This can be done with or without using a Digital Background or Digital Prop when creating this portrait. The Holidays are the busiest time for most Photography Studios and some times we need creative ideas we can offer to our clients.

So…I wanted to share a new Digital Creation we recently created for our NPB Digital Creation Club.

But…the key here is that anyone can create this shot with stuff you probably already have in your own kitchen.

Here’s a list of items to create this shot

• Cookie Dough
• Rolling Pin
• Cookie Cutters (Holiday Ones)
• Flour for the table, face and nose
• Chef Hat (If You Have One)
• Apron or White Jacket

…and obviously you’ll need a table or counter to set the shot up and a background or backdrop.

Here’s the before shot we took knowing we were going to use it for  our Digital Background and Prop Set.

Before Shot

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Here’s the shot with the first Digital Background we created.

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Here’s the 2nd shot with a different Digital Background.

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And the 3rd Digital Background we used was a muslin style.

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Now…by using Digital Backgrounds I created 3 shots from 1 basic image with very little work.

So, like I said in the beginning of this post. You can use this same idea in your photography studio and create a Holiday Baking Theme as a new idea to show your clients or just have some fun with your own kids.

Now get out there and create this Awesome shot

If you want to save yourself time and use our Digital Creation or others like the one I showed you in this blog post…Click Here!

What we will focus on here is mostly the immediate family that usually consists of between two and six people. Here are a few Digital Photography Tips For Great Family Portraits to remember when working with families:

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 planning and practice to create a stunning portrait that will become a  treasured family memory for years to come.

Happy shooting!

In this article you will find 6 composition and framing tips to help you improve your photography skills  and create shots that are  more than just average.

Tip #1 Shoot Vertical

When shooting a human subject, your format will be vertical 99% of the time. This is what a photographer calls a  “Portrait”. If you shoot horizontally, it’s referred to as a “Landscape”.

Tip #2 Shoot Off Center

One thing that a lot of beginning photographers do is capture their subject exactly in the middle of the frame. There is no rule that says you have to place the subject in the center of the photograph.  Some  compositions can be more exciting and dramatic if the subject is framed off-center. It gives the image a sense of movement and leads the viewer into the photographer.

Tip # 3 Fill The Frame

Try to fill up the frame with the subject.  It is natural to show too much of the  surroundings by shooting too wide.  Very successful head shots can be produced when there is no space above the head or even with some of the head cropped off. This simple tip alone can make your ordinary photos look more professional and interesting.

Tip # 4 Using Your Subjects Eyes

The eyes are our most expressive feature. Try to keep the eyes in the upper third of the frame and not exactly in the center.  Very often the viewer of a photograph is drawn to the face and expressive eyes can make a very dramatic photograph.

Tip #5 Create Your Own Center

There should be only one center of interest when creating you images.  You may have several subjects in the photograph but you can still achieve this by having the subjects touching one another or overlapping.

Tip #6 – Learn What To Crop

Don’t crop off limbs at the joints.  For example, a photograph that is cropped at the elbow will look strange.  Cropping at the forearm or bicep area will give a more natural look.

Final Thoughts:

Use these simple Digital photography Tips to help you improve your composition and framing. Practice often and learn from every shot you take and soon you will be shooting like a professional.

As always…leave you comments below. We would love to hear from you

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 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.

Happy Shooting!