The ultimate resource for family portrait photographers, 500 Poses for Photographing Children is designed to provide plenty of inspiration for photographing young subjects. This handy guide book addresses many issues faced by portrait photographers, including retaining the attention of infants, allowing a subject's individuality to show, capturing group portraits and posing children of different ages together. For ease of use, images are arranged by age of subject and size of image: from head shots to full length.
Offering a variety of options for refining poses and spicing up portrait sessions, this visual sourcebook addresses the problems that photographers often run into when taking portraits of men, whether the pictures are for male fashion shoots, weddings, family shots, or individual portraits. For ease of use, this reference groups sample images according to how much of the subject is included in the frame?from head-and-shoulders shots to full-length portraits. Containingacontemporary images from leading professionals, this indispensable manual explains posing fundamentals as well as how to offset the fears, concerns, and insecurities that men can bring to a portrait session."
Offering inspiration as well as guidance for portrait photographers to use during sessions with infants and toddlers—notoriously difficult subjects for posing—this guide takes a uniquely visual approach to instruction through its 500 stellar shots. With the challenges faced while working with children, it is easy to end up in a rut of go-to poses. The book counters the stock image effect with its broad variety of creative options, and incorporates experience-based knowledge on achieving successful results, such as creating a comforting zone for the child or the potential assistance of integrated props. The poses highlight what the parents love to see while considering what will work with even the most willful of young subjects.
It’s the portrait photographer’s job to create a flattering—perhaps idealized—likeness of the subject in front of his or her lens. There are countless things to consider both technically and artistically in order to make that happen. One thing is for certain: The more you show in the portrait, the more of the body that you will need to carefully position and refine. Nowhere is this more true than when photographing a full-length subject. Every part of the body, from the hair to the tips of the toes, must be posed, clothed, lighted, and shaded in order to look its best. The truth is, most photographers have trouble with conceptualizing and carrying out their client’s full-length poses. They have their clients strike a pose and try to envision how to make it look natural, comfortable, and photogenic. Unfortunately, their attempts often result in a stiff, unflattering, flat, or just plain awkward presentation. This visual sourcebook features a wide range of full-length poses designed for men, women, teens, kids, and groups—in the studio and on location. Photographers will find examples of poses for subjects of all ages that work perfectly for any portrait style, from reserved to edgy and fashion-forward, in seated, standing, and reclining presentations. Featuring studio and location (indoor and outdoor) portraits from twenty heralded portrait pros, this book will allow photographers to find a pose to re-create with their client—and adventurous shooters can use a sample portrait as a springboard for a new pose they conceptualize to suit their unique client or one-of-a-kind portrait concept. Complete with text on posing basics, this book is an indispensable resource that you’ll turn to over and over again.
The key to being a successful portrait photographer is choosing a style of photography you are passionate about. While many photographers work in multiple areas to fill the off season or offer a variety of options, most photographers focus on one style of photography. Oftentimes, the photographers’ location will dictate their style. For author Krista Smith, the sunny beaches of Florida are her inspiration to shoot primarily natural light portraits, and she applies that to capturing authentic and joyful family portraits. Whether photographing entire families, kids, babies or all of the above, Smith brings an ease and comfort to the shoots that is immediately evident in her pictures. And shows you how to create the same look in your environment or clients’ homes. While passion plays a key role in creating memorable portraits, employing the right techniques is essential for consistently getting those perfect shots. Smith begins by detailing what equipment you’ll need to get started and gives some insight on how and what to use. She emphasizes taking the time to figure out and hone a personal style of shooting. The book lists a number of tips for finding a style that fits, including taking inspiration from other photographers you admire, and deciding what kind of feeling you want to present. Once you start to find your style it’s important to build your portfolio. Organizing shoots with friends and family and offering free shoots to aspiring models is a great place to start. Outdoor shoots are the most ideal settings when using natural light as your primary light source. The author lays out the shoot requirements and gives tips for scouting the best locations. To create a photo that stands out, it’s important to be versatile. While a sweeping vista covered in flowers or grand mansion may be preferred as backdrops, these are often not an option for many. A city street with multiple building textures or a small field can be used from a variety of angles to create the feel of something grander. From there the author moves onto the basics of lighting in an outdoor setting. By explaining the fundamentals of the direction and quality of light and the use of reflectors, it allows the reader to prepare for any outdoor scenario. An entire chapter of the book dedicated to shooting strategies over the course of twelve hours. There are different requirements for shooting at different times of the day. The reader will learn how to make the most of the “golden hour” and adjust for problematic midday lighting. Adapting your approach for morning, evening and sunset sessions is also covered. Sometimes weather does not cooperate for an outdoor shoot. Luckily, there are plenty of options for using natural and available light indoors. Shooting in a client’s house provides a comfortable setting for the family and this ease can come across in the photos. Window light is a powerful tool to have an understanding of for these shoots. It is possible to get a variety of shots from one window. Being able to see beautiful light in all kinds of locations opens up countless shooting opportunities. While lighting is essential, thoughtful posing plays many important roles. In a well-done family portrait, the models look relaxed and natural. Some people look this way naturally, others need assistance. And posing isn't always a static thing; it can be more like orchestrating, grouping people together and getting them to move around in just the right way. It can also be used to help distract from physical problem areas, and bring added style to a photo. In addition, pointers are given on how to relax anxious children, organize families for group shots and encourage spontaneous moments. Finally, Smith discusses the business side of portrait photography. As she states in the closing chapter, there is more to the business than taking amazing photos. Without a stable financial and marketing plan it is difficult to stay competitive and possibly, stay in business. Realistic pricing packages are key. Pricing competitively is good, but it’s important to consider all of your expenses when deciding how much to charge. Marketing is imperative to the success of any business and social media can play a large role in that. Tips for using Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and blogging are given to help keep a business current and their clientele updated. An equally important part of marketing is branding. Establishing a brand helps you stand out from all of the other portrait photographers out there. Putting your style and passion out front helps clients know who to choose for their portrait needs. And pointers are given for customer interaction both over the phone and in person. This book provides a comprehensive overview of each aspect of professional family portrait photography. Smith takes the passion she has for creating beautiful, natural light portraits and lays out the steps for the reader to capture memorable shots on their own. Readers are also guided through what is involved with establishing a successful and vibrant portrait business. Drawing from her own experiences starting a portrait business from the ground up and providing indispensable tips for almost any shooting scenario, Smith has created an essential guide for natural light portraiture.
Next to lighting, posing is the most challenging aspect of photography—with so many body parts to capture, the possibilities are endless, and it’s all too easy to make a wrong turn. This illustrated reference provides both amateur shutterbugs and seasoned pros with the perfect place to turn when in need of quick posing strategies and fresh ideas. Containing 500 contemporary images by leading photographers, this indispensable manual explains posing fundamentals as well as how to create a flattering, feature-specific photograph—one that focuses on the head, shoulders, arms, torso, or feet—in different levels of close-ups, from head-shots to full-lengths.
Designed to address the challenges of posing two subjects together, this visual sourcebook offers creative, evocative poses for a variety of two-subject groupings, including romantic couples, business partners, friends, and siblings. Through the inclusion of contemporary images from some of the world’s most accomplished photographers, shutterbugs will learn how to finesse poses to show the relationship between the subjects in the portrait. Grouped according to how much of the subject is included in the frame—from head-and-shoulder shots to full-length portraits—this manual is organized to teach compositional skills and how to direct the eye to points of focus within an image. An indispensible handbook for beginning, intermediate, or professional photographers, this book provides inspiration along with a plethora of images for igniting a creative spark.
Detailing all the skills photographers need to successfully create natural-light family portraits, this handbook covers all aspects of the process, from attracting clients and planning the session to posing small families or large groups. Techniques for working outdoors, at the familyÕs home, or in a natural-light studio setting are included along with detailed information on post-production, album design, and marketing techniques for attracting clients. Advanced amateur and professional photographers will learn how to create a picture-perfect rendering by manipulating ever-changing and difficult-to-predict outdoor lighting and cultivating a cohesive look through harmonious poses, expressions, and clothing. This unique handbook is essential for family photographers looking to engage the family and bring out their subjectsÕ interpersonal relationships and individual personalities.
The fundamentals of exposure and the essentials of lighting are explored in this photography reference that uses progressive images from portrait sessions as its basis of explanation. Starting with how light is perceived differently by the camera than the human eye, this resource clarifies the more complicated laws that govern light, breaking the rules down with clear, effective examples. Various light sources are investigated—from simple sunlight to advanced professional and studio systems—as well as the types of lighting units used at different times during the sessions. By adding or modifying one light at a time, a sequence of images shows how the desired effect was achieved, offering photographers step-by-step troubleshooting tips. Concise text paired with photo examples offer any portrait photographer the techniques needed to create perfectly lit images.
Containing numerous contemporary images by leading photographers, this indispensable manual concerning wedding portraits explains posing fundamentals as well as how to create a flattering, feature-specific photograph--one that focuses on the head, shoulders, arms, legs, or torso--in different levels of close-ups, from head-shots to full-lengths.
The core goal of photography is representing subjects that have depth and texture in a medium that inherently lacks both those qualities, and this book shows the best way to rise to that challenge: through the careful application and capture of lighting. It demonstrates how to accentuate or minimize textures, add or subtract highlights, and create or combat shadows to showcase the subjects in the best way and create the illusion of a third dimension in the images. Exploring techniques for lighting portraits, still-life subjects, nature images, and architectural shots, both studio and location lighting are covered in detail. The book teaches photographers how to study their subjectsÑwith all of the textures, colors, shapes, and surfaces they haveÑthen visualize the image as a finished photograph before the photography actually begins. With chapters that thoroughly cover the science of lighting and visualization, photographers can apply that knowledge and successfully create artful images.
