5 Posing Tips For The Perfect Beach Portrait

A while back I posted 7 Tips For Taking The Perfect Beach Portrait.

And while choosing the perfect location and the best time of day are important, there is one thing that matters even more.

Posing.

Even with a great location, if your subjects are just standing there with no connection, you’ll never give your clients the “experience” that makes them want to invest in everything you capture.

1. Frame the image first, then drop your subjects in

The more you photograph, the more you can look at an area and pick out the perfect background. Set you camera up on a tripod and visualize what you want the scene to convey. Then drop your subjects into the perfect location. When you “see” it first, its easy to direct them in a pose. Have them kick the water with their toes. Or hold hands walking down the beach. This makes the portrait session quick, and keeps your clients motivated and happy.

2. Let your subjects connect on their own

Your subjects love each other, and will automatically connect with just a little direction. If they are an engaged couple, with just a little encouragement they will hug and kiss even without your nudge. And a family with young kids will automatically start having fun in the water and the sand. Just let them do what comes naturally. Not only will it look better to the camera, it will look equally pleasing in the final photograph – they will see it as a natural extension of who they are.

3. Repeat the posing

When your subjects are doing something right, tell them. “I love the way you are holding her hand.” or “Leaning in like that really makes this a WOW image.” will cause your subject to focus in on what they are doing, and they’ll remember how it feels. When you ask for a similar pose 10 minutes later, they will automatically repeat that feeling.

4. Add angles

If you’ve ever looked at a portrait where everyone in it is stiff as a board, you know how uncomfortable it can make you feel. People have lines and curves – accentuate it. Bend the arms and legs. Separate people just a bit and have them lean in. You’ll be amazed at the difference you see.

5. Get the best image you can the first time

One of the biggest problems with digital is the “spray and pray” method. You place a subject in an area, shoot dozens of images from all different angles, then head back into the studio to play with Photoshop to make it look good. That method takes away the creativity of creating the perfect photograph the first time around. See your image through the lens first, and use Photoshop later to enhance. You’ll see a big difference in your final photograph.

[None of these environmental beach images are enhanced through Photoshop – these are the original film image files directly from the shoot. ]

How To Attract Portrait Clients In The 21st Century

One in every 8 marriages today is between people that met online.

Yep, dating sites are hot. In fact if you look at the statistics, you quickly realize that this is a very good industry to be in.

Online dating is a $1.049 billion per year industry, with the average online dating user spending $239 per year.

eHarmony has over 20 million members; Match has over 15 million users.

While eHarmony and Match are the big sites in the field, hundreds of other sites exist for more specialized services.

Whether you have used dating sites or not, its easy to realize that you need two things to be successful in the online dating world:

1. A great write-up for your profile

2. A great photograph

And unfortunately, most people have trouble with two things:

1. Writing up a great profile

2. Taking a great photograph

Which is where opportunity lies for the photographer.

While other photographers are trying to ignore the online world, and keep a client from posting images on places like Facebook, eHarmony and Match, why not specialize it and make that your business?

Become A Profile Photographer

Becoming a profile photographer can give you just enough of an edge to separate you from the portrait photographers. While others are trying to sell large prints, frames and albums, you concentrate on creating the best images possible for the online world.

You can start with simple sessions – one clothing choice, a few portrait poses on a standard backdrop – and can quickly move up from there to include multiple clothing changes, hair and makeup, even multiple poses on a variety of backgrounds.

The difference between a profile photographer and a meet up or social photographer is the eye for detail. Your job extends beyond taking a few quick portraits. You also offer a service to create the best profile possible for use on dating sites, without using too much creativity or Photoshopping techniques to make the person appear differently then what they are. Put the focus on enhancing their natural beauty. Put the emphasis on letting their true personality shine through.

Join A Program

Not quite sure what to do or how to do it? Join a network of photographers.

Look Better Online is an online site dedicated to helping people look their best online. It’s gaining quite a bit of traction in the dating community, and it helps sell the idea of moving beyond the quick point-and-shoot profile images, and spending a little extra to put your best face forward.

With the marketing done for you, you can add your name to the growing list of participating photographers, and share in the traffic and profits this site makes.

7 Tips For Taking The Perfect Beach Portrait

Living here in Colorado, beach portraits may seem like a non-existent possibility. But even here in Denver we can use reservoirs and lakes to capture a beach-like scene.

People everywhere love the idea of hanging out on the beach. There is just something relaxing and soothing about the waves, the sand, and a family enjoying a little time together.

Here are 7 tips to help you capture the perfect beach portrait.

1. Location, Location, Location

A beach portrait doesn’t have to show miles and miles of water and sand. Choose your scenery carefully. Will you concentrate on a family enjoying a sandcastle? Or maybe a close-up overlooking the water? There are dozens of ways of showcasing your subjects, and making them connect while at the beach. Even if you’ll be using a reservoir or lake, like we do here in Colorado, its all about the experience. People love where they are from, and will love the results if you spend the time to make it an experience.

2. Timing is everything

You have the perfect location. Now choose the perfect timeframe. Early morning or late afternoon is always best for lighting. Because you will be out in direct sunlight, it’s important to have the sun down on the horizon, and use your sweet light. You’ll also find the beaches nearly deserted at this time of day, which will give you more room to play. [Read more…]