PHOTO TIPS FOR MOMS. {UTAH PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHER}

TIP FOR MOMS: THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX... (a Composition Lesson)

I am constantly thinking about this tip in my profession, because it really helps me to give my clients the variety of images that they desire. So, here's a simple tip or technique that will give you a little more variety to your pictures.

I can't tell you how many times when I was just starting out, that I had wished (after a shoot) or shooting my own kids, that I had moved in a little closer for detail shots OR that I had thought to maximize the surroundings and location (i.e. backing up... WAY back, to get more of a scenery type of shot). I shoot primarily with my 50 mm lens which is GREAT for portraits. BUT, I have found that in the past, I have tended to stay within a certain range of shooting and most of my images were either a headshot or a full body shot, but not much of in between or beyond that. I wasn't capturing the super close-ups of my kids faces (which often requires an additional lens... but not always) or maybe a great shot from the legs up (not completely full body). Or like I said before, my subject would take up most of the frame, but then the landscape or surroundings weren't used to their fullest potential.

THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX! Literally, when you are looking in your view-finder, always be thinking ahead, or what's beyond your view in your viewfinder. Example: "Okay, this shot is great, but what if I moved back just a little... or in a lot?" Depending on the capabilities of your lens, you can really get a wide range. If you can't get the range you want, then switch your lenses around while shooting (try a macro for close ups or a wide angle to give you an expansive feel). The sky is the limit! When you are shooting, MOVE around ALOT (even with a zoom lens). It's like exercise... expect to sweat! Get down low, then move to a higher plain than your subject. Get in close, move back just a little, recompose, then move back some more, recompose, move in again, try a different angle....repeat! You get the idea. Get your exercise as you are shooting! Move, move, move. Turn your lens on an angle for some of the shots (but don't over-do it with every shot). Instead of positioning your subject in the center of the frame, place them to the left or right. (If you have focusing issues with this, let me know and I'll teach you how to focus asymmetrically.) The more you move, the more variety you will have in your pictures. They will not feel stagnant and bore you after a while. You'll be surprised with what you get!

Tell me how this exercise worked! Did you find a nice collection of images with an artistic variety? What problems did you encounter? Let's chat!

PHOTO TIPS FOR MOMS. {UTAH PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHER}

Well, well! Can you believe I'm finally posting another photo tip? This week's tip is just a simple one (well, simple to talk about... but can be hard to practice).

Tip: work hard to get your exposures correct IN CAMERA.

Here's how:

Bribe your kid or a neighbor kid to sit in front of the camera long enough to really play around with your exposures. REALLY, you've got to kick your camera out of auto and start to experiment with the other settings. Now, if you have no desire to go pro, you really don't HAVE to learn manual shooting, BUT it makes a huge difference in getting the results you're looking for. YOU become in charge of the results of your photos, instead of the camera determining what they will be. So, if you are shy to shoot in manual, you can start with the "A-mode" or "S-mode"... most likely use the "A-mode" if you are doing portraits. But once you get used to using that mode, then go all the way and start shooting in manual. Really, why did you buy that big expensive camera with all those buttons anyway? Start using them!

I know, it sounds sooo scary, but what have you got to loose? If you don't have a paying client in front of you, or you are not shooting a special family event, then let loose! Find a time to purely practice in manual. Trust me, I have had plenty of overexposed or underexposed photos while trying to learn my manual settings. You have to be okay with getting a ton of crapy photos before you can get the amazing ones.

There you go... have a try at this and come back and tell me how you did. Tell me what problems you encountered because trust me, you will have problems or questions. Those questions will help me know where to go with the next discussion. So don't be shy to ask! I need your feedback!

Post-note: Why is it so important to get great exposures in camera when photoshop can fix so much?

You will find that many newbie photographers may shoot awful pictures but can brighten and enhance them in photoshop. It is true that photoshop can help with a lot of "mistakes", BUT photoshop should be a tool to enhance the beauty that is already in a well exposed photo, instead of "fixing" a photo. This is where you will see a difference between amateur photos and professional ones.

Even if you don't want to go pro... work hard to get great exposures in camera and let photoshop be a fun tool for enhancement. Save yourself the time and energy of "fixing" your photos by learning how to really use your camera. It will make a huge difference.

And now for a little stud muffin:)