Tips : Shooting Fashion and Glamor Photography

A lot goes into shooting fashion and glamor photography, choosing the right photographic backdrops and getting the photographic lighting just right, but developing a good relationship with your model might be most important. A fashion shoot is truly a collaborative effort between the model and the photographer, and a lot of care and precision needs to go into the process to assure that everyone comes out looking their best.

To begin with, you’ll want to direct your model without dictating exactly what they should do. Some models will need more direction than others, but being open to your model’s ideas and giving them some freedom will help assure that your photos turn out looking natural rather than forced.

While you may want everything perfect in your fashion photo shoot, it’s important to remember to allow yourself to be creative and even bend the rules a little bit. It’s okay if your shoot isn’t as seamless as your seamless backdrop. You might want to change the lighting angle to something less conventional or mix up different body shots and head shots. If your model has a particularly striking feature, feel free to maximize on it. Trial and error is a big part of the process, but it can also be where you have your biggest success.

Photo : Kate Massey

Another part of having great fashion photos is by sheer volume. The law of averages dictates that the more pictures you take the more great photos you will get. You never know what might be going through your model’s mind at a specific moment that will get you the perfect expression, but if you miss it, it’s gone forever. You can always delete any bad shots from your memory cards.

Another thing that is important to remember when shooting fashion photos is that you are always selling something. Whether it is the unique way your model wears her makeup, her skin tone, her clothing or the flower in her hair, taking time to tune into these things will make your photos stand out. Feel free to experiment with a variety of  photography backdrops to take lighter and more dramatic shots. You may discover some nice surprises.

While experimentation and flexibility are both very important when it comes to getting great shots, you also want to maintain your professionalism. Stay calm even when things get stressful. Make sure your model knows you are trying a lot of things in order to have the best final product, and that you know what you’re doing. Even if you are inexperienced, it is important not to show it. Doubt is contagious and is bound to show up in your photos.

Great Family Portraits : Photography Tips

If you’re looking to gain credibility and business as a professional photographer, it’s pertinent that you know how to shoot a great family portrait. Here are some simple “do’s” and “don’ts” to remember on your next family portrait shoot :

Photo : Southern Light Photography

DO’S

Move Groups Together -
Get families close together. Not only does this help you fit them into your photographic backdrop easier, but the photos emit a sense of warmth and togetherness.

Plan Your Subject’s Clothing -
Obviously, it’s up to the particular family as to what they want to wear, but you might consider advising them to stay away from extreme colors,  clothing with large logos on them, or clothing that may clash with your seamless background.

Check  Camera Screen -
When you’re shooting groups of people, you’re bound to get shots where people are blinking or not looking at the camera or doing something else. Check out the camera to make sure you’ve got the shots that you want before you move on.

Provoke A Reaction -
Tell a joke. Playfully rib one of your subjects. Just do something to get a reaction of them. The more natural the family feels, the better the photos will look.

Blur The Photographic Background -
Photographic backgrounds are important. But do you know what’s more important? Your subjects. You want to focus the lens on your subjects, not the background.

DONT’S

Don’t Pick The Wrong Backdrop – Keep in mind the subjects you will be photographing and pick your photographic backdrop accordingly (i.e. if your are going to be shooting older teenagers or adults perhaps use a muslin background or darker, more sophisticated colors).

Don’t Forget To Check Your Camera Settings -
It’s a photographer’s worst nightmare to complete a photo shoot only to realize that you weren’t using the right lens, or didn’t have the camera on the correct setting for outdoor shots. Don’t put yourself in that position, double-, triple- and quadruple-check your settings.

Beware Of The Head Tilt -
Oh, the dreaded head tilt. It’s fine for shooting star-crossed lovers, but not so fine for shooting families. Be aware of this and correct it, if necessary.

Don’t Sound Like An Amateur -
Is there anything more frustrating to a client than a photographer that doesn’t seem to know what he’s doing? Remember, you’re hired because you’re a professional. Come prepared.

Don’t Let Someone Else Run The Show -
You’re shooting this family portrait for a reason – because you’re the professional photographer. So no matter how much of an expert Mom, Uncle Joe or the kid who used a point-and-shoot once claim to be, remember, it’s you who should have say.

Don’t Be Afraid To Listen To Other Ideas -
We just got done telling you not to let anyone else run your photo shoot. And while we stand by this important “don’t,” we don’t think you should completely tune out the opinions or ideas of others. For example, if little Jimmy wants to take a picture out back in front of his playhouse, go for it.

Photography Portrait Tips

Portrait studios focus on taking pictures of people. Whether you are photographing one person or twelve, make your photos special.

A group portrait should reflect some familiarity or connection between the subjects. You can enhance this element by creating poses that have the subjects holding hands, resting a hand on the shoulder of another group member or even by having the people face-to face. The physical contact can be so subtle it is barely noticeable. For more professional photos like a corporate board or ball team, have the members stand shoulder to shoulder, or choose a few members to turn slightly toward one another on the outer borders of the shot. An outdoor ribbon cutting looks better if the front members are sharing a pair of scissors or a plaque. Connections make more pleasing group photographs.

A traditional pose for groups with several people, is to perhaps arrange them on a staircase. Smaller groups can be arranged in an inverted V for a symmetrical look. Capturing children at play delivers a natural photo. Position them in front of a beach backdrop with a sandbox. It is often less stressful for the children and the photographer can capture some great smiles this way.

In addition to posing, the photographer’s seamless background adds character to portraits. There are so many types of  backdrops for photography to choose from today that you can create almost any mood. Keep in mind that the back ground should not detract from the subject. If a studio background is too busy, the subject will lose its prominence. Choose a scene or color that fits your needs without being over-powering. If necessary, shoot closer to your subject to reduce the amount of background that shows in the photograph.

Deciding whether to shoot your subject outdoors or indoors is really a matter of preference for the photographer and the client. Indoor settings provide more control for the photographer. Artificial lighting can be positioned and manipulated to control the shadows on the subject, which control the personality of the final product. The type of photographic background can be anything from a solid color to a mountain scene. Adding extra lights and using controlled reflection helps the photographer achieve the results desired.

Outdoor scenes can be quiet appealing. A photo in front of a waterfall or lush garden may be exactly what you are looking for. Remember to watch for distracting items in the background. If possible, take your photographs in the early morning or late afternoon to take advantage of the best light.