A Royal Wedding

Making the Most of your Portraits

If you're in the market for getting portraits taken for an important event, there are things you can do to make sure you get great results.

Here are some things to think about before your photo session:

1. Ditch the glasses--As someone who's had glasses since the third grade, it's second nature to have them on.  The problem is they can hide your best features and sometimes cast awkward shadows.  Take them off when you're having a picture taken, or alternate between poses with them on or off.
2. Cut the shine--If you tend to sweat a lot or have oily skin, bring along some translucent powder or blotting sheets.  Don't forget the man in your life, either.
3. Think of something funny--We all have that standard "picture smile."  Most of the time, it doesn't resemble our real smile.  So when getting ready for the shot, try to think of something funny or meaningful to unlock that genuine smile.
4. Have some ideas in mind--Most photographers won't mind if you suggest poses or different groupings of people.  It never hurts to ask, and they won't know the connections that would make the picture important or special to you.
5. Loosen up--Wear something suitable, but comfortable, and try to have fun.  

Two Souls, One Heart

Tips for Better Photographs

It's likely that at some gathering you've had the job of taking the pictures.  Regardless of your level of skill or the expense of your camera, with a little bit of forethought and some practice, you can take some great pictures! Try the following tips the next time you have a camera in your hands:

1. The Rule of Thirds--A general rule of thumb is to place the focus of your picture at one of the crossings on the following grid.  This will make your picture more interesting to look at.  This doesn't always work though (especially when taking formal style portraits), but for landscapes and more casual pictures, it makes a huge impact.

2. Location, Location, Location--It's not just for real-estate!  Be aware of what's going on in the background of your pictures.  If you're against a busy background, that plaid shirt your brother is wearing will make you go cross-eyed.  And be aware of people in the background, too.  A bathing beauty behind your grandmother may make the eye travel somewhere you didn't intend it to.

3. You're Glowing!--This is probably the hardest thing to do when taking pictures, but you have to be really aware of the light that you're shooting in. If the sun's behind your subject, you'll get a dark outline.  In front, and you'll likely get an overexposed, bleached effect.  And don't forget the weird shadows that can happen too!  Try to avoid direct sunlight if you can, or shoot pictures when the light isn't as harsh such as early morning or right before dusk.

4. Don't Miss a Moment--Take way more pictures than you think you'll ever need!  You never know when someone's eyes will be closed or when a bee will land on that flower.  Have an extra roll of film handy or buy an extra large memory card.  That way you never have to look back and think about the pictures you might have taken.

The best tip however, is to practice as much as possible!

Good luck on your future photography experiments and thank  you for stopping by.