Screee!
I’m so excited to be writing a guest post for my uber-talented
— and crazy-chic — friend, Abby!
I’m so excited to be writing a guest post for my uber-talented
— and crazy-chic — friend, Abby!
So, hi!
I guess I’ll start by introducing myself — I’m Heather!
I guess I’ll start by introducing myself — I’m Heather!
And I work — well, I guess I AM Heather B. Allison Photography. 🙂
A lifestyle family, wedding, engagement, couple, boudoir, fashion,
and glamour photographer based in Seattle.
A lifestyle family, wedding, engagement, couple, boudoir, fashion,
and glamour photographer based in Seattle.
I had the fab fortune to take family photos for Abby and her ridiculously good looking
family this summer, while they were spending time in the Seattle area,
and adored her immediately.
family this summer, while they were spending time in the Seattle area,
and adored her immediately.
We had such a blast goofing off on the beach —Â and I loved
capturing the wonderful closeness and affection between this sweet family,
and letting their fun and spunky personalities shine through.
(I mean, could you get any MORE personality than Savi & Boston?? Methinks not!)
capturing the wonderful closeness and affection between this sweet family,
and letting their fun and spunky personalities shine through.
(I mean, could you get any MORE personality than Savi & Boston?? Methinks not!)
What helps me capture those personalities, that love, those emotions,
that intimacy — in any of my photo shoots — is my somewhat irreverent approach.
I don’t really like following the ‘rules.’  🙂
that intimacy — in any of my photo shoots — is my somewhat irreverent approach.
I don’t really like following the ‘rules.’  🙂
And I thought I’d share some of my ‘rebellious’ photo tips
with you — Abby’s devoted readers! — to help you up the ante in your own, everyday photos.
So here are some ideas for you to really let the life, love, and light of your family,
friends, your dog, your weird neighbor — whomever! —
to really shine through.
with you — Abby’s devoted readers! — to help you up the ante in your own, everyday photos.
So here are some ideas for you to really let the life, love, and light of your family,
friends, your dog, your weird neighbor — whomever! —
to really shine through.
Enjoy!! 🙂
Have your subjects DO something, let them have fun, be silly, loosen up and be themselves.
Action is ALWAYS more fun to capture — and they’ll be having more fun, too!
Action is ALWAYS more fun to capture — and they’ll be having more fun, too!
Don’t be afraid to cut off the top of a head, the side of a face, or crop in super-tight — emotion and interest often lie in the tension of an image.
Don’t feel like you have to have people always mugging for your camera — sometimes the best shots come when they’re walking away!
Similarly, even just a glance off in the distance can bring out so much more natural personality in your subjects, and it almost always makes them more at ease.
Keep ’em laughing. (Tickling is always a good trick. 😉 )
I mean… do I even need to explain this one?
Of course funny faces are the most fun. 😉
Of course funny faces are the most fun. 😉
You’d be AMAZED at how much emotion and personality can be found in the small parts: the clasp of a hand, the turn of a foot, the turning-away of a cheek. Don’t forget the details.
Get in there. Get personal. Get all UP in their faces.
Intimacy is amaaaaaaazing.
Intimacy is amaaaaaaazing.
Get right in the middle of what’s going on, get on the level of the action, get up in their bidnez…
…and then stand back, let’em breathe, watch what unfolds when they feel like they have
a moment to themselves.
a moment to themselves.
Squat down and shoot up at your subjects for a change.
Or have them sit, lay, lean, or stand in unusual angles.
Don’t wait for the smiles, the looks at the camera — the magic is in the in-betweens.
It’s in the quiet moments.
It’s in the most seemingly-mundane moments, too.
And it doesn’t have to be perfect.
Be on the watch for interesting elements around you when you’re shooting — like reflections…
…and other things that make for really fun foregrounds.
And, honestly, if it’s just not happening — don’t force it.
You can sometimes get the most personality, the best stories, when they’re just kinda sick of you being in their face. 😉
You can sometimes get the most personality, the best stories, when they’re just kinda sick of you being in their face. 😉
These are great moments! I like your thoughts on what makes good photography. I was always one who dreaded standing in front of something to smile at the camera — there just isn't much life in those. But these candid shots, the unique angles, the lack of rigid posing. I can see the artistry, the thought. You are truly capturing a moment, and it shows. Beautiful work and great tips!