Before & After

What you get is not what you see (at first)

Like a lot of my photographer friends with an online presence, I get a lot of emails and messages asking me about how I create my images. I can’t really say that I have one set workflow that applies to all images I work on on my computer. Each one requires a different approach, even if some things remain constant. Sure I use Lightroom, Photoshop, and a host of third party plugins but I’m not going to write about those things today.

I would like to share a few before and afters with you:

With the right editing you can really make an image pop and enhance the subject without changing alot.

Editing can also drastically change the feel of an image, you can set the mood with the right changes.

Posing Can Really Change The Look of Your Photo

I got this great information from Sue Bryces blog:  http://www.inbedwithsue.com/2011/07/15/more-girls-with-curves/

Posing can make a huge difference in how your photos come out.  The new pose is a standing recline.  No more shooting down, just get them to dip forward slightly.

Be sure to check out the link to see the difference the right pose can make.

Size Does Matter

If like many people you struggle to know what image size would be good for a wall presentation then this blog post is for you.

A 8x10 image is typically seen as a standard enlargement size for most people however if you look at the image below, you will start to get a sense of just how small a 8x10 image is, particularly if you intend to purchase this size print for a wall presentation. 8x10 images work well for framed desk prints but you have to start thinking a whole lot bigger if you intend to display images on your wall to create a visual impact.

Choosing the right size portrait for your wall will be dependant upon the available wall space you have to fill & obviously it also depends on what image configuration you would like & the end result you are aiming to achieve. If you are choosing 3 images to be presented together for instance then you may be able to go with 3 slightly smaller images. Of course if you are are going for a single image above a fireplace or sofa then you really need to be looking at the bigger enlargements as explained.

I am happy to offer any of my clients advice regarding image presentation, so if you are unsure of how to present images from your session please let me know.  I offer a range of beautifully selected products which are carefully created by skilled craftsmen using high quality materials, so you can rest assured that you will be receiving a quality product that will last for years to come.

Here are some example layouts as well:

Makeup for your portrait session

Doing makeup for photographs is a little different than every day makeup. Some things look great in person but don't translate well in pictures. Here are a few makeup tips to help you look your best when you are photographed:

1. Use matte colors - Although shimmer can look great when applied properly, if you are a little unsure about what to do, it's always safe to go with matte colors. Matte makeup won't reflect light, making it easy to apply and easy to photograph.

2. Fill in your brows - Even if you don't fill in your brows on a daily basis, fill them in for your pictures. Your eyes and face will look so much more complete if your brows are looking polished. This especially goes for blondes. Blonde eyebrows will disappear in photographs.

3. Makeup will photograph 2 shades lighter -   Makeup doesn't translate as vibrant in photographs. I recommend doing your blush, eyes and lip color a little more vibrant than you normally would.

4. Use powder - Even if your makeup is applied perfectly, if you look shiny in your pictures it can ruin your whole look. Once your makeup is complete, use a finishing or setting powder to make everything more matte. I recommend even taking some powder with you (or oil blotting sheets), especially if it's a warm day.

5. Wear false lashes - I have never had a bride who didn't like wearing false lashes, even if they were hesitant about them at first.  If you want something more natural, buy the individual lashes and just put a few on the outer corners.

6. Apply your makeup in natural light - When you put on your makeup, sit by a window or in a room with a lot of natural light. This will give you the best idea of what your makeup really looks like, and how it will look in the pictures.

7. Wax - makeup does not adhere well to peach fuzz. Whatever you normally wax on your face, wax it before your pictures. I suggest waxing at least 48 hours before your pictures to give enough time for any redness and swelling to go down.

8. Wear lip gloss- I, myself, never wear lip gloss. I am a chapstick girl through and through. But when it comes to photos, lip gloss is a must. I consider my lips on the smaller side, so wearing lip gloss really helps them look full and plump in pictures.

9. Wear black mascara - Some people think black is too harsh for their skin tone, but I promise that when it comes to pictures, black looks good on everyone. Wearing black mascara will bring out your eyes a lot more than brown will.

What to Wear - Clothing can make or break your session.

Its the age old question, What should we wear for our photo session.  Well an outfit can truley make or break a session,

TIMELESS CLASSIC

Jeans w/ black shirts

Darker wash jeans with a black shirt is a great basic for a family portrait. Black is generally slimming for anyone who wears it and hides a multitude of sins. Jeans are causal and the darker wash keeps the contrast factor down, so that the true focus of the portrait can be the faces and expressions of the subjects. I highly recommend this for newborn and baby portraits and for classic family portraits.

TIP: Check your black shirts for fading, especially if its an older shirt. Black is a staple in any wardrobe, so if there is any sign of fading, invest in a new one for your portrait session!

MODERN CLASSIC

Same color family, variety of tones and textures

If you find all black a little dull or too formal for your family portrait, there is a easy option for making things more casual and interesting. Wearing tops that are all still in the same color family (such as blues or grays, as shown below) but varying the tones (dark vs. light) and textures of the individual outfits, can have a really nice effect.

If monochromatic is still a bit to “dull” for your taste, but you want to stay classic, try mixing subtle & harmonious colors together. I recommend working with only a couple of shades to keep it simple. The trick to this look – remove the darkest and lightest shades and work with the mid-tones. Grays, creams, khakis, and pastels.

MODERN POP

Multiple coordinating colors

This type of outfit coordination is more difficult to work with, but can be phenomenal if pulled off correctly. The outfits may all be different, but have colors, textures or tones in common. Below are a couple of samples, but the possibilities are truly endless!

ADDITIONAL ADVICE

Individually we look great, but together we clash!

This is by far the most common mistake made. Individually each member looks fantastic, but once you place everyone in the group shot, the patterns and colors all start to clash and compete with each other. To help combat this, lay each outfit out on your bed and look at them all together as a group and ask yourself – what is the common factor in all of these outfits? How do they tie together? Then, is there any one outfit that your eye is immediately drawn to? If so, that will be the outfit that catches the eye of whoever views your portrait. Now, you may WANT this to happen (such as focusing the attention on your young child) but for most families, this isn’t ideal, so pull that outfit out and try another one.

The Pattern Problem

The number one cause of clothing clash in family portrait is pattern clash. If you are not comfortable coordinating patterns, then I suggest sticking with solids. Vary the tones or textures to add interest.

The trouble with white…

We think of white as clean and classic – easy to coordinate. But honestly, it’s not that great for portraits. First off, since our eye is drawn to the brightest/lightest part of a portrait, white outfits will compete with our faces for attention. Second, it’s not slimming. AT ALL. Lastly, it’s horrid to photograph in the bright Arizona sun. Please avoid wearing white shirts if at all possible for outdoor sessions or discuss with me prior to your session.

Avoid short skirts and sleeveless shirts

Ideally, your outfits should work both sitting down and standing up, so I suggest avoiding short skirts. I always advise against sleeveless shirts for adults for ANY session.

Choosing colors

Even if you feel confident in your ability to select a variety of colors and textures for your portrait wardrobe (and I am always willing to help if you are not!) one decision that can be difficult is deciding what colors to wear. My first suggestion is to look at the room where you’d like to hang the portrait. Look at the colors in that room for inspiration. My other suggestion is to think of the location of your session – a desert portrait lends itself to natural colors, an urban session to more fun, flashy outfits and a studio session can go either direction. These are not hard/fast rules (who says you can’t wear magenta in the desert?) so if you have some ideas and would like opinions, please let me know!

Ask your friends!

December Speical

 

This special is available until December 20, 2012 and can be used until December 2013.

 

 

 

Welcome to my Blog!!!

Finally this day has arrived! Everyone kept telling me that I should have a blog, and I just didn’t have enough time to sit down for several hours and put it together, so I had to do it piece by piece, and finally here we are. I know it still needs a little work, but I didn’t want to delay it any longer. So if you have any suggestions, or if anything doesn’t work properly, please let us know!

I want to thank everyone for support, my family, friends, Facebook fans, and especially my clients. Photography has become my life and if it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have the pleasure of having my Photography out there for everyone to see. Thank you guys very much for being who you are, and for giving me the pleasure of photographing your beautiful families, babies, and children.

Hope to see you soon in front of my camera!!!!!!