Hello everyone! My name is Lee and I am a cultural travel photographer. I would like to share my experience in taking artistic travel photos. No complicated theories here, just some practical approach I use. I hope it will be helpful to some of the readers who are in their early stage of developing their skills. Comments and discussion are welcomed.
I distinctly remember my first maternity client and how painfully awkward it was.
Prior to the session I spent time searching for inspiration. And all I could find was ethereal draping fabrics, blowing wind and lots of bare skin out in fields of flowers. They were beautiful photographs, but they just weren’t me at all.
I couldn’t imagine setting up a studio of flowing drapery that covers everything except the bare essentials (cough, cough, the bump). Balancing baby blocks on my client’s belly was just not going to work for me. I just kept thinking to myself, there had to be some kind of in-between.
On top of the general look of the session, I was beginning to feel really self conscious when it came to how I would work through various poses. Thoughts like, “What should they do with their hands?”, “Is it too cheesy for the mom to hold the belly?” or “How do I capture the couple without making it resemble a bad prom photo?” would whirl through my head on an endless loop. It certainly wasn’t easy to get past these cliches of maternity photography, but I have found immense success in embracing the awkwardness.
It became increasingly important to me document this time with my clients in a way that made them remember who they were before their baby was born. Everything clicked for me once I shifted my focus off the bump and to the expecting couple.
I chose to capture the simple things like their morning routine. I documented how dad saw mom’s body in that moment or even the dog’s apprehension to her growing belly. In this approach, I found myself carving a path to more authentic maternity portraits. It felt like a breath of fresh air and even better, my clients were over the moon.
Through many lifestyle maternity sessions over the past six years, I have developed some tried and true tips to creating an environment for not-at-all-awkward maternity photos. Here are my top six tips for an intimate, swoon worthy, non-cheesy maternity session for those clients looking for something a little more real.
This may sound silly, but I attribute my clients comfort to the conversations I have with them. Soon-to-be moms are so deep in change when we meet. Their bodies have been rapidly growing over their pregnancy. If they’re first time moms, they’re attempting to process all the newness of adding a baby to their family and even if they’re a well seasoned parent, with each new child brings so much unknown.
And then we expect them to cuddle in their underwear in front of the camera comfortably? Yeah, right.
Regardless of what they want out of their session, it has been tremendously beneficial to start a conversation around the topic. I make sure we chat on the phone before they even book. This call breaks down the different styles of maternity sessions and assures them that I am determined to make everyone feel comfortable and at ease.
During the session we talk about their hopes, dreams and fears. We talk about how the couple met, where they went on their first date and how excited the grandparents are. I learn about what they love most about their partner and which traits they hope to pass along to their kids. But most of all, we talk about how crazy amazing it is that they are about to be parents.
Throughout these conversations I am 100% engaged and hanging on their every word. I want my sessions to feel like we’re just a couple of friends hanging out.
While they crack up reminiscing about how their first date went down, I snap photos of them in that moment. Doing so brings out their most natural feelings toward each other and often times my clients forget we are even taking pictures.
Pro tip: Keep a short list of five or so questions that you can ask during your maternity sessions. It will keep the conversation moving and let you get to know them without awkward pauses!
While I truly believe that pregnancy is a time worth documenting, I also know that maternity photos can be weird! Don’t believe me? Do a quick Pinterest search on maternity photography and see what comes up.
Did you also see a plethora of flowing gowns in glowing fields with almost nothing underneath, awkward poses with lots of bump caressing, a handful of little baby shoes resting on the belly and milk baths with fresh flowers all around the bump? Are you also thinking, what the heck?
Imagine what women must feel when they do that first search for maternity photo inspiration. For some, those images are totally their jam, and if that’s the case, then rock on! But for most people, it’s all a bit overwhelming.
The first thing I do to embrace the weird is remind my clients that there’s not one way maternity photos should look. They get to drive their session whether that’s silly photos with their spouse, putting on that dress they’ve been saving for these photos or capturing the bump with their first born (aka: their pet).
We also talk about the fact that it might feel awkward for them to get in front of the camera and how that is totally normal. I give them a heads up on my style and fill them in on what they can expect out of me. No one wants any curve balls on the day of the session!
Pro tip: make sure that anyone asking you to take photos of them has seen your work. This ensures that they get your style and aren’t expecting something totally different.
While I do not want to photograph some of the more dramatic poses that are popular in the maternity genre, I also know that I need to tell my clients what to do. Chances are, your subjects are not models. They don’t instinctively know how to hold themselves when you aim your camera at them.
This is why it’s important to constantly direct your subjects. Use simple prompts and specific directions so that they can feel like they are doing things right. Remember, they trust you to be the expert in this situation and your encouragement and adjustments will increase your subjects’ confidence.
That said, your direction does not have to be dramatic. I love using simple, silly prompts to get natural reactions from my subjects.
For example I might start by asking mom to rest her hands on her belly or turn ever so slightly to get the best angle of her growing bump. Then I might have dad whisper what they had for breakfast in his sexiest voice possible in her ear. The laughter that ensues makes for the best kinds of facial expressions!
I also make it clear that I am not here to judge their modeling skills. Instead, I want them to do the things that bring them joy so we can capture that. I encourage my subjects to turn up their favorite tunes, dance, make some coffee, or look at that funny Youtube video we were just talking about. We keep it very casual and that’s where the magic happens.
I used to think I needed to come prepared to every shoot with a floral robe, lace kimono or some kind of flowing dress. While these are all beautiful pieces, I recognize not all ladies have them readily available in their closets.
So instead, I urge my clients to work with what they have. After all, I want them to look back at these photos and recognize the clothing they were wearing. Clothing can hold such importance for our memories, so why not incorporate them into the session?
I have spent a good chunk of time putting together a preparation guide for my clients as well as plenty of example imagery on Pinterest. I give as many different style examples as possible. Not everyone is comfortable with stripping down to their bra and underwear in a photo!
There was on time when my client wrote to me, “Okay, so I know we need to do the underwear and robe look, so let’s get that over with first.” I cringed for her! I would never want to make someone feel like that is what they had to do! Instead, we took photos in her comfy pjs with her husband. She was at ease and filled with joy that shined through in her photos.
Make sure your client knows that her wardrobe is whatever she wants it to be and more importantly, what she feels beautiful in! As a guide for sessions at home, we can usually fit in about three outfit changes if the mood strikes.
I usually take ten minutes when I arrive to their home to take a quick tour, and then talk wardrobe with the mom. I ask that she have a few options ready, but we also may go rummage in their closet a bit to find just the right things. It’s all about being flexible, and making sure mom is comfortable throughout.
This may not be applicable to every shoot. I have done many sessions during the week while the partner is at work. However, I urge a lot of my clients to include the whole family for at least a portion of the session.
Keep in mind, when you include someone else you invite their potentially awkward feelings as well. It definitely takes more direction and patience on the photographer’s end to make sure both parties are comfortable.
We all know what it looks like when dad is just not feeling it. It’s usually a photo of a pregnant belly with dad, without the mom in focus or the dad just there uncomfortable holding said belly. And it just looks awkward. That being said, these photos are about the bump, so how do we get the partner involved without the awkwardness?
For starters, instead of asking them to touch the belly, suggest that they snuggle their wife and talk about what they kid will be like. I always ask if they can feel the baby kick or where it’s sitting at the moment. Do they sing to the baby or tell stories? The idea is to get them to interact with the belly but in a more natural way.
It’s important to make them focus on that gorgeous mama instead of you and your camera. By reminding them that it is their baby in there instead of just a giant belly, you are more likely to get them to relax.
Wait… aren’t these photos all about that baby bump?! Yes and no.
It may feel like the most counterintuitive thing for a maternity session. But I’ve found that it helps capture the most personality and intimate nature in the couple. This story is as much about their relationship now before baby as it is about the baby itself.
So instead of telling the couple to obsess over the baby, try making them focus on each other. This can be as simple as asking them to get comfy on the couch together. Give them something to talk and start snapping away.
One of my favorites is “I want you to tell the other person one thing that you are really proud of them for, that you have been meaning to tell them but haven’t had the chance.” Seeing as this is more of a personal chat, I assure them that I am taking a step back to photograph from a distance. From there I just tune into their body language.
I am not listening to their conversation. Rather, I am capturing them in a relaxed state. They are totally engulfed in the moment with their lover. In these less guarded moments, real authentic magic happens. I may see dad start to trace shapes over the belly or mom get teary eyed at his words. But none of it is manufactured.
If you are wanting to capture maternity photos that feel less awkward and more real, it all starts with you. Taking this simple approach to maternity photos will let you see the magic that happens naturally as a family grows. And there is nothing you can manufacture that is more beautiful than that.
The post How to create authentic and beautiful maternity photos appeared first on Clickin Moms blog: Helping you take better pictures one day at a time.
Clickin Moms blog: Helping you take better pictures one day at a time
This is an in-depth review of the Nikon Z6, a 24 MP mirrorless camera announced in August 2018 alongside the higher resolution Nikon Z7. The Z6 and Z7 marked Nikon’s entry into the full-frame mirrorless market, a category of camera that many Nikon shooters had anticipated anxiously for years. But it was always a question of “when,” not “if” Nikon would satisfy the mirrorless hunger, as the demand for such cameras remained steady and even increased despite the camera market’s overall decline. The Nikon Z6 in particular – being the more affordable of the two Z cameras – is a critical part of Nikon’s future plans. But how does this camera hold up in practice? The review below covers everything you need to know.
Landscape photography goes hand in hand with black and white. It isn’t just because of famous landscape photographers like Ansel Adams, but also because the intricate shapes that attract our attention in nature often “just feel right” in monochrome. Want to take better black and white landscape photos? This article explains why such images work so well, including how to make your own black and white landscape photography as strong as possible.
silhouette (n) sil·hou·ette 2 : the outline of an object seen, or as if seen against the light.
One of the greatest facets of photography is the storytelling behind the images. In silhouette photography, you do not get to see the entire story. This adds to the drama and mystery of the image, thus making your audience wanting more.
When done just right, you can produce an interesting and striking image. I kind of stumbled onto shooting silhouettes by accident while playing around with new techniques. And after seeing the results, I fell in love with the process and have been trying to improve it ever since. As my artistic style leans toward the dark and moody side shooting silhouettes feels like a natural extension of my photographic style.
But I don’t want you to stumble through the process! That’s why I am sharing some lessons and tricks I have learned along the way. Put these into action and you will be well on your way to capturing beautiful silhouettes.
While you should always feel empowered to take photos with the camera you have, silhouettes usually require a camera that you can use in manual mode. This allows you to adjust your settings so that the background is properly exposed while the subject is underexposed.
I rarely use my lens hood because I love the added interest lens flare adds to my images. However, if you want to avoid the streaks and spots that lens flare add to the frame, a lens hood is super helpful in doing so.
A UV reducing filter can let you really capture all of the colors and textures in a sky, adding an extra layer of interest to your silhouettes.
If you find yourself shooting silhouettes in the last few minutes of daylight, a tripod will be your best friend. This allows you to keep your shutter speed slow enough to get proper exposure without having any motion blur.
Any focal length can capture a beautiful silhouette, but there are lenses that are better equipped than others. I primarily shoot with a Sigma Art 35mm lens. It allows me to capture the scene while staying relatively close to my subject. Try using different focal lengths to see which one gives you the results you like best.
OUR ESSENTIALS FOR PHOTOGRAPHING SILHOUETTES
This lens is perfect for capturing big skies and beautiful sunbursts!
Have full control of your exposure by shooting in manual mode with a DSLR camera.
Protect your lenses and get higher quality photos when shooting toward your light source with a filter like this one.
The sky can act as a remarkably colorful backdrop to your scene. But to get that color to translate into your photos, you know how to work with it in your camera.
I have found that silhouettes work best for me when the sun is low. Therefore I prefer to shoot at sunrise or sunset. At these times the quality of light is not so harsh and the sky is filled with color that you can’t find midday. There are apps that you can download that will help you find the optimal time for sunrise and sunset in your area.
Be patient. Study the sky, light, and shadows. I love the interest that clouds add to an image. However, the wispier the better! In my shots where the sun was out but there were lots of thick clouds, my subject blended in with the clouds and got lost in the texture.
Fortunately, that giant ball of burning gas in the sky need not be your only hope. I’ve managed to shoot silhouettes in my children’s schools. As long as the background light outweighs the foreground light, you can have the perfect setting for a silhouette.
I’ve taken shots at night in front of my truck with the headlights acting as the light source. You can set an off-camera flash on a light stand. You can even use the lights in an illuminated room with your subject standing in the doorway toward a darkened hall. As long as you expose for the light and keep your subject in shadow, a silhouette is possible.
Practice, practice, practice, and use that mighty imagination of yours.
If shooting outside, I prefer to find an open space with less distractions. I am always looking for locations that do not have cars, buildings, etc. in the background. This keeps my intended subject as the focus without the possibility of another object distracting from it.
I always like to position myself to get as much of my subject’s details as possible. If shooting inside, in front of a big window works well. I like to position myself first, then move my subject into the frame. Get creative and think of different light sources in different to try a silhouette shot.
Make sure your on-camera flash is turned off! You don’t want that to fire and illuminate your subject when you are trying to capture a silhouette.
Shooting in manual mode will give you the most control. It allows you to meter for the background so that your subject is fully silhouetted. If you let the camera decide what settings to choose, it might try to keep your subject exposed while blowing out the background.
I also shoot in RAW. Shooting in RAW will help you to easily correct colors and white balance in post processing if needed. Even though the sun is low, I still try to shoot with a low ISO (usually between 100-400). Choose an aperture that lets you keep all the details you want in the background while keeping your subject nice and sharp. As you close down your aperture, you will also get the gorgeous sunburst effect.
Since I am shooting facing the sun, I play with my shutter speed and increase it accordingly. I also will underexpose to instantly “darken” my subject.
I almost always use back button focusing. However, when shooting silhouettes manually focusing your subject may be helpful. I have found that automatic focusing can struggle with focusing on your subject in these situations.
The trick to capturing a silhouette is to meter off the sky and not the subject. To do this, point your camera to the brightest area in the frame (but never directly at the sun!). Dial in your settings off of this camera reading.
Next, recompose to include your subject in the frame. You will likely see that your camera says that you are underexposed, but this is exactly what you want! Take the shot and look at your screen to ensure you are getting the results you want.
Sometimes you need to set your camera with a large aperture when facing a low light situation. For example, we had a huge full moon recently and I attempted to capture a silhouette shot of my daughter. I had to use a high ISO and shoot wide with a large aperture to achieve this.
Also, a silhouette shot does not necessarily mean your subject has to be entirely black. Leaving a bit of light gives your image a more three dimensional feel, and some added interest as well.
The key to successful silhouette posing is to have space between subjects and limbs. If things are overlapping, they will become continuous blobs of black and that just doesn’t work!
Have your subject position her legs and arms so that they are out from her sides. Stationary silhouette shots can be beautiful. However, I adore action shots as they add drama and also give all of those limbs something to do! You can ask your subject to twirl, throw a ball, run, jump, skip.
If you are photographing a family, ask them to throw a kid in the air (safely of course!). Or, have them all hold hands and jump. The possibilities are really endless!
Try to pay close attention to the outline of your subject to make sure you are getting as much detail as possible. Play around with different positions and move your subject in relation to the sun until you achieve the results you want.
When working with my silhouette shots, I tend to do minimal editing. I will take out any distracting objects that I can easily and quickly clone out. I like to increase my contrast, sometimes my blacks, and add some warmth.
The biggest thing to work with in your editing is the color and exposure. I always shoot in RAW to ensure that I can adjust both of these with as much information as possible.
Silhouettes are the perfect opportunity to play around with your editing. It is my favourite part of the process! See what colors work best or even try converting your image to black and white. The usual rules of proper editing aren’t as strict here, so have let your creativity take flight!
The key to mastering this technique, like any other photographic technique, is practice, practice, practice! I am still working on making my silhouette captures better, more dramatic, more creative.
Don’t be afraid to think outside the box! Your subject doesn’t even need to be a human. I have seen some of the most amazing silhouette shots taken of trees, buildings, objects and animals. Anything that has an interesting shape can be transformed into a memorable silhouette photograph with the proper amount of light behind it. The key is to let your vision shine through.
The post Everything you need to know to photograph stunning silhouettes appeared first on Clickin Moms blog: Helping you take better pictures one day at a time.
Clickin Moms blog: Helping you take better pictures one day at a time
