For an easy and yet fun look, I chose white paper lanterns up against an Oriental Maple Tree whose leaves are nearly all fallen off.



If your subject doesn't want to necessarily stand in front or near your prop... don't fight them (trust me on this one... it's no fun!) Instead, try and use your prop as a background blurred color or texture. In this case, it would have been more fun if the lanterns were a different color... but I just wanted to show you an example.

You can even try to shoot from above, and look down low... focus on the subject, or the prop... it'll make for a different shot...


Now lets try a different location...
Go from drab...

... to fab! I found some rogue tree branches, that I dug deep into the ground, and created a fun little banner... that I think will go with most of the colors that everyone is wearing. It adds a little pop to a dreary area.

and then just have FUN with it... staged poses don't always work out... in fact, most of the time, they don't. While some of you might like that... really, what are the odds that you're going to catch your subject with their "natural" smile, not blinking, etc if they're posed. Posed=odd... go for the natural... it's usually the one that tells a story...




Sometimes it's all about just a simple prop, and the right angle... remember, it doesn't always have to have a "smiling" face in order for it to be an interesting picture...

in fact, it's usually the ones that don't, that turn out to be some of the best.


I love them all especially the last one with that adorable skirt and apron. ~CB
ReplyDeleteHaha I need to show this post to my husband. He thinks all pictures need to be smiley! So silly! :)
ReplyDeleteoh my goodness!! I love all these photos! I like all the different angles + the different backdrops!! Stunning!
ReplyDeleteI recently stumbled across your blog, and I'm in love! I really enjoyed this post as well! I am your newest follower :)
ReplyDelete