DIY photos add to the fun!
At some point we all have to shoot our own pictures beyond the snapshot phase. Avoiding the photography studio can be beneficial in ways besides saving money. When taking shots of your kids, familiarity with the subjects can definitely help to get the perfect picture. Outdoor shots require a few know-how tricks, and shooting in the rain can give some gorgeous photos. Another benefit of DIY shoots is creating your own stock images. If using stock image sites is something you regularly do, then creating your own stock photos saves both time and money.
Photo Shoots with Kids
Kids' play presents natural smile opportunities.
Keep your camera close, as you never know when a good photo opp will come along. Take a camera whenever you go places: the zoo, mall, city swimming pool and baseball practice can yield some memorable shots. Kick the "say cheese" habit, which gives fake grins, and get more natural smiles from pure laughter. Aim to shoot smiles during a child's natural moments at play or sports, and not posed versions. Become familiar with your camera beforehand, as children get disinterested if you seem unfamiliar with shoot.
Choose the right moment, not when the child is tired, hungry or upset. Don't stop a child's playful activity to pose for a shot; you'll get a more natural take when the child is finished or while doing the activity. Never force a picture on a child if they say no. There's always another time or day. Remember too that if the kid isn't yours, ask the child's parent for permission to take pictures, particularly if you plan to post the shot online or in advertising.
Rainy Day Shots
Umbrellas add color to rainy day shots.
Shooting outdoors can yield beautiful results, but challenging conditions. Rain can produce some gorgeous scenes even if your camera isn't water- or weatherproof. It's important to keep your camera lens dry while shooting, ideally by using a weatherproof camera bag or rain cover.
Look for awnings, porches and coverings for scenic spots, and incorporate umbrellas into the picture. Umbrellas work as nice compositional frames, so play with colored umbrellas to see what looks best within your scene.
Rain brings out amazing patterns, colors and shapes, all of which can create irresistible compositions. Water droplets and street reflections take on image distortions and glass-like dimensions to make beautiful pictures.
Taking Wedding Pictures
Keep wedding shots natural to capture the day's fun.
You don't need advanced camera equipment or remarkable skills to take wedding pictures, even of your own wedding. Whether shooting a friend's wedding or your own, the DIY route helps to capture the warmth, love and fun of the happy day. To ensure picture perfect shots of the special day, start preparing in advance. Get to know the camera and location details beforehand. Train your eye for good composition and practice taking photos a few months ahead at parties and outdoors. Get a feel for working with lighting and weather conditions. Browse the Internet and books for wedding pictures you like, and study good composition.
According to ShutterBug.com, wedding photography used to be pretty much the same, with standard before, during and after shots that were posed, perfectly lit and photographer-controlled. The less-controlled photojournalism style has replaced the old way. Following the wedding as it unfolds, without much posing or forced smiles, is the wedding journalism approach preferred nowadays. Allowing the wedding story to "happen," much like a news event, captures the day in pictures that relive the happiness for future moments.
DIY Stock Photos
Create your own stock images.
Good stock photography is pretty expensive, but the cheaper stuff can be quite bad. Going to stock photo sites and looking for the right picture takes too much time, plus drains your energy and finances. A better solution is to create your own stock images. While taking great photos is an art in itself, the skill can be polished through practice, with results that are worth the effort.
To avoid grainy images, flood the area with light. The more illumination you have on the subject, the greater the shot's clarity. To be sure the image is in focus use a tripod, or rest on a solid surface, especially with digital cameras. Set the camera at its highest setting; a high resolution image is easier to edit or re-size later. Of course you will need enough space for the shoots, so avoid cramped offices and clutter. Open cardboard boxes and a backdrop drape are essential. Use a bed sheet, tablecloth or plain fabric piece; just be absolutely sure it is clean. The cleaner and whiter the backdrop is, the better. This will prove to be easiest to work with afterward.
If using people in your photos, for e-learning courses or corporate images and such, think whether using real learners or employees would be helpful. It could build interest and give a natural feel to the shots. But try to be aware of any negative reputation or ethical fallout surrounding anyone in the shot, which could ruin its use potential.
Depending on the subject needs, consider hiring outside people to come in for a day's shooting, or ask friends to come over for causal business-like conversation for photo set-ups. Be sure to get signed releases, so all your bases are covered. If using children in your shots, get parent signatures on releases.
