Woman's View of themselves in Portraits

Not too many women are fully confident when they are photographed.  Maybe they are worried their hips are too large, their face is too round, or they have not lost the “baby weight”.  During my consultations, I typically ask the question, “Is there anything anyone in the portrait is self conscious about?”  9 times out of 10 if there is an answer it relates to weight.  So this blog is totally for women and how will give some great pointers to making sure that when you are photographed, even if it is by Aunt Suzie at the Thanksgiving Dinner you are looking your slimmest.  Please understand that I fully embrace all body types and hope you do too, but there are not too many women that answer my question above with, “I am too thin”.  Most women’s bodies have some curves and curves are great…and showing them off in the right way can be very flattering.  Here are some basic don’ts:

• Horizontal Stripes-Stay away from horizontal stripe, they will only make you look wider
• Flat lighting-Often I see many styles of photography being shot with flat lighting.  Look at a portrait and look at someone’s face…there should be a light side and a shadow side…if the face is even toned all over or there is a lack of a shadow side…that is Flat light.  Flat lighting does not give the face dimension and only makes your face look wider.  In non-professional settings, this can occur from your camera flash directed straight at a person or sticking someone directly staring at the sun.
• Standing “square” to the camera.  If you are standing straight at the camera you are showing the “broadest” part of your body, this is typically unflattering and does not allow your “curves” to be seen.
• Not bending.  If your body part bends…then bend it.  Women’s most flattering pose is called the “S” curve in the industry….basically your body should be making an “S” from head to toe.  The head should be tilted, shoulders at uneven heights, arms bent (typically a little away from the body creating a space to see your waist) and a the wrists bent with the hands connected at a symmetrical places on the body (hip, leg, etc..), hips not square to the camera, knees slightly bent and the feet also not facing the camera, but often crossed is the best.

These are just some quick basics….so next time someone goes to snap a picture, you may remember a few of these pointers and actually feel good about your self in the picture.  If you are interested in learning more about the Basics, how to use your camera, and take better pictures of your kids, friends, etc….let me know.  We have had some many people ask us to host just a basic workshop…so we are considering doing just that at our studio on Amelia Island.  This would not be for people wanting to be photographers, or ones wanting to learn the newest action in photoshop, but for those that just want to learn what the green box means on your camera settings, when to use the setting with the woman’s head icon, where to put your child to photography them, and a little about posing.  It is likely that we would do this in January….let us know your thoughts…what you would want to learn….how much you would consider paying…..don’t be shy.