Passion for Photography 10 Tips

1. Simple window photo
First I will explain some simple props to use that you may have lying around the house. First get your model or child to go outside in front of a window on a sunny day while you stay inside. Position yourself at an angle in front of the window. Let your model stand to the side, nearly in the center of the window. Snap your photograph without the flash to keep the flash from showing up as a reflection. There you are, you now have a wonderful photograph.

2. Halloween photo
Get camera viewfinder straight in front of the model and props. Make sure the sun is behind you. The best time to shoot is before 10am and after 4pm when the sun is not so harsh. There you are a great Halloween picture. Buy a large pumpkin and some hay. Set the hay in your yard where you can see tree scenery behind where your model will be sitting on the hay bale. Position the pumpkin on the ground at the left or right side of the hay bale. Take a couple of shots.

A sample pumpkin picture


3. Lollipops and kids or adults
Take a red lollipop. Red looks better in my opinion. Have the model smile and look at the lollipop as if she/he is about to take a lick. Don’t have your model looking directly into the camera. A red shirt on the model will enhance the color of the lollipop. If you have a backdrop use a white drop, you can even put up a white sheet on a clothes line or wall using tacks. This picture should turn out looking professional.

Example of a lollipop picture below


4. Face shot with flowers
Go to a store or flower shop and buy some inexpensive flowers. Live or fake ones will work. Pinch the flowers off the stem on a few of them. Put some of the pinched off flowers around the model. Lay a backdrop or sheet down any color that will match the flowers is fine. Have your model lay on the sheet or
backdrop. If you have a girl which this looks better with a girl have her hair flowing in back of her while lying down. Take the shot with the model in the view finder from right below the neck to a little past where the hair is flowing. You now have a great head shot.

5. Peeking thru flowers
This is one of my favorite types of shots. Take a backdrop or sheet. White I think looks the best or black. Tack it up behind the model or on a backdrop system. You can find a backdrop stand that is not expensive on the internet for under $100 dollars. Have the model hold flowers that are on a stem. Have the girl spread the flowers in the middle and peek thru them. Have the girl from right about the belly button up in the view finder and shoot the picture. Remember to never shoot in the direct sun or make sure you have the sun behind you. This casts out shadows in your picture and will make the colors show up bright. You could always use poinsettias as the flower of choice for this photograph to make a Christmas picture.

Here is a sample peeking thru flowers picture


6. Simple Pillows shot
Gather up some pillows about 4 to 6 will work. These can be any color. You will probably have the small round or square pillows dressing up your bed. Take them and lay them down on a backdrop or sheet. In front of a bed on the floor will work great. Have your model lay on the ground on one of the pillows with the others lying around them in different positions. Pastel or bright colors look great. As you are standing look down at your model. Center the model in the viewfinder. Snap the picture or a couple. Always take a couple of pictures of the same shot so you know you will get a fantastic shot to pick from.

Here is a sample pillow shot


7. Leaning around a tree
Go outside on a partly cloudy day or in the shade by a big tree. Have your model stand behind the tree. Now have him/her peek around the tree while
they have an arm wrapped around on the side they are peeking from. Get a BIG smile and snap. A full shot of this is a great picture. A half body shot is nice also. Wearing a pretty dress or a nice shirt and tie for a male looks wonderful. If you can or have an apple tree in bloom this would make an awesome picture. If you have an apple, have the model hold the apple while leaning against the tree.

8. Loving pregnancy picture
Get a friend or relative that is expecting and ask them if you could do some pictures of them. In the sample picture I am using a pregnant mom and her
teenage daughter. Have the pregnant mom sit on the ground carefully and have the daughter lean and place her or his hands on the moms’ belly. If the
mom is not shy have her pull up her shirt modestly. Have both models look down at the mother’s belly. Take a couple of shots. When taking pictures like this I usually will get down on my knees so I am at the same level as the models. Sitting the models in pretty green grass will work too other than a backdrop. Pictures made without having the face in them can be works of art. There you go, you know have a mommy to be picture that will be cherished for always.

Sample loving pregnancy picture


9. Feet in water or puddle picture
Find a stream or a big clean puddle of water. Have your model wearing blue jeans and rolled up to right below the knees. Have your model barefoot. Have them stand in the puddle and as the rings in the water go outward snap a picture of the knees down. This is one of the coolest original pictures I have seen and shot. If your model has a tattoo on the ankle or leg be sure to snap the picture on the side that the tattoo is on.

10. Smelling a flower picture
Get a one stemmed rose or your favorite flower and have your model hold it as if smelling the flower. Have them looking down at the flower. Have your model stand sideways at an angle. Get the face and flower in the viewfinder from mid torso up. I would center the frame on the eyes. Snap a couple of pictures and Walla you have a fantastic piece of art!

I hope these tips will give you some ideas to start enjoying photography.