Eight Points of View – Photo Session Tips

Eight Points of View – Photo Session Tips

eight category list

Near, Far, Above, Below, Details, Motion, Layering, Fun

How do you make sure your photo session has variety, tells the full story and flexes your creative muscles?

I have eight categories that I follow to guarantee variety in each of my family, senior and branding portrait sessions. If I’m photographing one person or a group of people, I make sure to:

  • Move myself around
  • Move them around
  • Pay attention to how I use my environment in these eight categories.

So – let’s start with the basic set-up. You’ll see this arrangement in maybe 75% of photos taken. The photographer and subject are both standing – about 5-6 feet apart. The photographer is using a 50mm-85mm lens and shooting straight on.

This point of view works just fine. But now, how can we add on from that basic set-up?

Remember these eight categories:

1) NEAR – As legendary photojournalist, Frank Capra said “If your pictures aren’t good enough, you aren’t close enough” – so that’s the first thing to make sure you do at your photo session – get close. These captivating close-ups will draw viewers in.

closeup of brother and sister during a family photo session

2) FAR – I also call this the establishing shot. It showcases the whole environment and the relationship of the people to their environment.

family photo session in live oak meadow in pease park, austin, texas

3) ABOVE – Elevate your perspective by shooting your subject from above, creating a birds’eye view that adds another dimension to your image gallery. 

girl in colorful light reflections

4) BELOW – While less commonly used, shooting from below can add a touch of power to your subjects, especially with children who may not be accustomed to seeing themselves from this perspective. Experiment and see what you like from this point of view. 

girl at blanton museum under the petal sculptures

5) DETAILS – I like to capture details to help tell the full story. Focusing on hands, hair, or other intricate elements brings depth and richness to your compositions.

family of four all holding hands

6) MOTION – Everyone is more comfortable and less stiff when they’re moving. You can take this a step further and incorporate motion blur as well. This category adds a dynamic energy to your images. 

two brothers jumping

7) LAYERING – if you divide your 2-D image into a foreground, middleground and background, you establish a 3-D like capture. Create depth by placing your subject between two distinct objects.

pease park portrait session in november in austin, texas

8) FUN – This category is where you get to play – are there reflections, props you can use, silly actions people can take? I usually end my photo sessions with something out of the ordinary when the clients are most relaxed and comfortable after our time together. Here is where your creativity can shine the most.

family photo session rooftop downtown austin texas

girl framed by red and white flowers

family jumping during their photo session downtown austin

So, whether you’re a seasoned photographer or just starting out, use these eight categories in your portrait sessions to guarantee variety, tell compelling stories, and unlock the full potential of your creative powers. Elevate your photography, one different point-of-view at a time!

Want information on booking a photo session?

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Senior Photo Shoot Checklist

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How to Prepare for your Senior Photo SessionYou've taken the first step and booked your High School Senior Portrait Session. What else do you need to do to be prepared? Take a look at my checklist below: If you need location ideas - check this BLOG POST. If you want...

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Now Booking – 2024 Family Photo Sessions

Now Booking – 2024 Family Photo Sessions

Interested in booking Family photos this Winter or Spring 2024?

 

If you live in Austin and want Family photos: my Winter/Spring calendar is now open!

  • Check out my Family Photo Gallery HERE.
  • Check out my Family Photo Session Guidelines and FAQ HERE.
  • Check out recent Family Photo session blog posts HERE.

When you’re ready to pick a date – instructions are below:

Fill out my Contact Form to book your Winter/Spring Senior Portrait Session this January – May 2024 in Austin, Texas.

contact form

An $150 retainer is required to hold your spot. The remainder of the fee ($391.25) is due at your session.

Curious about School Holidays this first part of the year, check out what’s on AISD’s calendar for days off this season:

aisd 2024 calendar

Wondering what the weather will be like each month:

months to book

Once you book your date, I’ll be in touch to discuss locations, outfits and all the other details.

(If you’re interested in a Fall photo session later this year instead, contact me below. Then I’ll add you to my list when those dates go live at the end of this summer)

 

Have questions? Or want to be added to my contact list when my Fall Calendar goes live later this year?

Please contact me so I can help. 

Ready to book a photo session?

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Senior Photo Shoot Checklist

Senior Photo Shoot Checklist

How to Prepare for your Senior Photo SessionYou've taken the first step and booked your High School Senior Portrait Session. What else do you need to do to be prepared? Take a look at my checklist below: If you need location ideas - check this BLOG POST. If you want...

read more

Now Booking – 2024 Senior Photo Sessions

Now Booking – 2024 Senior Photo Sessions

Ready to book your Class of 2024 Senior Photo Session?

 

If you live in Austin and want Senior photos: my Winter/Spring calendar is now open!

  • Check out my Senior Photo Gallery HERE.
  • Check out my Senior Photo Session Guidelines and FAQ HERE.
  • Check out recent Senior session blog posts HERE.

When you’re ready to pick a date – instructions are below:

Please fill out my contact form below to book your Winter/Spring Senior Portrait Session this January – May 2024 in Austin, Texas.

contact form

An $150 deposit is required to hold your spot. The remainder of the fee ($310) is due at your session.

Curious about School Holidays this first part of the year, check out what’s on AISD’s calendar for days off this season:

aisd 2024 calendar

Wondering what the weather will be like each month:

months to book

Once you book your date, I’ll be in touch to discuss locations, outfits and all the other details.

(If you’re Class of 2025 High School or College Senior and are interested in a Fall 2024 session instead, contact me below. Then I’ll add you to my list when those dates go live at the end of this summer)

 

Have questions? Or want to be added to my contact list when my Fall Calendar goes live later this year?

Please contact me so I can help. 

Ready to book a photo session?

More From This Category

Senior Photo Shoot Checklist

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How to Prepare for your Senior Photo SessionYou've taken the first step and booked your High School Senior Portrait Session. What else do you need to do to be prepared? Take a look at my checklist below: If you need location ideas - check this BLOG POST. If you want...

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Highland Collective and St. John Encampment Commons – Photo Session

Highland Collective and St. John Encampment Commons – Photo Session

Little Picchu sculpture, Bright Colors and Purple flower beds

Driving around Austin, I try to pay attention to see what new-to-me spots might work for future Senior Photo Session Locations. For this portrait session, that’s what happened.

First, I was taking my kids to Crux Climbing Gym near Airport, and I noticed the colorful artwork installed in front of the Highland Collective. Highland Collective is a group of artists and makers working out of a shop in Central Austin. With a little research, I found out it was a piece called Little Picchu by Artist, ILYSPARKPLUG.

I had to stop and take a photo. This spot definitely works best on sunny days. 

stephanie under little picchu sculpture

Next, I was going out to lunch at Easy Tiger, and saw out of the corner of my eye, some colorful purple poles on the Highland ACC Campus. With a detour on the way home and some research, I learned the greenspace with the long purple poles was the St. John Encampment Commons.

Named for the annual encampments at the St. John’s Orphan Home, an African American school located on the site in the early 1900s, the park at the new ACC Highland Campus transformed a section of the former Highland Mall parking lot into a key gathering space. 

 The installation of light poles in ACC’s striking purple color celebrates the site’s current purpose and ties this open space to Fontaine Plaza on the other side of campus.”

st. john encampment commons photo session ACC campus austin, texas

Knowing I’d want to combine these two locations into my next individual’s portrait session, I was ready and excited about all the possibilities in these two colorful spots. 

little picchu sculpture highland collective photo session austin texas

Tips for Photo Sessions at The Highland Collective and St. John Encampment Commons

  • WORKING HOURS: The Highland Collective is open 10am-5pm weekdays. For easier parking, visit this spot on the weekends. And make sure to pick a sunny day to get the light shining through the sculpture.
  • SCHOOL HOURS: Same idea for the St. John Encampment, visit the park area when school at ACC Highland is NOT in session to avoid crowds and get easier parking.
  • DISTANCE: The two spots are about a three minute drive apart – so easy to combine in one photo session.

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Please check out some of my favorite images below and contact me if you’d like to book your own photo session.

And because after each photo session, I provide black & white as well as color hi-res digitals in your image gallery, you’ll also see some black & white edits below. 

1. What do you plan to do with your digital photos? We will share photos with family for the holidays. These years fly by, and they grow up so fast. I love having a current photo to share with friends and family. 

2. What advice would you give to others planning a similar photo session? Pack a few outfit choices. We had no idea that the purple dress would be the perfect pallet. When we saw the second location, Stella knew she had the perfect option.

3. Anything else you’d like to add about working with Stephanie Friedman Photography? Stephanie made the whole experience enjoyable. She was relaxed, confident and efficient. I just sat back and let her work her magic. 

 

Interested in a photo session?

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Senior Photo Shoot Checklist

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How to Prepare for your Senior Photo SessionYou've taken the first step and booked your High School Senior Portrait Session. What else do you need to do to be prepared? Take a look at my checklist below: If you need location ideas - check this BLOG POST. If you want...

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