My style is my own! My clients are looking for something fresh, stylish and more contemporary than what many “traditional” photographers offer. Here are things you may notice, things that are different from what you may be accustomed to:
- Tight Crops—Super close close-ups where often the face fills most of the frame of the image, images all about the eyes. Often the top of the head is not included in the image. I meant to do that!
- Not-So-Smiley—Have you been brought up to believe that a smile is a requirement to make a great photo? This is not true. I love a pensive look as much as a big grin. I meant to do that!
- Let’s Be Negative—A subject placed off to the side of an image and the rest of the image is empty is called Negative Space. This is done for artistic impact. I meant to do that!
- Left of Center—Smack dab in the middle of a photograph is the most boring position for a subject to be in. I know—not what you always thought, right? As a photographer, I often employ a design rule called the Rule of Thirds. It is used to enhance visual interest.
- The rule states that an image can be divided into nine equal parts by two equally spaced horizontal lines and two equally spaced vertical lines (like a tic-tac-toe board). The four points formed by the intersections of these lines can be used to align features in the photograph.
- Aligning a photograph with these points creates more tension, energy and interest in the photo.Your child does not need to be right in the center of an image for it to be a good portrait. I meant to do that!
- The Light in the Eyes—Good lighting is the hallmark of good portrait photography. It is called a “catchlight”—a reflection of light in the eyes. I love catchlights. I purposely position my subject for the best catchlights, especially in close-ups. Flip through any parenting or glamour magazine and look at the eyes. What do you see? Big bright catchlights. A lack of catchlights leaves the eyes looking flat, dull and lifeless. I meant to do that!
Blair Blanks gets the credit for the wording above. Thank you for making it easy to describe some of the things I meant to do!
