By Kairee Luna, Design
Specialist
One job that I truly love
doing — no matter the circumstances, time required or pay — is one that I
taught myself. It sometimes requires me to work outside in the cold or heat,
roll around in dirt, and occasionally endure public humiliation. This is the
life of a family photographer. I love what I do, and I’ve learned simple tips
along the way that can help anyone take great pictures.
1. Edit photos sparingly.
Editing can enhance a
photograph, but it can also detract from a photograph if done incorrectly.
Editing should emphasize the good that already exists. Whenever I edit a photo,
I try to keep it looking as natural as
possible while still making it "pop." I do so by adjusting lighting,
saturation and contrast. Many beginners over contrast, or over or under saturate
an image. It's fun to experiment with filters, so it's easy to go overboard. Still,
the best photos are the ones that look natural, with the main focus on the
subjects, not the strange colors and dark shadows that may exist around them.
Now if you're going for artful or abstract photography, that's another story.
2. Don't be afraid to
embarrass yourself.
If you're photographing
children and want their attention, you'll need to act a little goofy to get
them to laugh. During one of my recent shoots, I spent a good portion of the
session making popping sounds with my mouth. And don't be afraid to sing if you
have to. Luckily for me, I now have a partner who accompanies me on my shoots
to take over the embarrassing battle of making silly faces for the kids.
However, that task never truly ends.
3. Don't over or under
pose your subjects.
My biggest weakness as a
photographer is not knowing appropriate pose techniques. This can lead to awkward pauses where I
attempt to think of something quick and on the spot, which may not make for the
smartest decisions. At the same time, I believe this is also one of my
strengths as it allows me to capture the moments I do. I don't strive for
perfection; I strive for the raw and natural. You'll rarely see me move a
client's arm to the small of his wife’s back, or tilt a child's head to get the
very best angle. Sure, I'll give my clients loose direction and make sure they're
all facing the camera, but I allow them to pose how they want. And when a family
laughs, or a child runs off to play on their own, they become the best moments
to capture. If a client doesn't feel comfortable, you'll sense it in a
photograph. Likewise, if they're caressing their boyfriend's cheek in a way
they wouldn’t in real life, it’s awkward for everyone. Sure, the photo might
look awesome and resemble a romantic novel cover, but it doesn't reflect the
personalities of the people in it.
4. It's not the camera
or equipment that makes a great photographer, it's the person behind the lens.
My biggest pet peeve is
when someone compliments an awesome photograph, but then follows up by saying,
"What kind of camera do you have? It takes great photos!" I shoot
with the bare basics — a camera body and a 50mm camera lens, no fancy flashes,
accessories or even top-of-the-line lenses that might separate me from looking
like a hobbyist on a regular day. But if a photographer knows how to use their
camera, frame an image and work with their subjects, it doesn't matter how old
or basic the camera is. The photos will always turn out beautifully. And just
because someone has better or newer equipment, doesn't mean their photographs
will be any better than your own.
5. Practice, practice,
practice.
Photography is a skill
you'll never stop learning, and the more you do it, the more you'll grow as a
photographer and develop your own style.
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