There is only one way to become a good photography: Taking lots of picture.
One way to get a lot of experience under your belt, and continue promoting yourself as a photographer is to tell your friends that you want to practice your photography and that you want to take a few photos of them.
Most people enjoy being photographed and and some times, when they are posing for lens, you get to see portions of their personalities that you don’t get to see every day.
Photographing friends has many benefits:
- It reinforces your skills
- you get to do a fun activity with your friends
- you get to remind everyone for the one millionth time that you are in the business of photography.
As you are practicing your photography, these are some things to keep in mind:
Confidently direct your model
If you want great photos, you must be prepared to confidently and self-assuredly direct your model.
Models reflect the direction they’re given, so if you show signs of anxiety or stress – or you give them a lack of direction – this will inevitably come through in the final photos.
Instead, act confident and personable. At the beginning of the shoot, communicate your agenda. Then, as you work, talk to your subject. Explain what you want to see, and offer plenty of praise when you get the shot you’re after (and even when you don’t!).
If you’re feeling anxious about the shoot and you’re worried you won’t be able to offer confident direction, then it can help to spend extra time getting prepared. In fact, if you’re nervous, then over-preparedness can be a good thing! Organize a shot list, and mentally rehearse technique and composition for each image. Prepare the location, props, and clothes ahead of time. That way, you’re free to focus on your model during the actual shoot.
Determine an overall theme
The best casual photography isn’t just about photographing a fashionably dressed person; instead, it’s about conveying an overall look and a specific mood.
So before you start shooting, identify the particular effect that you’re after, whether it’s dark and dramatic, bright and airy, or even a specific narrative or concept. Then make sure that everything about the person, the scene, and your photographic approach reflects this.
Use makeup and hair styling to complement the clothes and the model. If you want a provocative or seductive look, opt for dark, heavy makeup and over-styled hair; if you want an innocent or natural look, choose subdued pastel tones, gentle makeup, and soft, flowing hairstyles.
You should also light the scene accordingly. Sidelight produces dramatic, moody, three-dimensional images, while front light is eye-catching and energetic but has a flattening effect.
And you can bring in specific props to add that perfect final touch.
Inspire yourself with sample poses
Posing is one of the most difficult elements in photography to master. Fortunately, there’s a simple trick you can use to level up your posing skills, fast:
Create a file with poses you like, and look at it constantly.
Start by browsing through the latest fashion magazines, and when you see a pose that fits your style and interests, take a photo (or a screenshot). You can also browse through the portfolios of top fashion photographers, look on Instagram, etc.
As you collect poses, add them to a file on your phone. Then look at them frequently – whenever you get the chance. Study them. For each shot, ask yourself: What makes this pose work? What do I like about it? What would I improve?
You’ll soon have a mental repository of poses you can draw on during your photoshoots. And if you forget the details of a pose or you’re in need of inspiration during a session, feel free to pull out your phone and swipe through a few collection items!
Experiment with different angles
Your vantage point can make or break an image.
So when you’re working with your model, be sure to shoot from plenty of different angles.
Try getting up high (here, stairs or even a ladder can be helpful!), crouching down low, getting on the ground, moving around the model, and so on. Make sure you always keep your overall theme in mind and consider how different vantage points affect the look of the image.
Also, once you find an angle you like, spend some time working it. Try a few different compositional variations, move slightly from side to side, take a step forward or back, and so on. That way, you’re guaranteed to get the best possible shot.
Final words
Well, there you have it:
A few tips to enhance your photography.
Remember: Photographing people doesn’t have to be difficult. It might seem overwhelming at first, but the more you practice, the better you’ll get. And pretty soon, you’ll be taking shots like an absolute pro!
