Umm … excuse me… there’s a pole coming out of your head!

 Sunlight or Shade (Part 3): You’re taking an outdoor portrait and you found the best shade (see last week’s article). But … whoa! … what’s going on in your background?

Not the best location for your subject!

I didn’t know humans had antlers.  Taking a portrait outdoors is more than just about the person you are photographing.  It is also about the environment they are in.  Having a background that is distracting (light pole sticking out of their head, or a tree branch looking like an antler) will take the viewer’s eye away from your subject and onto the background.  You don’t want that!  The background behind your subject should bring focus to your subject, not take it away.

Your background is just as important as your subject, and should bring the focus in on your subject. - Image © Dana Attebery

Check the background.  So, once you have found the right shade for your portrait by using the palm of your hand (see my previous blog post “Portrait Lighting - Part 2), look past your palm to see what the background is like.  Remember, your background should bring emphasis to your subject.  This can be done either by:

a) using the background as a frame to draw the viewer’s eye inward toward the person or 

b) ensuring the background is not distracting, such as what happens when you intentionally make the background go out of focus. 

Move just a little bit.  If you find good shaded light by using your palm and see that the background is distracting, simply move your subject to the right or left within that shaded area, or do a very slight turn to the left or right to get a different, but less distracting background.  

In this image I moved the subject to the left to prevent the tree in the background from coming out of her head. By doing that, I was able to use the two trees to frame my subject and bring the focus and attention in on her. - Image © Dana Attebery

I’m taking questions for future blog content.  Email your questions about your camera or how to take better photos to  info@danaphotography.com.  I look forward to answering some viewer questions in upcoming blogs.  

Want to know more now and take better pictures this summer?  I provide 1-hour, customized 1-on-1 or small group training sessions.  I will customize the training to your photo and camera questions and help you become more creative and confident in taking your own pictures!  Invest in an hour… and enjoy the ongoing results!  Call or email for details and pricing.  

Dana Attebery Photography - serving you through portraits, headshots, product photography, commercial and editorial photography, 360-virtual tours, fine art images, and 1-on-1 lessons.

info@danaphotography.com     626-374-3638         danaphotography.com

The Case of the Uninvited Chin

Dilemma:   Ever seen a photo of yourself where an undesired extra chin showed up without being invited?  How do you minimize it without contemplating plastic surgery?  Click below to find out.

Adobe Stock

PHOTO TIPS FOR DIMINISHING A DOUBLE OR EXTRA “CHIN”

What’s Going On?

When we stand for a photo, we often automatically shift our weight onto our back foot and lean back a little.  This shifts our head angle and buries our chin into our neck which adds thickness to our chin/neck area - thus the double or extra “chin.”   

2 Simple Steps When Standing

First, simply shift your weight forward onto your front foot.  

Second, gently point your chin towards the camera.  (Gently is key. Don’t shove it out there.  That will just look…ahem… awkward.)  

Seated for the Photo?  

The same concept applies.  Don’t sit back into the chair where your chin will collapse into your neck and create extra chins,  Instead, sit on the front edge of the seat cushion, lean slightly forward and point your chin towards the camera. 

A Couple Extras for You 

Add a twist to it!  Whether seated or standing, slightly rotate your body away from the camera and turn your head toward the camera while you have your weight shifted forward.  

Chin up.  Lift your chin slightly, but not too much because again, that can look kind of awkward.  Remember, you want to come across relaxed and natural, not straining.

Voila! You have minimized the double or extra chin!

Now how about you?  Would you like an updated headshot or family/office portrait?  Call or email me to set up a portrait session today!   I can come to your location to save you and your staff time … all within Covid guidelines. 

Serving you through portraits, headshots, product photography, commercial and editorial photography, 360-virtual tours, fine art images, and 1-on-1 lessons. 

info@danaphotography.com     626-374-3638         danaphotography.com

Alora's Day

I had the pleasure this past week to photograph Alora for her senior portrait.  I must say she had fun at the variety of locations we shot at.

So When is the Best Time of Day to Photograph My Child?

It's been great photographing portraits of children for my client's, but sometimes what is the best time for the parent is not always the best time for the child.  I will always ask parents to plan their portrait after their nap and eating times.  That's when children are usually the happiest and adventurous.  Take a look at your child's daily behavior.  When are they the most lively, and when are they the most fussy.  As adults, we can adapt easily to anytime needed for a portrait, but for a child it is very different.  Whether if is is for a child's portrait, or a family portrait, try to plan the time schedule around the child's daily pattern for the best results.  Now, sometimes that might not be the best for beautiful late afternoon light, but there are times that you can prepare your very young child in advance for that time period by taking the outside at that time to be acquainted to it.

So, plan around your child's timeline and see what your child can tolerate ahead of time by doing something with them outside during the preferred time for your upcoming portrait.