Snap to It! (Part II)

Ok, shutterbugs, I’m back with more photo tips! Hopefully you had some time to grab your camera and snap a few pics after my last . The weather has been great – sunny and often unseasonably warm – so you have no excuse not to go outside and shoot away.

Find a great location

While your home might seem like the most obvious place for your photos, especially if you have an infant or small child, it can also be very distracting. The phone, the computer and the television are probably more interesting to your kids than taking pictures, so let’s take those things out of the equation. Consider going outside in the yard or to a favorite place, like a park or a playground, and let the kids loose. Some of my favorite spots are the Piney Orchard Community Center for the bridges, the Gambrills Dairy Farm for the fences and barns, and the Crofton Village Green for the brick walls and wrought iron railings.

Follow the light

One hour after sunrise and one hour before sunset are the best time for pictures. Try to avoid shooting at noon when the sun is directly overhead. It can be harsh and cause everyone to squint and look like they have “raccoon eyes” because of the shadows. Look for what photographers call “open shade” which can be found in front of large buildings, under a favorite old tree, or even out in the open on an overcast day. Don’t confuse “open shade” with shadows. Unless you’re going for “artsy” you probably don’t want dappled sunlight which can cast odd shadows on your subjects.

What to Wear

The most common question I get asked as a photographer is “What should we wear for our pictures?” This is a great question because clothes (like location and light) and can often make or break a great photo. I always tell my clients that they should to wear something comfortable. Clothes that are too tight or too itchy or too poofy are not comfortable. The clothes you wear in your photos should reflect your style and not someone else’s. Coordinating patterns or complementary colors work great together. Gone are the days of wearing “matchy-matchy” outfits. If you show up at a session with me and everyone is wearing khaki pants and blue chambray shirts, I will send you home to change.

No matter what kind of camera you have, you can take great pictures. It just takes practice. Oh, and read your manual –there’s lots of great stuff in there to help you get to know your camera. Feel free to send me any specific questions you may have, and I’ll do my best to answer them. You can see my work and contact me via my website at www.meganevansphotography.com.