What we want out of photos
I’m terrified of taking photos, being in them is even worse! I have never liked photos. I’ve always carried a little extra weight and just hated that I didn’t like how I looked in photos. I would look at the magazines and many around me and wish I was as photogenic as they were.
I believe that out of all the people I know very few of them would tell me they love taking photos. Most would say they avoid them at all costs. They say they are too fat, too thin, their makeup wasn’t right, and so on. Most just can’t stand taking photos for whatever reason. So what is the solution to better photos?
I did some research and read quite a few articles. Some talked about lighting and others about posture. A couple I read said you had to sit a certain way and position yourself just right. I was tired of reading, especially because it all sounded like a load of hooey. Yes, I know there are some benefits to all those things I read, but lets go over some really important ones first. I knew that there were only a few absolute ways to look better in a photograph. Let’s go over a few of them.
Smile
Better photos will only happen when you truly let yourself be comfortable and smile. Naturally, smiling will brighten any photo. When people see the joy in your face, it will naturally make them smile as well. When you are uncomfortable and forcing something or trying to hide yourself, you look awkward. That doesn’t make for a great photo. Great photos are made from memories we created together. They are great when they capture the joy of the moment.
Let go of the “I have to look perfect”
Unless you’re a model and have many people surrounding you to make you look perfect and then have the photo editors to touch it up…it will not be perfect. Pictures do not have to be perfect…they need to be you…just you is all that matters. They need to show the moment you’re in just as you are. Look like you and own that you and your people don’t care about perfection.
No Perfect Place
Perfect settings and places to take photos are great. Setting that up for the once a year shoot that rarely goes as planned is great. Remember though that most of the best pictures are taken in the least perfect settings. Take pictures everywhere you go.
The picture below was a simple photo taken in our camper. Nothing special is happening on this day but this moment of our sweet pup sleeping with his favorite hedgehog will forever be captured and bring a smile to my face. You see he LOVES hedgehog toys. We go through at least two a month….I don’t know what I’ll do when they stop making them. We take a ton of Tucker photos, and you can see them on the Doghouse page of our blog. Capture the imperfect, funny, crazy moments that show your life with your people. Memories are created in so many places and the idea of pictures is to capture those memories. Start snapping everywhere!
Who Cares
I say that because, truly, the one who is focused the most on how imperfect you look is YOU. No one else really cares. They look at those photos and see their mom, their sister, brother, friend, etc. They don’t look and see what you need to change…they see their person, their family, and they smile at the memory. Your people will talk about the memory. They don’t critique you and if they do, that’s their issue and not yours.
Professional Photos
But do you have to have those professional photos? At some point you will, and I would suggest just a couple of things. Listen to all the things above….relax, smile, be you and let go of the expectations you have. Additionally, find a photographer you are comfortable with. The more comfortable you are with them, the more relaxed and natural you’ll be. Find someone who has some kind of portfolio you can look through to see how you like it. Get recommendations from friends and family for someone they love and trust. And then have fun and enjoy!
A Few Tips For The More Technical Stuff
- Light It Up, Right: Lighting is key! Seek out natural light whenever possible. The golden hour, just after sunrise or before sunset, bathes scenes in a warm glow. Embrace cloudy days too; they diffuse harsh shadows for a softer look.
- Embrace the Shadows (But Not Too Tightly): Shadows add depth and intrigue to your photos. Use them to frame your subject or create cool patterns. But avoid overpowering darkness.
- Rule the Thirds (Without a Ruler): Imagine dividing your screen into a tic-tac-toe grid. Position your subject along one of the lines or at an intersection point. This creates a balanced and visually pleasing composition.
- Leading Lines Lead the Eye: Our eyes naturally follow lines in a photo. Use leading lines, like a winding path or a row of trees, to draw the viewer’s eye into the image and towards your subject.
- Focus on What Matters (Literally): Tap the screen to set a focus point and ensure your main subject is crisp and clear.
- Aperture? We Can Do That (Sort Of): While most phone cameras don’t offer manual aperture control, you can achieve a similar effect with “portrait mode.” This creates a blurred background, making your subject pop.
- Get in There (Without Getting Lost): Don’t be afraid to zoom in with your feet! Getting close to your subject fills the frame and captures interesting details.
- Think Beyond Eye Level: Experiment with different angles. Crouch low for a dramatic perspective, or find a high vantage point for a stunning landscape shot.
- Editing Magic (But Not Too Much): Basic editing tools are your friends! Tweak the brightness, contrast, and crop to enhance your composition. Remember, subtlety is key. Avoid oversaturated colors and unrealistic edits.
Last thoughts
Bonus Tip….Most phone cameras offer a variety of shooting modes. Explore these to find hidden features that can elevate your photos, like panorama mode or slow-motion video.
Practice Makes Perfect (and Post-worthy). The more you shoot, the more comfortable you’ll become with your camera app. Experiment, have fun, and capture the world around you in a unique way.
Start Snapping
So stop looking for the perfect snap and start taking photos. Take them at home, at the park, your next adventure or anything that happens along the way. Time with your people is what you want to remember….not whether or not you looked perfect. Enjoy making memories and reminisce when you see the photos. Start snapping those photos today!
