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.

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

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

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. 

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.

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. 

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.

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.