In this age with digital photography, digital manipulation and even digital delivery of the finished product, the need to use a professional photographer* almost disappears. However the need for professional-looking photographs is still important to your overall success. The more I view photos for publicity and CD covers, the more it is obvious that point-and-shoot cameras can't replace knowledge.
Whether you are the subject of your own publicity shots, or you are the camera operator helping out a friend, here are some things you should know to help you get the best professional-looking pictures possible. Even if you're trying the self-timer function of your camera, these tips should help. These were compiled from working with several professional photographers over the years and my own experiences. They apply to anyone; artists, authors, disc jockeys, speakers and anyone needing a professional photo for publicity - including those who may only want to post a portrait shot on a social media site like Facebook or LinkedIn.com.
CLICK HERE FOR TIPS ON HOW TO DO-IT-YOURSELF
1) Chose your background!
It should be complimentary to your personal look (including your outfit) and your theme (artists have things like musical instruments, others may or may not have some sort of prop). If your theme is say, music, taking your professional picture in front of a child's playground just doesn't fit. Your background should not be so busy as to interfere with the foreground (you).
2) Keep the background in the back!
Never stand flat against a wall - unless you're going for a Post Office Most-Wanted Look. If you choose a wall for your background there are two things you really need to do. First stand at least 6 feet away from the wall. This creates a difference between background and foreground and gives your picture some dimension. Next, set yourself and the camera at an angle to the wall. This will give you even more dimension as the distance from one side of the wall will be a lot closer to the camera than the other side of the wall. If you find that you cannot stand far enough away from the wall, you're best bet is to choose another location. If that is still impossible, the second thing, putting the camera on an angle to the wall, will certainly help to avoid the "mug-shot" look.
3) Never face the camera squarely!
Positioning your body at about 45 degrees to the camera and then turning your head and face back to the lens will give you a better look. This is where the term "good side" comes from. Show your good side to the camera.
4) Close Up vs. Close to the Camera!
Unless you want to look like how you look in those round spot mirrors on your vehicle, get some distance between you and the camera. Zoom lenses can be your friend when it comes to great face shots. Professional models know that the farther away the camera is, the better they'll look. Sometimes the camera is so far away, they use walkie talkies to communicate.
5) Group Shots!
If two is company and three is a crowd, then four is a police line-up. Why is it that anytime a group of people want a photo together, someone shouts "everybody line up here"? Remember it's not a police line-up, it's a photograph. No one's really in a hurry but everyone thinks they have to shoot a quick picture and get back to ...what? ... chit-chat, cocktails...who knows. Take the time to put people in position. Arrangements of subjects in the photograph are just as important as flowers in a vase. Would you pay $50. for a bunch of oddball flowers thrown into a tin can? No, and no one wants to see a picture with everyone lined up against a wall either. Get folks arranged according to a plan. Musical groups, family groups, it doesn't matter! Just don't let them fall into the trap. Take some authority and suggest a few different poses. Some standing, some sitting, some kneeling, some in front of others....anything but a straight line. This can take some work. We've all been indoctrinated with grammar school instructions when the teacher said "Line Up". Now all it takes is one person to say "everybody line up here" and we all follow along like programed zombies. Speak up immediately before everyone assumes their position in line. Start moving people out of line. Get some chairs....before you know it, you'll have them forgetting about the line up.
6) Getting the look you want!
Once you've taken the time to pose several folks in a position that works well you get a lot of impatience from the subjects. You don't want this emotion to transmit into the picture. It's time to pull out a bit of your entertainer personality. Here's a trick that works well every time I use it. Once everyone is in position and I have the camera ready to go I ask every one to look down at their feet or the ground. I tell them when I say the word "Now" I want everyone to look up at the camera. Now they're all prepared to hear the word "Now" when I next speak. So the next word I speak is anything but "Now". I'll say "Christmas", "July"...anything. It doesn't matter what word I say, they're so prepared that everyone will look up and everyone will instantly realize their mistake and therefore have a fantastic surprised expression. That's when I snap the shot. You can do this a few times with the same group if you change the magic word. Play with the group a bit and tease them. Let 'em know you're fooling with them. Everyone has a good time and the pictures will show it.
Another trick is to tell everyone they need to have really glossy looking lips and you want everyone to take just a second before you shoot the picture to lick their lips real good. The instant they do, you shoot off a shot. That will get them all laughing out loud just thinking of what that shot will look like in print. Then you have a chance to shoot off some more quick ones with everyone laughing.
7) Don't be stingy with the shots!
Gee this is even better with digital photography since you don't have development and printing costs on everything you shoot. There is still an old-school mentality among amateur photographers to limit their shots. The laws of averages says you'll get a better finished product if you have more to choose from. Today's digital world even improves those odds to an almost guaranteed perfect shot. Say you shoot 10 shots of the same subject or group. None of the ten is just exactly what you want but with Photoshop® and other like products you can manipulate several shots into one just the way you want it.
Remember, If a picture is worth a thousand words, you can't type fast enough and your reader would never read (in type) all that a picture says. Some of the biggest booking agents have told me the "photo killed the deal". Last minute fill-ins are quite common in the entertainment world. Without a quality promo photo, the booking agent has nothing to use and no time to get a better one so they move on to another act.
Now go practice before you need to do it for yourself. Family holiday shots, office parties or anywhere folks are getting together is a good place to shoot off some practice shots. Happy shooting and may all your pictures turn out to be prize winners.
Source: Prescription Bluegrass Blog
*The use of a professional photographer is always recommended if you have a budget. You may be able to do it cheaper, but you loose the years of experience a professional brings to the job. Some photographers may be willing to barter your talents for theirs which really helps you to get the best even on a tight budget.
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