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Posing:
- Look away from the camera.
For a more pleasing and natural pose, have the subject look slightly off from the camera, rather than directly at it.
- Tilt them specks.
If your subject is wearing glasses, have him tilt them down slightly so that the light does not reflect off of them.
- Get out of their face.
Sometimes a side shot or slightly angled shot will give a more natural and interesting perspective than a straight on shot.
- Get off centered.
Setting your subject off centered will give variety to your photography.
- Let them have their way.
When photographing babies and young children, work with them. If they want to hold their teddy bear or play with a ball, let them. Not only will it keep them happy, but you will get a more natural shot.
- Keep the clothing simple.
The goal is to draw the eye to the face. Avoid bright and busy clothing as it will draw attention away from the face. Also avoid yellow clothing as it does not compliment skin tones.
- Keep snapping.
If you want to catch the perfect shot, especially with children, keep up a constant shooting groove, one right after the other. If you have a digital camera, you can take lots and lots of shots, pick out the good ones, and delete the rest. When you see that perfect pose or expression, you'll be glad you did.
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Cheap, Easy and Simple Backdrops:
- Drape or hang a white sheet behind your subject, making sure the sheet comes down unto the floor and toward you. Make the transition from vertical to horizontal a smooth and gradual curve.
- Bunch up your sheet like a curtain for a softer look.
- For a black background, black fleece from a fabric store will work perfectly. Fleece will absorb light better than a cotton sheet, keeping it black in the photo. Just make sure you keep it clean. You don't want lint in your photos.
- A light to medium-light blue makes a very nice background color as it complements skin tones, so pull out that blue blanket in your closet.
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Lighting:
- Soft, natural light is your best friend. Set up your subject near a window or outside in the shade.
- Angle your subject so that the natural light hits about 3/4 of their face, rather than straight on.
- You don't have to use your flash indoors. If you find your photos are often overexposed (too bright), try turning your flash off.
- Using your flash outdoors may also do your photos a favor. Often your camera will expose for the bright background, leaving your subject's face dark. Using your flash will lighten up your subject.
- Balancing light on either side of your subject and slightly to the front, will help eliminate dark shadows caused by the flash.
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