Photo helps us remember our history, past, and current times.  Without them, we rely on foggy memories.

Image by George Eastman House
Accession Number: 1979:0330:0001

Maker: F.S. Crowell

Title: African American woman, studio portrait

Date: ca. 1895

Medium: albumen print

Dimensions: Image: 14 x 9.8 cm Mount: 16.4 x 10.6 cm

George Eastman House Collection

General information about the George Eastman House Photography Collection is available at http://www.eastmanhouse .org/inc/collections/photography .php.

If you have a children’s photography studio or just want to take better photographs of your kids, I have a few tricks that will allow you to get that beautiful shot every time.

As a Children’s Portrait Studio owner, I have learned a few techniques that work really well. You should try different tips and tricks until you find one that works for you and the child you’re photographing.

Here’s a list of 5 tips you can use in your photography studio or at home as soon as Today!

Tip #1 – The Penny Trick

For a child that won’t sit, place a penny on the spot you want them to sit. The key is to make it a game. Tell them that you want them to hide the penny so nobody else can see it. They usually laugh and think it’s funny. You get them to smile naturally and sit wherever you want them. It works really well.

It doesn’t have to be a penny. It can be a flower for a girl or a small car for a boy. It just needs to be small enough to sit on.

Tip #2 – The Bubble Chair

Place a chair on your background or wherever you want your subject and tell them it’s a special bubble chair. Explain that you’re going to blow a bubble and you want them to catch it. But…it only works if they’re on the special bubble chair. Once again, make it a game and the kid’s will play along.

You’ll need a helper to blow the bubble or bubbles. Usually a parent will help with this.

Tip #3 – The Tape Trick

In our studio, we usually always take shots of children looking down and not directly at the camera. One example would be a 9 month old child in our antique washtub theme. It’s a great shot and parents always love it.

But…how do you get a difficult child to do this? It’s simple. You apply a small piece of scotch tape to their finger or toe and they will automatically look at it or try and pull it off. You only need a few seconds to get the shot.

Tip #4 – I can’t See You Trick

Sometimes you’ll have a child that doesn’t like their picture taken and won’t look at you or the camera. This is common and don’t force them… it won’t work. Once again…we make it a game.

If you don’t have a helper, look through your camera and pretend like you can’t see them. Actually move your camera around like you’re trying to find them. Say their name and then say…oh there you are. Then once again say…I can’t find you, are you there, I can’t see you. This has worked really well for us and the parents are usually amazed by this technique. They can’t believe it works.

Tip #5 – Say Anything But Cheese Trick

You will always get a parent that says the words “Say Cheese” and wonder why the smile is forced and looks unnatural.

Make it fun for the kid’s and use other words or sayings that get them to laugh. Then…wait for the smile to come down and take the shot. You always want to let the smile relax when they’re laughing. Instruct the parents not to say cheese or smile. Most of the time it looks fake.

So, there you have it. Some easy and very effective techniques we’ve learned over the years that should work for you.

One last tip is to “Be Patient” and you’ll get the shots. Never show the child you’re getting stressed or frustrated. They’ll sense it and it will show in your shots.

Always have fun and the kids will too.

Benipayo Photography

San Jose  | Studio | Photography | Children

Contact: Michael at michael@benipayo.com

408-717-3670  — 415-763-7643

Scott Voelker is the creator of NewPortraitBiz. He has taught 1,000′s of students how to start a photography business. To receive his Free video lessons visithttp://newportraitbiz.com

Visit Scott’s Blog at http://newportraitbiz.com/blog for even more up to date Free lessons.

Most of the time the portrait consists of the immediate family between two and six people. Here are a few Digital Photography Tips to use when you shoot your next family photography session.

Tip #1 Make them Comfortable

It is difficult to get great expressions on faces when people are straining to maintain a certain pose. It’s important to make every effort to pose the family in a way that will give you the best opportunity to capture their best ‘side.’

Tip # 2 Watch your Composition

Part of the challenge of family portraits is to compose your shot in a way that will draw the viewer into and around the photograph in a pleasing way. Pose family members in triangles. The natural flow of the portrait will then allow the viewer to see each family member in an easy and progressive manner.

Tip # 3 Using Props

Using a big wing-backed chair with mom or dad sitting in the chair and the rest of the family members posed around it always makes a great shot. Using park benches, trees, rocks, fireplaces, stools and even the ground or floor are all good ideas to help you capture that unique shot. Don’t be afraid to use your imagination and creativity!

Tip # 4 Dressing Similar

This should be discussed before the family shoot is to take place. It will save you a lot of headache if all the family members are dressed in complimenting styles and colors. Strips, polka dots, clashing colors and printed clothing can give you a disconcerting and uneasy feel to a photo. We want to produce a photo that will convey the harmony and love between family members and draw the viewer to the faces; not be distracted by clothing that is outlandish or clashing.

Tip # 5 Watch the Lighting

If you are shooting in a studio, make sure you have your lights set up to enable every person’s face to be clearly seen. Although shadows can add intensity and interest, make sure it is balanced properly. Taking family photos outside can present a whole new set of challenges.

Shooting at the golden hour of the day (one hour before the sun goes down) is an option that will give you wonderful lighting conditions. Once again, it is of prime importance that all family member’s faces can be clearly seen.

Taking family portraits can present some very interesting challenges. You, as the photographer, have the opportunity to capture the very character and intimacy of the family unit. It takes work and practice to create a stunning portrait that will become a family memory for years to come.

Benipayo Photography

San Jose  | Studio | Photography | Children

Contact: Michael at michael@benipayo.com

408-717-3670  — 415-763-7643

Scott Voelker is the creator of NewPortraitBiz. He has taught 1,000′s of students how to start a photography business. To receive his Free video lessons visithttp://newportraitbiz.com

Visit Scott’s Blog at http://newportraitbiz.com/blog for even more up to date Free lessons.

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san jose family photographers

With so many types of lights and the infinite number of setup combinations, studio lighting could be the subject of a book. And in fact, there are several books dedicated to this specific topic. However, if you’re interested in investing in some studio lighting equipment, there are a few basic things that every photographer should know. With a good set of basic lighting tools, you should be able to shoot in most types of situations and subjects. Here is a run down on the most common types of studio lighting.

Continuous Lighting

These are the sorts of lights you may associate with movie production. Continuous light refers to light that is constantly on compared to a flash that goes on and off. Though this method can generate quite a bit of heat and definitely uses more power, it is a great way to work subtle lighting situations. Since you can see the way your lights interact before you shoot, you will have a good idea of what the photograph will look like beforehand.

You can pick up a simple kit for continuous lighting online for a pretty reasonable price.Most photo stores on the web have a section dedicated to studio lighting equipment, so from there it’s mostly an issue of what you’re willing to spend. Look for a flash kit that has light stands, light fixtures, bulbs and a reflective umbrella. Continuous light can be provided by halogen, fluorescent and tungsten light bulbs. There is no one “better” bulb as your taste and tone will dictate your choice.

Studio Flash

As you may have guessed, this bracket of studio lighting equipment is dedicated to setups that utilize a flash (often seen in fashion shoots). With flash setups requiring low amounts of power and generating even less heat, they are usually the best option when shooting human subjects for extended periods of time. Flashes are available in either moonlights or flash systems – moonlights require only syncing to the camera while power-pack based flash systems will have a central power point to which all the flash heads connect.

Like continuous lighting, there are lots of flash kits available to choose from. Be sure they have lighting stands, umbrellas, modeling lamps (these allow you to preview your lighting) and the sync cords required to ensure your flashes fire at the right time. The easiest flash to use are flashes with sensors as they fire with your camera but they are more expensive.

It’s worth noting that combining these two studio lighting methods is one of your strongest options. This will help you have lots of flexibility in your shooting so you will be up to the task no matter what comes your way. With basic kits starting as low as $50, you should be able to get some pretty decent studio lighting equipment setup with a low initial investment.

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San Jose Photographer – Benipayo Photography

If you are interested having your photos professionally shot -

Contact: Michael at michael@benipayo.com

408-717-3670     415-763-7643

sunnyvale photographers

Autumn Lockwood is a writer for Your Picture Frames and loves picture frames. Shop online and see our selection of metal panoramic picture frames now. Visit our website or call us at 1-800-780-0699

Make Me Beautiful Retouching

Naperville, IL (PRWEB) July 11, 2010

By Lawrence Photography is going International the company is expanding it’s Boudoir photography from the Chicago area to include New York, Las Vegas, Miami, Tampa, West Palm Beach, Lake City. Fl., Orlando, Fl., Dallas, Houston, Stamford Connecticut, Spartanburg South Carolina, Canton, Ohio, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Phoenix Az, Vancouver Canada, Playas de Rosarito Mexico, and appending more every week.

By Lawrence Photography gets so many calls from woman all across the country and even places as far away as Australia that he personally reexamined the work of 100’s of photographers and has selected the best of the best in cities from coast to coast, so there is an extraordinary photographer in a city near you, and Lawrence will personally retouch each portrait.

Each photographer working with the By Lawrence Photography uses company guidelines to create the session a client would expect form an Internationally celebrated Boudoir photographer, but don’t worry each of his photographers is a professional artist and will work to bring the clients vision in concert with their own creativity to make the boudoir session fun, sensual and amazing. If Lawrence is not fulfilled with the work from any session he will schedule a second session and wing to the clients location and pip it himself

All of By Lawrence packages include the following services:

    Pre-shoot consultation and chat, phone or email     Professional makeup and hair styling     Professional retouched portraits     His unique style of “Make me beautiful” to create Digital Perfection.     Choose from color, black & white or sepia tone at no extra charge.     No limit on number of photos taken     Lots of constructive posturing. Approximately 2-3 poses per 50 exposures.     As many sets/costumes as accomplishable in the time     CD/DVD of all images created while you hold off or (U) off to you     Access to all your pictures online via our unique web proofing gallery     Quick turnaround on e(U) off proofs, usually within 2-5 business days of order     No borderline print or file orders.     Delivery methods eminent quality lab prints, CD/DVD The choice is entirely yours.     Additional prints are easily accessible for purchase through your online gallery     All better credit cards, cash and checks accepted.     Unlimited usage rights admitted for all photography. After the boudoir photography session the photographer will give each client a CD with all the pictures so they can appear at them as soon as they get home. That night the boudoir photographer sends By Lawrence the images and he will load them in to the client’s secret password assisted Proofs database where she can view and order her prints, this takes between 3 to 5 days.

So every client receives the same cold “Make Me Beautiful Retouching”, Lawrence will personally retouch the portraits for every order and email the proofs so the client and Lawrence can make any changes before they go to print. This way the client and Lawrence stay in touch and the finished up portraits are perfect

The Chicago and Bolingbrook studio will go on to pip the Midwest sessions By Lawrence now has Photographers in New York, Las Vegas, Miami, Tampa, West Palm Beach, Lake City. Fl., Orlando, Fl., Dallas, Houston, Stamford, Connecticut, Spartanburg, South Carolina, Canton, Ohio, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Phoenix, Airz.., Vancouver, Canada, Playas de Rosarito Mexico, and appending more every week.

All of the boudoir sessions are planned through the By Lawrence Photography website order online or with Lawrence over the phone (630) 303-9920 this way each client can be assured the session and boudoir portraits are up to By Lawrence quality standards and so Lawrence can correspond clients with the proper boudoir photographer to create their vision

If you choose to pip with Lawrence he has created a studio in his Playas de Rosarito Mexico beach front house, he is only accepting a restricted number of sessions but you are always welcome to discontinue by or wing in for the weekend.

http://lwlarsenphoto.com
Lawrence Larsen
By Lawrence Photography
(630) 303-9920    

By Lawrence Photography

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