Changing Perspective

I often receive emails from friends, family, and other budding photographers asking what they can do to improve their photos.

In my opinion, which probably doesn't count for much, the number one thing I can offer up is this:
CHANGE YOUR PERSPECTIVE! 



1.  Shoot from above. Instead of just quickly snapping a photo, get above the subject/object; decide what you want to focus in...the pearls are in focus, while the earring are not. It's more visually interesting that just a standard shot with both items in focus.

 Pumpkins are fun and colorful. Taking a photo of the pumpkins would have been fine, but by changing my perspective, its adds a little more umph to the photo.

2.  Get down on their level. If you are shooting children, get on their level. Most of the time, when I shoot babies and/or children, I'm laying on the ground (probably in ants and poison ivy), but that way, you get the children looking directly at you, instead of up at you. 

3. Purposely cut off your photo. With this photo, I had already taken a few of the couple with the chalkboard and then just decided that "chopping off their heads" would make for a more interesting photo. Not everyone may like it, but it spices things up just enough where you still get the idea!

4. Use the architecture around you. Use it to your advantage. This is just a boring old abandoned building, but by laying on the sidewalk and shooting up, I changed my perspective, and therefore, the photo.

5. Shoot through something. This is something that I'm just starting to do more and I'm in love with the results thus far. These two lovebirds snuggled next to each other was a decent, normal photo, but again, by shooting through something, it adds drama to the photo and makes it more interesting.

6. Get up close. And personal. Some of y'all may have a mini stroke when I tell you this, but, this shot was achieved with the Nikon 18-55 lens. Yep, I got this gorgeous macro shot with the kit lens. Get up close to your subject, but make sure there is something interesting in the background. See how the ring is sitting on cotton? And see the blurred cotton platter in the background?

7. Try something different. Out of the ordinary. Completely out of the box. You may surprise yourself.

8. Technology has become more prevalent in the recent years...use it to your advantage! In this particular shot, family and friends were crowing around the bride and groom trying to get a shoot and I used it to my advantage. Again, it may not be everyones cup of tea, but I find it interesting.

9.  Use the goofs to your advantage. Trying to get a mama and daddy and 5-year-old and 2-year-old to all cooperate at the same time for a photo = challenging. Let the kids be kids. You'll be surprised at the amazing shots you can achieve when you let the kids be who they are instead of forcing them to do something and they look miserable in a photo.

10.  On average at a wedding, I take over 1,000 photos. The average wedding client receives around 150-300 photos from their wedding. So what happens to the rest? They disappear into the void of my recycling bin. If you actually gave a bride all 1,000 of her photos, she would be overwhelmed. But, if you narrow down the selection, it makes things more manageable.

I'm often asked, "how do you get perfect photos every time?"
Here's the secret: I don't. Eyes are closed, kids are sneezing, the lighting is off. I just take so many photos of the same scenario that I know I have at least 3 good ones. And then they are given to the client in color, black and white, and then a funky edit. Then the client can choose which photo better suites their need.