Each portrait session should highlight the subject's personality.
Variety and creativity abound in a portrait studio setting. With a comfortable controlled climate, variable lighting options and digital effects, photo shoot ideas can be overwhelming and it can be difficult to narrow down your options. Whether you have children, families or individual portrait sessions filling your day, each shoot should reflect the personality of your subject. Choosing the right session style starts with a meeting between the photographer and client. Discussions regarding the final desired look and the purpose of the portraits will help you determine the type of shoot to set up.
Natural Ambiance
When rain and wind threaten the possibility of an outdoor photo session, take the session indoors. Shooting next to a large window flooded with natural light diffused by looming clouds or the use of a digital backdrop recreates the serenity and ambiance of an outdoor scene. Children who become easily distracted outdoors sit longer in the controlled setting of a portrait studio. Hand the child a flower to smell or a pint-sized fishing pole to better capture images of the child at play.
Playful and Simple
Children like entertainment, especially during a photography shoot. For bouncy, active groups of siblings, forgo the perfect hands-clasped poses for a more youthful, playful portrait. Place the children on a solid white or black backdrop and add one element for them to discover. For a spring portrait, give each child a brightly colored balloon and watch as they smile, poke and wave the balloons around. For a winter portrait, introduce a string of illuminated holiday lights or plastic holiday tree ornaments. Capture unique portraits as the children wrap themselves in the lights or gaze into the shiny ornaments.
Classic and Comfortable
Groups of adults and older couples enjoy studio portraits that recreate a comfortable home-type atmosphere. Push away the backdrops and opt for a classic hardwood floor and neutral earth-tone painted wall. Stage the studio with a sturdy sofa or love seat, an end table and a floral arrangement. Position the family members on and around the seating in natural comfortable poses.
Wild and One-of-A Kind
Every high school senior wants their graduation portraits to highlight their personality. With the magic of green screen backdrops and digital photo editing software, the senior can be magically transported to a Parisian bridge overlooking the Seine River, the cockpit of an old B-52 bomber airplane, or safely dangling their toes over the edge of a scenic cliff. For a more wild, yet still classic look, work with color in the studio. Contrast neon-colored paper backdrops against funky contemporary chairs for a modern look. Use a ladder or unusual poses to achieve portraits with uncharacteristic angles.
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