hi :) so..i was recently "hired" by a family that i know pretty well to take a few pics of their family for an anniversary thing...it was low - key so i wasn't stresed or anything but i was wondering what people need to know when they're "modeling" and what i need to look for to make sure everything looks good, what i can let be and what i might want to speak up about for example..... a stray hair vs hands in pockets/ hands infront or in back. that kinda stuff. the little details..? i didn't have a clue what i wanted them to do. haha help!! :)
It is a fine art to balance. You want them to be themselves, but you also want to make sure they look their best. If there is a simple fix to something, you can certainly ask them to change, but you have to make sure you do it nicely. Instead of telling them what not to do, tell them what to do. Not, "get your hands out of your pocket", but "can you put your arm around her", and move the stray hair without even saying anything if you can do it discreetly.
Yes, I agree with Shelina and Natalie! as you are shooting, advise on what will make the shot look better, as you look through the lens it will come to you :)
I try to get people to relax, find a comfortable position, and then I make small adjustments. I want the photos to look as natural as possible, but some things just look awkward (even when they're not) - a hand around someone's upper arm or on the shoulder (always makes me think of spiders), arms straight down at the side, or hands fully stuffed in pockets. Stray hairs? Not so much. But that's my style of shooting - stray hairs, most of the time, add something to the shot. Of course, for a modelling portfolio or such, it's different - nothing can be out of place, and it's far easier to fix it at the time than try to clean it up later in post. With weddings, a common thing to fix is the bride's veil, or for the men, their ties. If you're confident they won't think anything of you stepping in to fix something (well, not in the middle of the vows or suchlike), and they'll thank you for it later.
I am not a huge fan of the stogy poses. So, on the occasions I do these things, I find the best shots are the ones that are not planned. Loosens things up. Just my style. Not everyone's
im with chris the photos i love are the more casual ones , not sitting like statues. Candid shots are my fav's and keep ur camera on continuous mode cos u never know when u might get that emotion caught on camera .. try and make ur subjects laugh and relax , i also find this helps alot.
Mornings and afternoons are best if ur shooting outside , better lighting,models are not squinting at the sun , great colours in the sky.
It really is a balance of what everyone is saying. Do some staged poses and then try to catch them in between those poses with the camera like Brenda mentioned.
I actually spent an afternoon shooting engagement pictures for my brother and his fiancee. We did a bunch of staged shots that actually came out pretty nice but the one they both loved the most (and used for their "save the date" card) was one I fired off while they were just walking together. I don't even think I had my camera to my eye when I got it. It really looks like he had just proposed and they are both walking home smiling.
I guess I really didn't address your concerns with posing but I would say to shoot everything and then review the shots to see what you like better.
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I try to get people to relax, find a comfortable position, and then I make small adjustments. I want the photos to look as natural as possible, but some things just look awkward (even when they're not) - a hand around someone's upper arm or on the shoulder (always makes me think of spiders), arms straight down at the side, or hands fully stuffed in pockets. Stray hairs? Not so much. But that's my style of shooting - stray hairs, most of the time, add something to the shot. Of course, for a modelling portfolio or such, it's different - nothing can be out of place, and it's far easier to fix it at the time than try to clean it up later in post. With weddings, a common thing to fix is the bride's veil, or for the men, their ties. If you're confident they won't think anything of you stepping in to fix something (well, not in the middle of the vows or suchlike), and they'll thank you for it later.
Mornings and afternoons are best if ur shooting outside , better lighting,models are not squinting at the sun , great colours in the sky.
and most of all enjoy what u do :)
I actually spent an afternoon shooting engagement pictures for my brother and his fiancee. We did a bunch of staged shots that actually came out pretty nice but the one they both loved the most (and used for their "save the date" card) was one I fired off while they were just walking together. I don't even think I had my camera to my eye when I got it. It really looks like he had just proposed and they are both walking home smiling.
I guess I really didn't address your concerns with posing but I would say to shoot everything and then review the shots to see what you like better.