If you aren't a pro you can still get good pictures of your family and friends with some of these tips.
Bad Example:
I asked my dear twin brother to take my husband and I's engagement photos. Free pictures. Well you get what you pay for. My brother can take pictures...but he didn't know how to direct us. I can't see through the lens to know what to do! Here is some of the magic from that day. These are a little embarrassing and now makes me laugh. They did not turn out how I imagined. But I have to show you so you can see what I mean!
Several mistakes here. It was windy that day, I didn't really do my makeup, and I chose a dress that made me look pregnant. Aside from that...a photographer needs to get the right angle! Each of those pictures would have turned out much differently if my bro had stepped to the side or crouched down. Photographers can't just stand there. Also tell your subjects what to do! "Turn your head to the left", "Pretend like you are whispering something to her", "make a silly face", "laugh" etc. Most people aren't natural born models, so tell them what to do!
I've done a few photography sessions for people. I love it. It is SO much fun. I did some engagements and some maternity shoots for my sister and sister in law. You don't have to have a fancy camera to get some good pictures. Here are some from my little sister's belly shoot.
Isn't she adorable? I took these with a little Canon power shot. Afterwards I did some editing. Editing makes all the difference! These photos are the unedited versions. A really crappy photo can 9 times out of 10 look better in black and white. Here are some I turned into polaroids (I LOVE the polaroid look):
There are lots of free programs and websites where you can add cool effects and lighting. I like:
Picmonkey
Gimp
(gimp is the poor man's photoshop)
Turn pics into polaroids
Yesterday I took maternity pictures of my sister in law. She is also tiny and adorable for being 36 weeks pregnant. I took these with my Nikon D3200 that the hubs got me for my birthday :)
She craves popsicles and gatorade so we included that in the pics. I also brought some simple props to the orchard where we took pics like: a blanket, mason jar, fun straws, streamers to hang in the trees. There were deer running around in the orchard too! I love how these turned out.
If you're taking pictures of your family, have them be themselves! Skateboard, swing, eat their favorite food, kiss each other, read books. It's great to see pictures that capture their personalities.
Just have fun with it! Takes a bajillion pictures. Chances are with 200 pictures you'll have 20 really good ones. Take a lot to get to those magic moments!
