Jan
26
Wardrobe can make or break your professional photo shoot. After choosing the right photographer, putting together wardrobe choices that compliment the image and convey a sense of harmony in your shots is one of the most important choices you can make. Setting up a photo shoot with a professional photographer is an investment. You want your shots to be the best they can be. Put some time and energy into choosing the best wardrobe.
When I book a photo shoot with a new client, I offer a very comprehensive consultation on choosing the right wardrobe. I speak with clients about the style of shots they need to promote themselves, and the wardrobe they’ll need to make sure their images really stand out. Once we’ve come up with a game plan, I send out a very detailed wardrobe consultation package. That wardrobe package will help guide them in taking an honest look at what’s in their closet while giving them time to borrow or buy a few simple looks that will take their images to a whole new professional level.
Here are some of the tips I give to my clients on making successful wardrobe choices:
Your personal style doesn’t necessary make for a good photo.
We all have our own personal style and way of expressing ourselves through wardrobe. Don’t confuse your style or color choices with what makes an excellent image.
Do some homework.
Watch how the professionals do it. There are some incredibly talented wardrobe stylists already doing what you’re trying to do with your wardrobe. Look through magazines; start paying attention to TV commercials, Movies, advertisements. Unless it’s a rich period drama or a fashion spread, wardrobe stylists understand how to dress actors and models for camera. They know how to make sure nothing in the wardrobe pulls focus away from the action, the drama or the actors/models. Even T-shirts that are visible under wardrobe are carefully chosen to blend with the outfit. You’ll rarely see a white T-shirt under a dress shirt unless it’s character specific. More than likely, you’ll see beige, blue, grey; this makes sure that a pop of white doesn’t draw focus. The same rule applies to your shots. You want to make sure nothing in your wardrobe will pull the eye away from what’s most important – YOU.
Solid rich and subtle colors
You may love paisley or pastels, leopard prints, stripes, bright reds or solid blacks. But these prints, patterns and colors pull the eye away and distract the viewer from you. Stick to solid colors. You can layer your outfits but the color pallet should be subtle changes and compliment each other.
Successful colors
We all have different skin types. It’s important to know what types of colors look best on you. Myself, I have more of a ruddy complexion so cooler colors are better for me. What ever your skin colors, there are a ton of subtle shades of that pallet that will look amazing on camera. If you look great in blue, go for a darker earthy blue rather than a bright baby blue. If you look great in green, choose something darker and subtle rather than neon lime green. If you like reds; then choose a darky dusty burgundy, instead of tomato red. This isn’t to say that you don’t look amazing in those big bold colors, but we’re choosing colors that will keep the eye where it belongs -On you.
Pick complete looks
Finally, if when you’re putting together wardrobe choices, lay them out so you can see them together. Pick complete looks, including t-shirts, belts, pants, shoes and jewelry. Keep your jewelry choices simple; nothing to big and bold that distracts. Make sure you feel good about each look; that the clothes fit well and are pressed and cleaned.
So remember – your personal style is amazing, but chose colors, wardrobe and jewelry that will look best for camera. It will take your shots to a professional level.
Aug
25
Never has the photo world been so friendly to amateur photographers than it is now. With the advent of social media platforms, like Instagram where you have access to creative tools and filters, the amateur photographer can even turn the mistakes or mishaps into something interesting. If Black and White photography is your passion, you can create some amazing images with just a few tips.
All of these images were shot with and iPhone 5 and iPhone 6.
- Contrast is a good thing.
There are times during the day where the bright sun makes it next to impossible to capture the image you want. Those days can be productive if you begin to look at your surroundings like a black and white movie. For cityscapes or landscapes; look at shadows, clouds and contrast. You may not have the light for nice family portraits but that sun will give you all kinds of gifts if you look for them.
- Drop your exposure
When you convert photos to black and white, the ‘whites’ can easily get blown out if you exposed your image for color. If you plan on shooting in black and white try dropping your exposure a bit so the whites (like clouds) retain their texture.
To find out how to adjust the exposure in your iPhone camera, check out last month’s series on getting the most out of your iPhone.
- Flat and cloudy days can make for interesting black and white shots.
We’ve all gone out to shoot only to find the light isn’t cooperating. On days like those, begin to imagine what your black and white shots might look like. Play with interesting angles, composures and perspectives.
- Use black and white to create drama.
Sometimes you’ll come across a scenario when you’re shooting that might move you; there is a sense of emotion being conveyed. These images can be the most impactful when they’re shot for black and white. The absence of color can remove the distractions bring the viewer right into the scene.
