the person taking the pictures doesn’t get to enjoy everything quite as much as everyone else because of instead of participating in the fun and games they are standing back trying to capture it all.
Not too long ago I through a baby shower for my best friend. I decided I would take the pictures for the shower but I also wanted a backup plan. Nothing as fancy as several video cameras from different angles or camera’s on tripods set up around the room on timers. Nope. I bought a half dozen disposable cameras. I asked people to pick them up and take pictures whenever they felt like it. It was tons of fun watching people get into it and the pictures they took were amazing. No one was focused on the photographer because everyone was a potential photographer. It even helped me (the official photographer) get better pictures. When everything was developed it was easy to see these were the best baby shower pictures ever.
What have you done to capture amazing baby shower pictures?
Photo Credit: Gin Snob
July 13th, 2009 by birdievogel | Posted in Techniques | Comments (0)
As mentioned before I love to take pictures, especially of my sweet boy. I’ve recently started taking pictures of friend’s children as well. I have come up with my own little list of the 3 best baby poses as decided by myself and these friends.
Parent holding baby feet – that is the image used in this post, although it is not one of mine. It is a classic way to capture how tiny your baby is. They don’t stay small forever and as they grow it can be hard to remember when they were just so tiny. Not to mention, how kissable are those little footsies?
Face down – Put the little one face down on a fuzzy blanket. Curled up and adorable. Of course you won’t let him/her sleep like this but it is an excellent pose.
Head on shoulder – This gives a nice face shot of the baby and a profile of the parent. Take the picture from behind the parent with his/her face looking towards the baby. The baby’s head should be on the shoulder looking at mom or dad. Although a sleeping baby in this pose is pretty fantastic too.
What is your favorite way to pose a baby? In a basket of towels? In a bubble bath? Give me some of those great ideas!
Photo Credit Nezemnaya
July 8th, 2009 by birdievogel | Posted in Techniques | Comments (0)
I swear I’ve become obsessed with photography since I had my son. I love taking his picture. After I realized how much I loved it, I began to look for other things to photograph as well. What I discovered is everything is cooler in black in white. Not all the time, but most of it. I love the way the shadows can highlight certain aspects. Just by removing the color from the photograph you can really see the subject.
For example, I did a shot of him sitting in some green feathers for St. Patrick’s Day. Those images turned out great, but when I cropped the image and removed the color I got some truly amazing shots. In one shot I had a close up of his feet sticking out from these bright green fake feathers. Well…in color you could tell they were fake and his feet kind of got lost in the midst of the fluff. When I removed the color the feathers did the opposite. Instead of hiding those cute little toes (is there anything cuter than baby feet?) they accentuated them. It was absolutely adorable! (Yes, I’m biased..but I got other opinions and everyone agreed)
How did I do this? Well my camera does have a black and white setting but I never remember to use it. Instead I use my photo software (I have several different kinds depending on what I want to do). It’s easier and it allows me to click away without having to worry about even more settings, ya know?
Have you found that you tend to prefer black and white baby pictures over those with full color?
Photo Credit Lou & Magoo
June 26th, 2009 by birdievogel | Posted in Photo Software, Techniques | Comments (0)
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