Location- In your notebook, start keeping a list of locations that you know of or see just driving around. You’ll be surprised at how many there are right around you. Make it a point to take your kids to new places and bring along your camera. For my birthday I like to do a photo shoot somewhere new since that is the time that all the blossoms are out. It just makes me happy.
2- Portraits- When taking portraits of people, the idea is to capture emotion and personality. Think of all the emotions that people go through (happy, sad, serious, pouty, laughing, etc) and use them to make a connection with your subject. For just one person take close up’s or face shots and also get full body shots. Try to capture at least one where you concentrate on the eyes and getting some great catch lights. Make sure you focus correctly. I also like to use smile, smile just a little, and don’t smile etc.
3- Candids- Candid’s can be some of the best shots you will ever get. They tell stories about real life. To get great candid’s, you might need to be patient and use longer lenses so that they don’t realize you are even taking pictures. You can just wait for interactions or you can tell a joke or just ask them to laugh. You can also stage candids. If you are doing more than one person, have them interact with each other. Smile, talk, laugh etc. You can have subjects hold hands, kiss, touch noses, cover their face with their hands, and throw hands in the air. You can have them move around, jump, look away from you, talk to you etc. You’ll be amazed at what great pictures you can get this way.
4- Props- These can be so much fun. The possibilities are endless. Let me just throw a few out there: food, fruit, candy, giant suckers, colorful soda’s, bubbles, dolls, toys, bright hair flowers, umbrella’s, hats, boots, scarves, blankets, suitcases, baskets, chairs, ladders and so much more!
5- Group shots- These can be difficult but very rewarding. The trend in photography right now is not too posed. The look is that everyone is standing or sitting a little differently from everyone else. Maybe leaning against a wall, some holding hands and not dressed alike. That doesn’t mean that the traditional posed and all dressed alike is wrong. It’s just not the trend in photography right now.
Candid
Location, Props
If you take Alpine Highway to American Fork and make a right onto State St. Look over to your right and you will soon see this little alley way between the stores. This is one of my favorite pictures ever and it was all about location and props. This other picture is my favorite because it has a special story behind it. This was Rick’s day to go into the MTC and he took Joseph out to the bus for the last time. Of course, Joseph didn’t know that he wouldn’t be seeing Rick again for two years, but I did. I captured Joseph’s happy face looking back at Rick and Rick’s reflection in the bus window saying goodbye.
This photo illustrates the relaxed, more natural looking trend in family photos
Assignment:
Do a photo shoot in a new location . Take a single portrait, face only and a whole body portrait using some kind of prop. Take a group shot and then take some candid shots. Post your favorites to the blog.
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