SKP PhotoTips: Be Prepared - Not Just for Boy Scouts

One of the things I most like to do is to photograph people doing their thing.  People act differently when they are aware that a lens is pointed at them.  While you may be able to get natural expressions, for the most part people will not allow you to see a less-than-perfect or a vulnerable side to them.  And it is often these moments that result in captivating photos, whether they are fun or thought-provoking.

Don't get me wrong - I'm not suggesting you become a creepy-stalker-type!  People don't like that too much either...  Simply be ready to catch the unexpected photo:  leave the camera turned on and the lens cap off.  And always put the lens cap in the same safe place to avoid losing it.  I've lost two over the past 20-something years and it's never a happy thing.


Using a zoom lens helps capture a genuinely candid moment.  You have the ability to distance yourself from the subject, yet crop in closely on them.  Here are a few examples of catching the subjects being themselves.  In each case, they were aware I was in the area with a camera, but they didn't realise they had my attention at that particular moment.

Father and son sharing a quiet moment during a hectic, fun-filled day.

Waiting while his family gets ready for the photo shoot.

Explaining something to Dad.

Beautiful, serene pose.  But what she's really thinking about is if she'll get some of that cake and ice cream.

Flour bomb fights.  No better time for a photographer to have a zoom lens!

Posed photos are important and will always have their place, but I especially enjoy photographing someone not on display - and then showing them how beautiful they are.

Photo Shoot - Alpharetta GA Family Photographer

We're back!  How was your Thanksgiving break?  My husband and I went out to New Mexico and Colorado to spend Thanksgiving with his family - we had a great time with lovely people.  I must point out that it was warmer and sunnier out there than it has been in Georgia the past couple of days...

Remember the photo shoot give away we had back in September?  (Click HERE)  We finally got together with the winner and had a whole load of fun getting some family photos.  Here are a few of the shots from their session.

SKP PhotoTips - Say "Cheese!" (Holiday Photos)

Over the past few days some of my clients have ordered Christmas cards using images from their photo shoots, making me realise it's coming up on that time of year - very quickly.  In two weeks' time, people all over the USA will be gathering with friends and family for Thanksgiving, with Christmas and other holiday season celebrations occurring around the world soon after.  What are you going to do to record this year's memories?  Here are a few tips for taking great group photos.

One of the hardest things you'll face when photographing groups is to make sure everyone has their eyes open and is looking at the camera.  I learned a simple trick from photographer Scott Kelby - ask the whole group to close their eyes and open them on your count: "3, 2, 1 - open!" and then wait one extra count before taking the shot.  It works like a charm!  The extra count allows the subjects to relax and avoids having wide-eyed, freaked-out-looking people in your photos.

If you are working with a large group, point out to them that if they can't see the lens of your camera, they won't be in the photo.  It's amazing how many people apparently forget this and suddenly start shuffling around to make sure they have a clear view of your lens.

In the northern hemisphere we'll likely be indoors for our holiday parties and odds are you'll need to use a flash.  Avoid using mirrors and windows as backdrops, unless you like the look of an all-encompassing reflection flare.  Built-in flashes seem to be designed to make everyone look like Casper the Friendly Ghost.  Simply fold a tissue and place it over the flash to soften the light, making your subjects look warmer and lessening harsh shadows.

Most cameras have a red-eye reduction feature, but you can help prevent this little nasty by adding as much light as you can to the room.  Turning on all the lights shrinks the subjects' pupils - and every little thing helps!

One last tip - smile and have fun!  If you're grumpy and getting frustrated, no-one will want to smile.  Give them a reason to be happy about looking at you.

Photo Shoot - Corporate

Recently I was contracted to take product photos for a client's website: The Wilkes Tradition - a meat market located in Suwanee, GA.  It was a fun shoot; the owners and staff are friendly and the store smelled divine.  Which was also a downside because my tummy rumbled the whole time!

If you're ever in the area, drop in to Wilkes of Suwanee.  They have a lunch menu that pulls a good crowd in and a large selection of fresh meats and dry/wet marinades.  If you're not local, check out their website for online ordering.

Here are a couple of images from their shoot:

Holiday Photos

Yup, it's coming up on that time of year again - already!  And for your Christmas or holiday season photos we now have greeting cards available.

Book your individual or family photo session now to make sure you get your greeting cards on time!  And watch this space for more information on our $5 Santa Event in December.

SKP PhotoTips - Focus on What's Important

What's the first thing you notice in the photo below?

Okay, apart from the huge big watermark splashed across the boy's face... (which, by the way is to protect the photo on my client's behalf - she already has everything she wants from the photo shoot).

Have you ever noticed that even animals will seek out your eyes when looking at you?  They have a natural instinct to look into another being's eyes; the same as we do.

When it comes to portrait photos, it's critical to have at least one eye in focus.  Just as it confuses the viewer when you don't give the photo a clear subject (click HERE for our discussion on that topic), if both of the subject's eyes are blurry, the photo becomes frustrating for the viewer.

In the photo above, the boy's right eye is out of focus due to the narrow Depth of Field (we'll talk about that in a future post), but his left eye is sharp, giving the viewer a clear focal point.  And it doesn't matter whether your subject is a little boy or a squirrel - if you're photographing the face, the eyes are all-important.