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Adding Motion To Your Photography

Virtual Photography — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 16:04:23 +0000

I love a great portrait. You know right where the focus is. Everything is crisp and clean, and it captures the true emotion of your subject matter.

But what do you do when your subject simply won’t settle down? You’re at a sporting event. Or the bride and groom are rushing up the aisle. Do you really want to stop the movement, and not capture true reality?

That’s when you add a little motion to your photography, and turn a regular portrait into a completely new experience.

1. Slow down your shutter speed.
You can’t gain motion with a quick shutter speed. With a quick shutter speed, you’re going to stop the motion, concentrating on the details of your subject. How long you leave your shutter opens depends on the movement – and what you truly want to capture. A second or two? An hour or more? Really there is no wrong answer – it all depends on what you are ultimately trying to capture.

2. Control your camera.
For long exposures, it’s best to place your camera on a tripod. If you want the subject to stay in focus while the world moves around it, you need a secure camera with no movement.

But if your action is happening around you and your subject is part of the action, use the technique of panning. Panning follows the subject as it moves, and keeps them relatively in focus while the background blurs. The shutter speed will depend on how fast your subject is moving, and how long you will be following the subject.

3. Be prepared.
What results are you hoping for? Plan out the image ahead of time. Will you have multiple tries at shooting motion? At a bike or car race, you may have the option to shoot multiple images, trying different things each time. Experiment, and keep track of what works, and what doesn’t.

At events like a wedding, it’s important to have two or three cameras ready to go at all times. When the bride and groom are walking (or running) up the aisle, jump in and get a great image focused on their faces. Then step aside and get the motion of their movement. Two images. Two pages in an album. And it will be difficult to pull either one out because of the uniqueness and different perspective.

3 Ways To Take A Better Business Portrait

Virtual Photography — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 16:52:32 +0000

Remember back in grade school where you would wait patiently in line to have your class picture taken? You would hop up onto a bench in front of a backdrop, smile at the camera, and be presented with one of the worst pictures possible a few weeks later?

That’s the business of taking quick, class photographs. But it’s not the business of taking a business portrait.

By the time we grow up and become a professional, we want more than just a quick “say cheese” portrait to put on our websites, business cards, brochures and social networking sites. We want something that’s a little classier. Something that showcases us in our best light. Here are a few ways you can bump up the quality of your professional business portraits – and charge more for them in the process:

1. Step away from the backdrop. Don’t do the standard images. Head out to the great outdoors and find variety in your portraits. From a city street, to an overgrown walkway, an environmental portrait will give your client more variety, and make him or her less stressed with the entire process.

2. Use high key lighting. With today’s technology, sometimes a backdrop isn’t the first choice. People today like to use cutaways for their websites and brochures, and have the ability to make their brochures and other marketing materials pop. Start by asking what they hope to accomplish with their business portraits. Then give them a wide array of options.

3. Build up their business. What does your client do for a living? Why not incorporate that into their business portraits? Be creative with all of your executive images, and give them a selection to use for different reasons. While the average client may be looking for one good image to use on a business card, once you present more options, they may end up buying more to have more uses. An image of a baker surrounded by her high-end wedding cakes may be just what she needs for an article in a trade magazine. Or a framed wall print in her bakery.

How To Photograph Babies

Virtual Photography — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 16:47:18 +0000

You can’t pose them. They won’t sit up. They may cry if you scare them. They won’t smile. They won’t even look at the camera when you want them to.

So how can you capture great photographs of a baby that the parent will want to buy?

What starts out sounding like a negative actually can be worked into a BIG positive from selling your photography.

A baby won’t pose, but they will only be little for a very short time. They won’t sit up, but they have the tiniest hands and feet.

This is a once in a lifetime moment. Wait a month and it will change. Put it off for a few months, and you lose the opportunity forever.

Now that’s a sales technique. But before you start selling, you have to take the photographs.

Choose Natural Light
Babies are sensitive to loud noises, sudden movements, and bright lights. A large flash may send them into a fit of tears – the last thing you want. So whenever possible, control your use of flash as much as possible. If you’re in your dark studio, use a softbox. Or bring the baby up to an area where natural light comes pouring through the window.

Get The Details
Tell the story of this new little life. Capture the hands, the feet, a fist wrapped around mom’s finger, or the dad’s wedding ring slipped around the toe. Size is everything. For some infants, we photograph at their home instead of bringing them into a studio location. This is a great way to bring out the props. A blanket knitted by great-grandma makes a wonderful backdrop (and of course a must-have portrait). We were in one home a few years ago where the baby was the first grandchild on both sides of the family. Every member of the family had painted a character or saying onto the wall of her bedroom. We photographed each of these items, and used it to build an album. The clients couldn’t refuse – and ended up ordering more than one album for different family members.

Bring In Mom and Dad
It’s all about size. And the love and bond between the newest member of the family. Just like the details, mom and dad will love intimate images showcasing their tiny baby.

The No Rush Studio
Do you know what separates you from the discount chains? Your client’s happiness. Give each client plenty of time. If they need to change the baby, not a problem. If she gets hungry, you’ll wait until she’s fed. Remember your clients are new parents, and may be a little stressed about the baby’s routine. Being calm and patient is going to help build your reputation.

Build An Album
Don’t just take the images and wait for the sale. Take the images with an album in mind. Predesign several samples, and offer them in package plans. A 20-page album in your lowest, a 40- page in your highest (for example). Then shoot to fill the pages in a way you know your client could never refuse.

Start A Baby Club
Because babies change so fast, they are the perfect target for more than one sale. Don’t bring in a client for one shoot as a brand new baby, offer a baby club where you take four images throughout the first year. You’ll get the family in for a sitting 4 times per year, and get the opportunity for multiple sales all year long.

7 Tips To Help Break Your Fear Of Photographing People

Virtual Photography — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 19:05:44 +0000

When you have bride and groom waiting for you for formal portraits, or are meeting a client in a local park for a portrait, what goes through your mind? Do you have a moment of fear, wondering how you’re going to pose them for a dramatic effect? When you look at your images, do you wish they “popped” like the images you see from photo greats online?

Everyone faces that, especially in the beginning. But there are some tricks to help you create a more natural portrait experience for you and your clients.

1. Start by having fun. If you are happy and enthusiastic, your clients will be too. Don’t make things too posed, too drawn out. Get your clients involved in action, and they’ll remember the experience as a happy one – so the photographs will automatically be better because they remember it as so.

2. Go digital. When you shoot film, every click of the shutter has a cost associated with it. But with digital, you can bring the files into your computer and select only the best.

3. Create action. Especially with a couple (bridal, engagement) set the mood by giving them something to do. Choose a great location in the middle of the city, and have them walk slowly up and down the street holding hands and talking. Have the groom pick up the bride and spin her slowly around. Have the groom pick up the bride, or sweep her away in a wide dip. The more you introduce these movements, the better they will act – they know what you’re trying to accomplish.

4. Use telephoto lenses. If kids have a hard time sitting still, or are nervous around you, have them play at the playground with mom and dad. Then focus on getting perfect images from afar.

5. Set up with a perfect backdrop. There are dozens of places in your community that make perfect backdrops for your images. Find the perfect spot first, and bring your clients in with ideas in mind.

6. Critique. The best part of being online is everyone is a critiquer. Put your photos into forums, and have open discussions about your images. Follow other critiques from other photographers as well. And if you can, attend national associations with print competitions. You’ll learn tips from amazing photographers, and improve your image quality in a very short period of time. One caveat: don’t take any of this too seriously – just learn. I’ve been in print competitions where one judge wants an image to be the clear winner, and another says it’s the worst he has ever seen. Just learn from their tips, and improve from basic composition techniques.

7. Be natural. In many cases your clients will automatically start doing something. If you tell them to sit on the ground and give each other a big group hug, tweak it from your camera view. Simple instructions can often lead to natural placement for the client you are working for. Because it’s natural, they’re happy. And that’s all that really matters.

7 Tips To Use Natural Light In Your Photography

Virtual Photography — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 19:18:42 +0000

We’ve always preferred natural light. You don’t have to carry around a ton of equipment – just your camera bodies and lenses. And for the most part, what you see is what you get – you will never be surprised by the way a flash hits your subject matter.

1. Control when you shoot.
Concentrate on using the sweet light for all of your photographs. Sweet light is the light at daybreak and at dusk – the beautiful light that highlights the detail, yet doesn’t overwhelm you with harshness.

2. Avoid mid-day sun whenever possible.
Mid-Day sunshine gives you your harshest shadows, and provides glare on both your subject and the background around you. If you will be shooting mid-day for something unavoidable – a wedding or event – scope out the area before hand to find your best areas. Look for trees and buildings that you can use in your background, and will block out the majority of the sun’s glare.

3. Be flexible in your posing.
In outside locations, it’s easy to have a favorite place to photograph. But depending on the time of day, you may be facing harsh sunlight and lots of shadows. Be flexible and have other areas that meet your needs. Move your subjects until you get them into the best position.

4. Use gobos and reflectors.
Always make sure you have a variety of gobos and reflectors ready to use to block, reflect and manipulate the sunlight. Reflectors are made from a variety of materials, and can help you do everything from blocking out the heavy sun rays, to adding a soft, warm glow to the skin.

5. Always focus on the face.
Even if you’re creating an environmental image, and the subject is just a part of the final scene, make sure your subject has a natural look. If you place them directly in the sun, they may be squinting and have a distorted face.

6. Use buildings and trees as natural gobos and reflectors.
A white building can make a great reflector, and brighten up a subjects face, or give highlights to the overall scene. Or tuck your subject back into a group of trees to soften the look, and provide nice highlights for the portrait.

7. Don’t reschedule on cloudy and rainy days.
Clouds can create natural light boxes, and give you soft filtered light anywhere you go. Though you do need to be careful not to get your camera wet on rainy days, the rain can enhance a portrait, and give you a totally new perspective with your subject matter. Learn to play with what you have, and be creative with the opportunities given.

7 Tips For Photographing Children

Virtual Photography — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 14:19:36 +0000

Be patient with them.
Some kids will warm up to you immediately. Some won’t. Work on the child’s schedule, not yours. Instead of picking up the camera right away, sit down at their level and play with them or read them a book. Become their friend first, and they’ll trust you the rest of the day.

Capture who they are, not a standard photograph.
One of my favorite photographs of my daughter was when she was two. She was staring out of our living room window, thumb in her mouth, twirling her hair with her fingers. That was so her at that particular moment of her life, and I can’t imagine not being able to remember her like that. Just looking at that image brings back a ton of memories. That’s who she was at that moment, and that’s what we strived to capture.

You’re the photographer, mom is the mom.
Have you ever had the mom put a child down and start saying, “Look at the camera Suzie”. Explain to the mom up front that you will be capturing the image. She’s welcome to sit in a chair in the corner, but please leave the posing up to you. (If she sees your work ahead of time and knows what to expect, this won’t even be an issue.)

Go to the child’s world.
What does the child like to do? Brining them in and letting them play with your teddy bears may make a cute photograph, but bringing his or her own teddy bear to a tea party will make it even more special. They’ll talk and tell stories, and open up in a way they just can’t do with a “stranger”.

Create your setting first.
What is your goal with the portrait? What is the mom expecting? You have to have samples in place to get your ideas across before you bring in clients. Start by building sets and using your own children (or a friend’s or neighbors) as the models. Then sell it to your clients through your website and portfolio.

Focus on things that will change.
A three-year-old child has that perfect, angelic face. She has expressions and that certain look that just screams out “I’m three”. That’s what changes very quickly as she grows, and will soon be forgotten as she moves into other stages. That’s what you need to capture as a photographer. Look for that perfect picture, that perfect expression that will make the Mom think of you as a hero for life, because she simply can never take that image off of her wall.

Let’s see the face.
Children have the most amazing eyes. So while I’m a huge proponent of capturing a child in his or her natural environment, I also love beautiful face shots. And so do your clients. Focus in on the eyes. Give your clients something they can never refuse.

Shoot your portraits with specifics.
Never hand over your files on a CD to your clients. Instead sell them on packages with certain inclusions. Find unique frames with multiple images. Build grandparent brag books. Or give them a way to come in and build special scrapbooking pages for their latest album. Always be thinking of today’s requirements and desires, and find ways to implement into what you do. Most people don’t truly want the CD IF you give them products they really want – they’re just programmed to ask for it.

How A Clothing Consultation Can Raise The Revenue Of Your Portraits

Virtual Photography — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 14:56:30 +0000

Without a little coaching for you, your clients will show up in just about anything for a family portrait. Some may think of trying to match, while others will show up in whatever is comfortable – making for a truly “memorable” portrait experience.

Instead of leaving clothing choices up to your clients, teach them about clothing instead. Even a few minutes over the phone, or a few minutes browsing your website for ideas can make all the difference in the world.

Overall, there are 7 tips you should share with your clients, and have samples ready to show to illustrate the point.

1. Choose one color hue per portrait. People stand out if they are different from the norm of the photograph. If the majority of the people show up in black sweaters, and one shows up in red, the photograph will be dominated by the one in red.

2. Wear similar styles. Long sleeves are usually preferable. In all cases, the less distraction the better, and the more focus will be put on the faces. Again, if the majority shows up in long sleeve black sweaters, and one shows up in a purple tank top, you’ll focus on both the color of her shirt, and on her bare arms. It will also confuse the overall look – is it summer or fall?

3. Dress for the surrounding location. An evening gown would look out of place in the middle of a forest. Decide beforehand the style and theme of the portrait, and shoot accordingly. If your client wants suits and dresses, find a location that highlights beauty and elegance – maybe a large fireplace, or a trip to the theater.

4. Avoid distractions. Have you ever seen a portrait with bright plaids, checks or polka dots? Where do your eyes move to? It’s always the clothes that get the attention. A great portrait focuses on the eyes and on the faces – not on the outfits.

5. Have clothing available. If you photograph children on a regular basis at your studio, instead of relying on your clients to make the right choices, have a selection of clothing available. Hats, dresses, old fashioned shawls – you can find a ton of choices through places like Barnes Children’s Portrait Clothing.

6. Dress from head to toe. In many portraits, feet show. Muddy boots, or bright orange tennis shoes will stand out, and be the center of attention in the portrait. Discuss every detail with your clients, including what to wear on the feet in order to blend into the background.

7. Emphasize unity. If you’re photographing a family of four, more than likely the mom will make sure everyone is dressed properly. But in larger groups where several individual families are coming together for a portrait, it’s harder to consult everyone. Have a page on your site dedicated to explaining portrait clothing concepts, with many examples of both good and bad. Also create postcards or brochures that can be handed out to the individual families, allowing your main contact to have an easier time helping her family choose the right look.

Now go back and look at your samples. Does your website showcase a mishmash of colors and patterns? Or do all of your images have that pulled together look? Start taking down anything that doesn’t have order to it, and replacing it with classic images that all put the focus on the faces instead of the wild colors and patters.

Even simple changes can have a dramatic affect on your presentation. And the better your photography presents, the more you can ultimately charge for each portrait sitting.

8 Keys To A Great Engagement Portrait

Virtual Photography — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:44:33 +0000

The holidays are upon us. The time for celebrating, spending time together – and gettin’ engaged.

Engagement portraits are more than just a quick shot to have something available for an announcement or a display at the wedding. They are a way for the bride and groom to get to know you as a photographer. It’s an open invitation to learn more about how you operate, and what type of customer service you bring to the table.

Keep these 8 things in mind before you book your next appointment for an engagement portrait session.

1. Never include your engagement session as a part of your wedding package. By making it a separate entity, you are giving it more value, and you are also taking away the bargaining chip for wedding clients that may not want or be able to use an engagement session.

2. Many photographers have different pricing structures for weddings and for portraits. Keep your pricing structure the same for any enlargements within the engagement shoot as you have for your weddings. The last thing you want to do is confuse a bride and groom on pricing when they are deciding on whom to hire for their wedding.

3. Don’t take the standard in-studio portrait or head out on your common grounds where you do your traditional portraits. Make your engagement portraits unique to the couple. Ask your couple two questions: “How did you meet?” and “What do you two enjoy doing together?” Between those two questions you’ll be able to find a variety of interesting places to use as your portrait location. If they love baseball, head down to your local stadium and use the surrounding area within the portraits. It will make it more unique to your couple, and give them more reason to buy.

4. Showcase your talents. Take some close up, some far away. Use the background wisely. Take the images from different angles. Have them look at the camera on some, and into each other’s eyes on others. In other words show your variety and your talents as a photographer. The more you take, the more you have the chance on selling.

5. Offer destination engagement packages. For some people the wedding is all about the celebration. Having a great portrait is a separate session. You’ll never be a destination photographer unless you plant the seeds now. Create a package that allows you to travel anywhere with your couple and create a magical final portrait.

6. Showcase what you plan on selling. If you have a studio, how large is the engagement portraits on your wall? Do you have options for framing, matting, and collages? If you’re a virtual studio, do you have a page on your website where you can show couples your different options? It’s hard for people to visualize what you mean without actually seeing it.

7. Give plenty of options. How about a signature board at the reception? An album customized to go along with their wedding albums? Invitations? Thank you notes? Wedding favors? The list can go on and on with a little brainstorming.

8. Plan for a perfect portrait. Discuss clothing, backgrounds, props and location. They may never think of bringing horses into a portrait unless you suggest it. Be wild with your ideas. Look through magazines and online for ideas and inspiration. Nothing is more fun than having a couple say YES and allowing you to do something way beyond anything you’ve done before.

How To Find A Portrait Location Anywhere

Virtual Photography — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:37:27 +0000

One of the most difficult things for some photographers is finding great locations to shoot a portrait. When you are photographing one person, or even a couple, the world is your backdrop – you just have to look a little.

On a recent outing, I was looking for a new business portrait to use for a few new things we’ve been working on. So we thought it would be fun to show you how any location can become an amazing backdrop for you.

We started just a couple of miles from our home in a strip center mall on a Sunday so the walking traffic was at a minimum. Here’s the location we settled on:

Choose a location for the lines, columns, stairs, color and decorations. Because its winter, there are no flowers in the pots, and snow was lying around in different areas.

By concentrating on just a few of the areas, and watching the angles, we came up with dozens of different images I’ll be able to use.

Any location makes for a good backdrop – you just have to see beyond what most people see. The easiest way to “see” differently is to head out and practice.

Make sure you’re in a location where security won’t stop you – public places are your best choice. And have fun with it.

10 Tips For Taking Portraits In The Cold and Snow

Virtual Photography — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:40:00 +0000

1. Choose your location before the clients arrive. In the summer it’s nice to walk around, shooting in several places. In the winter, the cold can get to you quickly. Have places picked out ahead of time, and walk your clients there quickly. Keep them bundled in coats or close to the car until the shoot, then move quickly. Avoid the red noses and cheeks if possible.

2. Wear all the snow gear. Your clients will be in a fairly comfortable place. But to get the best shot, you may need to head into a snow bank, lay down on the snow. Make sure you have boots, gloves and a warm hat, and maybe even snow pants to keep you warm and dry.

3. Have your clients dress for the snow too. It may seem silly to remind your clients to dress for the snow. But the last thing you want them to do is show up with a 3 year old in a holiday dress and shoes, crying because she’s freezing. Give them a clothing consultation, and have them dress similarly and appropriately.

4. You don’t need a ton of snow to create a great backdrop. Look for interesting viewpoints – tunnels, pathways or backdrops. Then move your subjects in the scene to complete the image.

5. Use the snow as a prop. Snow can add dimension to your portraits, and can give you a soft glow. Make sure you use a lens hood to prevent the snow from falling onto your lens.

6. Have the family bring along props. If they want an outdoor winter portrait, chances are they like to play in the snow too. Do they have skis, snowshoes or a snowmobile? Incorporate that into the image for something personal to the family.

7. Overexpose your images. With the majority of your background being white, you’ll need to overexpose your images by a stop or two. With digital, you can play around with your settings and see your results before you place your subjects into the image.

8. Have a call list for snow days. Many areas can go weeks without a snow storm, then be hit by several inches of beautiful snow. Create a reserve list, and give them a call early in the morning to head out and shoot. If it’s cloudy and snowy all day, you may be able to get several clients in per day.

9. Price your snow day sessions higher than regular sessions. These are limited editions – they can only take place when it snows. With your reserve list, they will quickly become an in demand item. Take the session fee up front in order to be placed on the reserve list. That will make them more motivated to keep the session.

10. End with photojournalism. After you get your posed images, stage a snowball fight or build a snowman. Capture the family having fun, and you’ll get some dynamite fill-in images that they may like even better than the posed.