CONFIDENCE.

What’s the most frequent comment my clients make?

“I HATE having my photo taken…”

This is a difficult frame of mind to adjust. Approaching your photo shoot with lack of confidence, discomfort, or just plain ole HATE for the process at hand, will 100% affect your final photographs. As we all know, how you feel impacts how you look. As adults, over time we loose confidence as our society (mostly through marketing) tells us to look a certain way. My hair is too frizzy, my legs are too chubby, my forehead-vein is too noticeable… we could all think we have a thousand things wrong with us, but guess what? You are the only one that notices. With confidence, all those little worries disappear.

There are a couple things you can do to boost your confidence:

PRACTICE

Practice makes perfect. You can practice posing by looking in the mirror, and trying some pose suggestions mentioned in Tip #1 – The SMILE & Head Positioning and Tip #2 – Body Positioning.

WARMING UP

Sometimes it’s about warming up to the camera. Invite a friend to go on a photo adventure, and take photos of each other. Critique them and try to improve your portraits with each attempt. Working with another person would be ideal for warming up… but you could also default to taking some selfies. (The reason I wouldn’t recommend selfies for warm up and/or practice is 1. the perspective is too close and 2. you need practice working with someone else looking at you through the lens.)

PHONE A FRIEND

Are you not sure what to wear to your photo shoot? Phone a friend! Ask for their advice, and have an in-home fashion show. Or, if you need something new, go on a shopping adventure together to hunt down your new piece for the upcoming shoot.

TRIAL RUN

Are you planning to do your hair or makeup different than your daily getup? Then do a trial run before photo day to make sure you really like this new or exaggerated look.

Often times, the most difficult subjects are the ones that are tense about photo day and/or they think they have their best angle figured out. Try to release your tension, trust your photographer, and love this moment. Having your picture made is a very special moment and you have a professional right in front of you to help you shine. TRUST THEM.

This reminds me of a statement I made in the 8th article in this series, “Prepare Your Body & Mind”:

Give Yourself that LOVE Talk that you’ve needed FOR-like-EVER. 

We are way too hard on ourselves just about ALL THE TIME. Watch this video for some rewire-your-brain-training:

You are AWESOME. You are INTELLIGENT. You are BRAVE. You are WONDERFUL.

My advice in this series ends simply with this…

LET IT GO.

Let GO of all pre-conceived discomfort of having your photos taken.

Photos should be fun and empowering.

Enjoy this moment now, so that you can look back on your photos with gratitude.

The post LET IT GO!!! appeared first on Kelly Heck Photography.

Potential Client: *ring* *ring*

Kelly: “Hi, Kelly speaking…”

Potential Client: “Hi, I need a photographer!”

Kelly: “I’m your girl! I’d love to help. What kind of photography do you need?”

Potential Client: “A portrait.”

Now is the time where I get all excited and start asking questions…

1. What’s your portrait for?
2. How will your portrait be used?
   1. Online, or in print?
   2. Are you being published?
   3. Is it for advertising?
   4. Do you want to hang it on your wall at home?
   5. Is it for a social media profile photo, a dating profile, or a professional website?
3. What kind of feeling do you want to convey with your portrait?
4. Do you want to be photographed in a specific location, or on a backdrop?
   1. At a location, cool! Do you have a location in mind? If not, what kind of place are you looking for… light, open, edgy, dark??
      1. What time of day do you think would be best? (I usually answer this one. Photography is all about light.)
   2. A backdrop, nice! I have a few backdrops, but a million color options. What’s your favorite color?
5. What do you plan to wear?
6. Do you want to tell a story… and what story would that be?

Wow, that’s a lot of questions, right? But it’s good. Why?

The MORE you tell me upfront, the BETTER your final portrait will be.

I might be the pro, but that doesn’t mean you should leave all the creative decisions up to me. If I know exactly what you are going for, we can plan a more successful photo shoot by having the right resources available to us. That means the right location, the right time of day, the right clothing… and even the right inspirational photos collected (Pinterest for the win!) to help us convey the look and feel we are going for.

This is all PRE-PHOTOSHOOT conversation.

Let’s communicate at your photo shoot too.

I make a point of showing photos in-camera to my clients. Yeah, the screen is itty-bitty, but it’s something. We can scroll through multiple shots, and zoom in, to give you a quick glance at what we just captured. Then I ask…

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

HOW CAN WE MAKE IT BETTER?

DO YOU WANT TO CHANGE ANYTHING…

OR TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT?

READY TO MOVE ON TO THE NEXT SHOT?

I’m not asking you, as my subject, to make me cry or anything, but now is a time to be constructively honest. NOW, is when we can tweak and improve. Photoshop is not for FIXING, Photoshop is for ENHANCING. So my goal is to get things as best as we can in camera. Tell me (or your photographer) what you like, and what you don’t like, so that I (or they) have the opportunity to create better photographs for you.

Now the photo shoot is over.

But that big vein in your forehead is still haunting your nightmares.

Don’t be shy. Basic retouching typically includes softening wrinkles, shadows, and stray hairs, for example. So if you hate that vein in your forehead, please be sure to tell me (or your photographer)… or that you have a chipped tooth that you’d like fixed, or that that birthmark is actually a scar, and you want it removed (or that birthmark is something you don’t like, and you want that removed too). Telling your photographer certain features or tics you have ahead of time can help improve your photos in camera, but it’s vital to know for post processing. If your photographer doesn’t know to retouch something… unique… they likely won’t touch it.

Communicate Your Goals…

To plan a better photo shoot…

To improve your photos on photo day…

To help your photographer plan for post processing.

NEXT MONTH’S TOPIC:

LET IT GO!!!

The post Communicate Your Goals for a Successful Photo Shoot appeared first on Kelly Heck Photography.

Well that’s just what you need to do leading up to a photo shoot.

Pamper Time – You’re Welcome

Love, your PHOTOG.

THE WEEK BEFORE

1. Freshen up that HAIR. 

Touch up your roots, and consider a light trim. Trimming your ends can really perk up your hairdo without changing your look.

2. Whiten that SMILE. 

I’m not a big fan of teeth-whitening, but I also know there are a lot of ways you can go about it… see a professional, buy a product, or make your own.

3. Love on Your HANDS & TOES. 

Get a manicure or DIY those nails. Fresh paint, or no paint, we want your fingers looking glorious. Moisturize your cuticles and your hands, and then again.

THE NIGHT BEFORE

4. Pluck (don’t wax) those STRAY HAIRS.

I’m one of those lucky gals who has an eyebrow – that’s right guys, I’m confessing to the uno-brow. I pluck that middle-ground, and around. A cleaned up and defined brow-line looks fabulous, so make sure to clean yours up the night or two before depending on your skin sensitivity level. Guys, you can clean up that brow-line too… and the nose and ear hairs while you are at it.

5. Shave (or… wax… ouch!)

Freshly shave, whatever you typically shave. But if you are going the waxing route, make sure you give your skin more time than just overnight to heal.

6. Exfoliate. Then MOISTURIZE, Moisturize, & MOISTURIZE.

Exfoliate that bare skin. You can make your own exfoliant for your face (2 tbsp. sugar, 1 tbsp. coconut oil) and your body (the same as for your face, or you can go for something more coarse like Epsom salts). Pat that sexy body dry, and then grab the lotion. Legs, hands, arms face… moisturize everything. A moisturized face looks more radiant, (and for the ladies, it helps your make-up application go smoother). And when you are done moisturizing everything, moisturize your hands again… and bring that lotion with you tomorrow, because hands dry out quick!

7. Plan Your WARDROBE.

Pick out your clothing choices (multiple pieces are often recommended depending on your photo shoot needs), those cute shoes, and jewelry (polish your jewels!!) and other accessories.

Pick out your undergarments too, paying particular attention to three things… #1 – garments that will be well hidden, #2 – garments that will not leave lines or other indentations in skin that will be visible at some point, and #3 – garments that make you feel sexier.

Bring a nude or other color undershirt if your photo shoot will involve studio lights. A tank top, for example, can be a life saver in case any of your clothing choices react poorly to flash or studio strobes (I’ve had an embarrassing direct-flash “translucent top” experience… on someone else’s camera).

8. Glug… glug… glug… 

Have you been drinking enough water? Probably not. Make sure to have a full glass of water before bedtime (and no alcohol). Moisturizing from the inside out.

9. Get ALL that Sleep. 

Time to get some shut eye. Turn off the TV. Plug that cell phone in over there, not at your night stand. Read a book. Get to sleep early.

THE DAY OF

10. No PICKING!

Most every adult in the universe wakes up to a pimple the morning of a very important day. DON’T BE TEMPTED TO PICK AT IT!! First, it’s easier to cover up a pimple with make-up than a bleeding wound. Second, your photographer has this magical thing called Photoshop.

11. Leave LOADS of Spare Time.

For me, this is a HUGE tip. I get very anxious when I fear being late, or I can’t find where I’m going. Always give yourself plenty of time for delays… delays at home, and on the drive, especially if this is a whole family thing and not just about getting YOU from Point A to Point B.

12. Give Yourself that LOVE Talk that you’ve needed FOR-like-EVER. 

We are way too hard on ourselves just about ALL THE TIME. Watch this video for some rewire-your-brain-training:

You are AWESOME. You are INTELLIGENT. You are BRAVE. You are WONDERFUL.

What else can I say?

13. Sing-A-Long Time!

Listen to some fun tunes this morning, or on the car ride over… even during your photo shoot. The right music can get anyone in the mood for photo fun!

14. Pump some IRON.

Want those arms or legs to look just a bit more buff? Drop and give your photographer 10, or 20 (be careful to keep your attire, hair, and make-up in check). Your muscles will activate and appear more defined.

15. ROCK IT, 100%.

There’s no need to show up and tell your photographer that, “I hate having my picture taken.”. Throw that garbage thinking in the trash, and ROCK THAT SHOOT! The worst thing you can do is decide you don’t wanna. Enjoy this experience, learn from it, and let go a little. Sometimes, it’s all about trust, and that little bit of release can really show in your photos.

Is your head spinning?

This is your sweet check-list to keep in mind for that next photo shoot.

Questions? Please, ask below!

What’s vital to your pampering routine?

NEXT MONTH’S TOPIC:

Communicate Your Goals for a Successful Photo Shoot

The post 15 Tips to Prepare Your Body & Mind for Photo Day appeared first on Kelly Heck Photography.

At the end, we’ll also hear from the salon experts at Elements of Style Salon & Day Spa located in Eldersburg, MD.

Hair TIPS from a Photographer

DYE: Touch up your roots about a week before your photo session, giving your freshened color time to settle in.

TRIM: A quick trim can freshen your hair as well – I’m amazed how much frizz a few snips can take away. And for our gentlemen, don’t forget to arrive with a fresh shave, unless you are going for the 5-o’clock shadow look.

VOLUME: If you need more volume, they make products for that… but at your photo shoot you can throw your head upside down and gently tousle your hair for added volume, giving your hair life and movement as well (note that this volume will die down pretty quick, so you may need to do it more than once).

HOLD IT: Bring your favorite hairspray along. Don’t use too much hairspray – it’s tendency to make your hair stay in one place means we don’t have creative flexibility to change things up. You can bring a hair product with you to help with flyaways… whether it’s a hair spray or hair oil, use sparingly.

SHINE: Shiny hair looks healthy, matte hair looks dull. There are products for this, but you can DIY it too… sometimes it’s as simple as finding the right brush, or the temp of your shower water!

Makeup TIPS from a Photographer

The better base we have to work with, the the better the result! That means we need to take care of our skin and our hair… and our bodies in general! Exfoliate a day or two before… moisturize if your skin is dry… now you have a fresh canvas to work whatever magic you wish. (Don’t have anything to exfoliate with? You can make your own with ingredients in your kitchen: 2 tbsp Sugar + 1 tbsp Coconut Oil = DONE)

Who doesn’t love tips to LOOK YOUNGER?

Fountain-Of-Youth Makeup Tips:

EYES: Brighten the inner corners of your eyes. Put a light dusting of a white or pastel color – it will brighten your entire face which will make you appear fresh and well-rested.

PRIMER / FOUNDATION: Keep the foundation, if any, light (not light in color, light in application). Avoid varieties with built-in sunscreen, they do not work well with flash photography.

POWDER: Use powder sparingly, if at all (it can gunk up and make your skin look dry).

BRONZER: Flash photography can wash out your skin, so contouring is a great way to define your features by dusting on a little bronzer (under cheek bone / temples / under chin).

HIGHLIGHT: Highlighting (cheekbones and brow-line) adds a youthful luminosity.

BLUSH: A bit of color on the cheeks gives you a healthy flush. For blush, use a peachy (for fair to medium skin tones) or coral (for medium to dark skin tones) color. Avoid sparkly/shimmer products.

EYEBROWS: If your eyebrows are light or too thin, experiment with filling them in – they make brow mascara just for this. And if your eyebrow hairs are just a bit unorderly, there are eyebrow wax products to control them (and for the gents, moustache / beard wax for your other facial hairs).

EYE LASHES: Full, long lashes can be a better and more youthful focus than dark eye-shadow. Curl your lashes, and don’t be afraid to apply multiple layers of mascara. Add some liquid eyeliner to your upper lid to make your lashes appear thicker… and you can extend the outer edge of the lash line to make your eyes look bigger.

LIPS: Lip colors that are bright and soft, such as berry shades, are best to make your lips look plump, while dark and matte colors can make your lips appear thinner. You can use your finger to soften the lines of your lipstick application to soften. (You can also overdraw your lip line JUST A TINY BIT, but this hinges on dangerous territory!)

MATTE, NOT SHIMMER: Stick with matte products instead of shimmery/glittery finishes, which can make the skin look shiny and greasy on camera.

Hair & makeup are not my strengths… so I’ve sought out the experts at Elements of Style “EOS” Salon & Day Spa of Eldersburg, Maryland, for a few finishing tips to round out today’s article. EOS was recently named one of the Top 200 Best Salons in the nation by the 20th Annual Salon Today – WHOA, CONGRATS!!!

Meet Hair & Makeup Expert, Jake Kissel

The shape of your face is most important. Envision a ? DIAMOND ? as your face-shape guideline (everyone loves diamonds). This means you want to show off your cheekbones and your sparkling eyes. When contouring, you can also use different tones of foundation, using the darker shade under your cheekbone and lighter shade under your eye and top of cheekbone.

Stay away from glittery powders – especially with flash photography. When the flash goes off, the glittery/shimmery elements reflect the light, making your face into a beam of light. Instead, stick with more matte powders and natural colors.

At EOS, we love the Mirabella line of makeup products! And finish off your fresh look with Bulletproof Matte Setting spray to ensure your makeup last all day. This prevents oils from making your face look oily.

For your beautiful locks of hair, a great foundation in your blowout helps create the shape you want and also keeps your style lasting longer. This means to blow dry with mouse or a thickening powder from roots to tip, tapering down to the ends. This will achieve more stability and keep curls lasting longer. Your hair may look a bit exaggerated, but in photos it will look amazing! We recommend products such as Redken Guts & Redken Thickening Lotion andPureology Levitation Mist & Pureology Rootlift.

All the products mentioned here can be purchased at EOS! Stop by the salon at 1115 Liberty Road, Eldersburg, MD, or give us a call to ask if your favorite products are in stock: (410) 795-9465.

Below you can get a peak of their magnificent work (photographed by yours truly, with their incredible team’s help with hair, makeup, and styling).

Do you have unique tips for your hair or makeup?
Have any DIY tips or recipes to share?

NEXT MONTH’S TOPIC:

15 Tips to Prepare Your Body & Mind for Photo Day

The post Camera-Ready Hair & Makeup Tips appeared first on Kelly Heck Photography.

I see a goofy looking subject, holding a phone high, positioning it on a down angle… probably making pursed lips or some sort of goofy face, flashing a peace sign or other hand-gesture. This “pose” may seem cliché, but we can learn something from the “classic selfie” that many of us joke about.

Why do selfie-takers look up into the camera?

Looking up does three things…

1. it TIGHTENS: Looking up stretches and pulls the skin around your neck, chin, and face. It’s like an instant neck lift that helps define the jaw and lengthen the neck, giving space between your face and body.
2. it HIDES: Shooting a selfie on a down angle hides things. In looking up and tightening the skin, we reduce or eliminate the double chin (which lets face it, we all have a double chin). A down angle also puts your face first, and your face being the largest focus in the photo will overlay and minimize your body.
3. it LIGHTS: Looking up brings your face into the light, and better light makes better photos.

Woohoo!! THREE awesome things that the “classic selfie” pose can teach us to do RIGHT.

So how do we apply this knowledge?

How to apply TIGHTENING, HIDING, & LIGHTING in ALL of Your Portraits

TIGHTENING is all about good posture and/or twisting. You can turn your head and body separate of each other, whether you are looking up, forward, or down. And bonus – ANGLES are our friend not just because they HIDE through tightening, but angles are super flattering and add dimension to your figure!! Finally, you can find great light anywhere, you just need to know how to find beautiful light.

Here’s the main take-away… a great photo is not just about posing and composing the subject perfectly. It’s also about the position of the photographer in relation to the subject, to make a more pleasing image through angles and perspective.

What does the “Classic Selfie” teach us NOT to do?

PERSPECTIVE

Perspective is a big factor in flattering portraits. See the giphy to the right? This is a play on perspective… place your camera too closely to your face or body, and certain parts are bigger or smaller than they should be. See how big her nose is? And how her face falls off too much? But then as we back off to a more flattering perspective, her features are proportionate.

When taking a selfie, it’s hard to get the camera more than 3 feet away – we’re limited by the length of our arms, or if we are lucky, a selfie stick. Sometimes you will find, it’s better to hand the camera to a trusted friend to take the photo.

Cell phone cameras are made for a wide angle, so it’s not just about stepping back further, but about zooming in!

ANGLES

Shooting downward is not always best. Downward angles can definitely be flattering for seated positions, but shooting down on a subject shortens the figure. Downward angles can eliminate length, which is not flattering, especially if the subject is standing.

When shooting portraits, you’ll often see me positioned just below eye level for seated subjects, and squatting to about stomach or waist level for standing subjects. This gives an even perspective of the figure, while also enhancing the length of the subject, making them look taller and leaner.

Think about the feeling your angle will convey as well.. Photographing at your subject’s eye level creates a more intimate photo – you feel more connected, while looking up at a subject can make them appear more powerful.

BACKGROUND

Finally, I think that selfies teach us not to ignore our background. We’ve all seen OK-looking selfies that have either ugly backgrounds or revealing (aka: embarrassing) objects in the background. So, your angles and perspectives can allow you to move around and change it.

What’s YOUR Best Selfie Angle?

NEXT MONTH’S TOPIC:

Camera-Ready Hair & Makeup Tips

The post Tips for Flattering Positioning Between YOU and the Camera appeared first on Kelly Heck Photography.

I don’t know about you guys, but girls,
don’t you feel like this ALL THE TIME.

Picking out what to wear day-to-day is hard enough. Picking an outfit for a photo session can feel like you have to hunt down the absolute perfect outfit. But there are some tricks to help narrow down your closet, which is likely full of great choices!

TIP #1 – SELECT AN APPROPRIATE BASE.

Be conscious about your undergarments. Make sure to wear pieces that will be 100% hidden during your session. If you have a lighter blouse, make sure to pick a nude-colored undergarment to blend in with your skin tones. Inspect your final outfit closely, in a full length mirror. If you can see your undergarments (in highlight or shadow, or as bulkiness/texture) through your shirt and pants or dress, the camera will surely see it too.

TIP #2 – CHOOSE THE RIGHT FIT.

Embrace your shape – if you have learned what cuts frame your figure best, stick with them. If you are not sure, that’s OK. As the subject of a photograph, we want to see YOU. Form-fitting pieces that fit you correctly will do just that, for both men and women. For example, wear well fitted jeans instead of baggy jeans. For women, choose pieces that cinch at the waist to accentuate the female figure.

TIP #3 – THE THEME.

What is this photo shoot for? Narrow down your attire choices based on the theme – family, senor portraiture, business, springy, summery, fall? You want to look the part, so consider your casual vs. professional looks and how they play a part in the intended use of your photographs. If you want to style your look to the season, that’s fine as well, but avoid strong seasonal pieces that may affect the timelessness of your photo.

TIP #4 – LOOKING TIMELESS.

Ditch the trends. For a timeless look, keep your style simple. Avoid strong patterns, textures, and wild accessories (such as wedge heels and thick belts, or too many accessories in general). Instead, look for long lines, well-fitted and tailored pieces. When in doubt, solid neutrals or jewel tones are a very safe option.

Tip #5 – ACCESSORIES.

Consider easy layers & accessories. Layers allow for a quick and easy way to change your look, and accessories help to achieve the same thing. Accessories can be kept fairly simple, or light. Simplicity applies to accessories too. In other words, you could wear one chunky bracelet OR a few slender bracelets. Wear one large accessory, like a hat, a scarf, or a bag, but not all three. Wear bold earrings, but maybe not paired with a bold necklace as well.

TIP #6 – PAIRING WITH OTHERS.

When being photographed with others (a family photo session, for example), we need to work together harmoniously. Picking a flexible color pallet allows a grouping to match organically. What I means is picking a neutral or two, and a bright color or two, that can be mixed up among each individual’s outfits. For example, navy – white – caramel – grays – yellow is a color combination wide enough that almost anyone could find this outfit in their closet. Each individual personal doesn’t have to use ALL of the colors, but a combination of them. Going for a more organic look allows each person to show their personality, play with accessories, and introduce layers and textures and patterns.

TIP #7 – GOING SHOPPING?

Whether you are shopping new or thrift, be prepared. Have an idea what you are looking for before you walk into the store. If you are pairing this piece with another article of clothing or accessories, bring them with you. Bring your shoes. Wear the right undergarments. The last thing you want is to be unsure in the dressing room because you didn’t dress right for the part.

What are your Go-To timeless wardrobe pieces?

NEXT MONTH’S TOPIC:

Tips for Flattering Positioning Between YOU and the Camera

The post 7 Attire & Accessory Tips – What to Wear to Look Your Best appeared first on Kelly Heck Photography.

Photographers want their lovely subjects want to look their very best. Wondering what you to wear begins with what color pallet you plan to rock at your photo session. So what works and what doesn’t? It all depends on… EVERYTHING! The type of photo session, the location, the backdrop, your style, your skin tones, and whatever colors compliment you best. I’ll cover some general color rules and ideas, and then you can take your artistic liberty to follow or break the rules. Let’s dive in!

BLACK + WHITE

Black and white are both extremely contrasting. Black sometimes registers so dark compared to your skin and everything else in the frame, that it lacks detail or can appear “under exposed”. White is so bright, that it can wash out lighter skin tones, and is so bright compared to everything else, that it can also lack detail because it appears “over exposed”. Of course, photographers know how to avoid these issues, just know that Black & White are the extremes of contrast.

PASTELS

Pastels, like white, can wash out lighter skin tones in the wrong setting – pastels can register very brightly, making you look pale and gray. But a bright wardrobe in the right setting can also make your features pop, and soften your skin tones. For example, if you have medium/dark-toned hair and bold eyes, and your attire and the setting are bright and airy, the combination would be absolutely stunning, almost magical. Pastels would be most elegant for women, but men can rock it too, especially in a family multi-person setting.

I usually tell clients that whites and pastels are good as a highlight color, but not always as a main color. So judge your situation and decide with your photographer what look you are going for, because a full-on pastel wardrobe could be perfectly executed.

MID-TONES + NEUTRALS

Mid-tones and neutrals can be a wonderful because they pair easily with other colors. They are almost always in style… gray, beige, brown, navy, slated-colors, etc…. (black and white are also considered neutrals). Neutrals can also include metallic tones, such as gold, silver, copper, bronze, and pewter.

Because these colors are easy to build around, adding one or two bright pops of color almost always works. Neutrals are great for large pieces…  such as your pants and/or top or dress. You can even stick with neutrals for your accessories (like your shoes, belt, watch band, and jewelry) or flip-flop and make the accessories your bold colors.

JEWEL TONES + BOLD COLORS

Everyone can “ROCK” a jewel tone. (He he he, see what I did there? Rock, gemstone… ) EMERALD GREEN. BRIGHT PINK. AMETHYST PURPLE. TURQUOISE. RUBY RED. MAGENTA. SAPPHIRE BLUE. CITRINE YELLOW. SMOKY BROWN QUARTZ. Bold, full-saturation jewel tones make you look glowy and gorgeous. But beware, some bold colors, especially those that veer towards NEON levels, can give your complexion a sallow, unhealthy feel, so stick with mid-toned and darker-toned colors.

Combining Colors in Harmony

Finding colors that work harmoniously together is the next trick – talk to your photographer about what you plan to wear! And next month, we are going to talk all about wardrobe choices, so please stick around for more!

(And for you ladies, I don’t know about other photographers but I’m always saving beautiful pieces… scarves, skirts, dresses, fun layering pieces, and vests – my closet is your closet if you are looking for something special! I might be addicted to thrift shopping.)

What COLORS do YOU rock?

NEXT MONTH’S TOPIC:

7 Attire & Accessory Tips: What to Wear to Look Your Best

The post Picking Your Perfect Color Pallet appeared first on Kelly Heck Photography.

10 Rules of LIGHT

1.  The LARGER the light source, the softer the light.

2.  The CLOSER the light source, the softer the light.

3.  DIFFUSION scatters and broadens light (therefore, softer).

4.  BOUNCED light acts as diffusion (woohoo, more soft light!).

5.  Distance of light source changes it’s strength.

6.  Distance of light source from subject vs. background changes the contrast.

7.  Front lighting softens texture and depth. Angled light adds texture.

8.  Shadows create volume and shape.

9.  Back-lighting is highly diffused (sometimes good, sometimes not).

10.  Light has color, and that is measured in Kelvins or “Color Temperature”.

What LIGHT is best for portraiture?

Like always, general guidelines can be broken. But the best general light for portraiture is going to be directional light that is softened – so diffused or bounced light.

NATURAL LIGHT, OUTDOORS

What daylight is best for outdoor portraiture?

CLOUDY DAYS: Cloudy days can be a blessing in some cases, because you have the flexibility to use many locations at just about any time of day. But cloudy day light can also make photos a bit mushy because it’s not directional light.

SUNNY DAYS: On a sunny day, you will see from the harsh sunlight that there are also harsh shadows. This light, especially mid-day, is very difficult light to work with.

The light we are looking for is directional and soft, so that means a sunny day, but a shaded location in which you can use the bounce light from sunny areas of the setting. Have you noticed that when you walk through a tunnel, as you get closer to the end of the tunnel, you are bathed in more light? Well, that registers in camera… as more light falls on you, you become brighter and the background becomes darker, creating more contrast between you and the background. The same thing happens when you walk closer to the edge of a shaded area like from under a tree or a pavilion – as you bring yourself closer to the source of the directional light, the light source becomes stronger and also softer as you come closer.

What time of day is best for outdoor portraiture?

Sunrise or Sunset, hands down. There is no better time for portraiture than “Golden Hour” when shooting outdoors with natural light. Because the light has to travel through so many more particles in the air, it is super diffused and also adds a gorgeous warmth to your photographs. “Golden Hour” is the first hour of light after sunrise, and the last hour of light before sunset. This type of light is less contrasty, which helps to eliminate overly deep shadows and bright highlights. And, the low angle of the light also adds texture and depth to your scene. And a benefit you may not be thinking of… there are less people out and about at this time of day, especially sunrise – the sacrifice you make to get up early is 100% worth it. So if you want the location all to yourself, consider sunrise. Not sure when “Golden Hour” begins or ends? Ask your photographer, they’ll know.

NATURAL LIGHT, INDOORS

What daylight is best for indoor portraiture?

Whether it is a cloudy or sunny day, you can take a great portrait indoors by using a window or large glass door as your light source. As long as the light coming in the window is bounce light and not direct light, it will work wonderfully. Just be aware that back-lighting will affect your photograph indoors more strongly (so avoid a window behind you).

What time of day is best for indoor portraiture?

Just about any time of daytime will work, but mid day is going to be your brightest bounce light.

Studio Lighting

When the daylight just won’t cut it, or you’re going for a edgier look that requires more light control, that’s where studio lights come into play. Most consumers have a camera with “on-camera flash”. These are typically unflattering and uncreative because even though they can light your subject, they flatten everything. Professional photographers have the tools to set up and strictly control the light with studio strobes, in combination with natural light or without. It’s really fun to see how you can change the atmosphere and mood of an image by just adjusting your light angle, coverage, and diffusion.

Do you have any lighting tricks that work for you?
Please share your personal advice in the comments!

NEXT MONTH’S TOPIC:

Picking Your Perfect Color Pallet

The post Finding Beautiful Light ANYWHERE appeared first on Kelly Heck Photography.

The camera adds 10 pounds they say… I think it adds more like 30 pounds. Let’s figure out how to shave off some of that unwelcomed fake-weight.

THE TORSO.

Want to get a FREE, no-surgery-required tummy tuck? The “Torso Turn & Twist” is sure to shave off pounds! Face your whole body about 45 to 90 degrees away from the camera, then turn your shoulders back towards the camera.

This angle gives us a slight side-view of your tummy, while keeping your shoulders a little more square to the camera, giving an hourglass effect. And the twist tightens the torso!

Ladies, you can optionally sink your weight to your back leg to give your figure a feminine S-Curve, for the Gents, you can stay even-weighted or shift the weight a little (just don’t get too curvy). And, don’t forget that while you are doing all this head-to-toe stuff, you still need to apply the same Head Positioning techniques we talked about last month, which you can CLICK HERE to read. Oh, and it never hurts to suck in a little on the count of 3.

The Hands.

Not sure what to do with your hands? The worst thing you can do is hold them in front of you. Sorry to get a little raw here, but it creates a bullseye right to your crotch. So let’s not do that.

Hand placement for the Ladies only first. One or both hands on hips looks lovely. If just one, it’s usually the front hand up, back arm hanging. Hand placement on the hip should be higher at your inner-most hour glass, not low on the hip bone, and pull your elbow back. Your hand will cinch your waist, helping you appear thinner, while your elbow back will help to slightly trim up your arm. And, don’t forget that little tummy tucking twist! Obviously you can do other hand positions, but this is a good starting point. If one or both arms are hanging down, place your hands on your legs, bend at the arm and cinch the elbows back ever so slightly (can I get more cowbell… I mean, hourglass?).

For men AND women…

Hands always look great in your pockets. Ladies, you look great with fingers out, thumbs in. Gents, you look great with fingers in, thumbs out. Pocket placement helps to relax your arms and give a more casual appearance overall.

Crossing the arms looks great too, and gives an “I’M IN CHARGE” sort of feel! Ladies, fingers out. Men, close your hands and use your knuckles behind your biceps to beef up your arms a little extra.

If you’re sitting, try asymmetrical posing. Lean in close, let the arms cross, either over a chair arm, or over your own knees. Ladies, you can bring one hand up to your neck or chin, and tilt your knuckles back towards you’re forearm. Gents, wrists straight, sometimes even a lightly closed fist looks great, and you can also cross arms, or prop one hand up on the back thigh if you’re sitting on steps or the edge of a short seat.

If your hands are going to be interlocked in front of you, or you are holding hands with a loved one, interlocking the fingers looks a bit odd. Instead, place one hand on top of the other or within the other. If it’s just you in the shot, ladies look great with hands resting on top of each other, men can do the same or you can wrap a light fist with the other palm. And if you are posing with a special someone, wrap your arm or arms around your sweetheart instead!

The Posture.

Some photo posing involves bad posture purposefully, but that’s usually just when seated, and I personally think it’s also just for the ladies. When standing, pristine posture is a MUST. Standing tall, always with a straight back, elongates the body and makes you appear more energetic.

Having trouble with your posture? Try squeezing your shoulder blades together, even visualize squeezing an orange between your shoulder blades. This technique will square your shoulders, lift your torso (lifting also tightens everything, ooo-la-laaa!), and elongates your body.

The Legs & Feet.

Ladies, when standing, you can be a bit more dainty than the guys. A little cross of your legs can be cute. You can also lift the weight off that front foot to touch the ball of your foot or tip of your toe to the ground. Positioning of your feet looks great when you bring your heels together, or if on your toe. bring your toe to your back heel.

For the Gents, I would suggest standing fairly straight, but you can also play with the cross leg as long as you have a little bend at the knee.

(Have mercy I’m going off topic… don’t bring tennis shoes to a photo shoot. We’ll talk more about shoes and other attire in a future tip.)

That BOOTY.

Girls! While you’re at it with the tummy-tucking and waist cinching, kick out that booty by exaggerating the curve of your lower back. Even more lovely S-Curve beauty and more tummy tightening. We love showing off lady-curves.

RECAP:

These are some guidelines to follow. There are obviously endless options for posing, but we can’t possibly remember them all in a fleeting moment as cameras get whipped out. Find yourself a full length mirror, and practice a few of these techniques, figure out what angles are best for you, and what side (left or right?) you like best as well!

Do you have any other tricks that work for you?
Please share your personal advice in the comments!

NEXT MONTH’S TOPIC:

Finding Beautiful Light ANYWHERE

The post It’s All About Angles – Body Positioning appeared first on Kelly Heck Photography.

Ah, the trick to getting that perfect smile, tilt, and twist – all great portraits start with the face and head. I don’t know what it is about photos of myself, but I’m really self-conscious and I delete (or “untag”) bunches of photos. Besides dead eyes and fake smiles, that sneaky chin or double-chin bubble (see examples 1 and 2 below) is what really gets me, even though I know what to do in photos. But knowing little posing tricks (see examples 3 and 4 below) has helped me enjoy being in photos so much more over the years. If these tips can give me that extra little boost of confidence, I’m certain they can do the same for you too!

The SMILE.

We don’t always have to smile for photos, but more often than not, it’s appropriate, and the last thing we want is to look like we are squealing “CHEEEEEESE” while clamping our teeth down. But there are some easy solutions!

I’m always asking my clients to giggle or give me a big laugh. When you genuinely smile (which you can get from a forced laugh), think about how your mouth and eyes react… your lips curl up on the edges, your teeth separate, and your eyes crinkle, or as Tyra Banks puts it, “SMIZE” (i.e. smile with your eyes).

Sometimes the laugh gets TOO big of a smile though, so that’s where the little giggle can come into play. But even so, some clients aren’t comfortable with forced laughter, so that’s where we try a different word. Who doesn’t love MONEY? Just thinking about having some can make you smile… saying “moneeeeeeyyy” gives a more genuine smile, because when you say “eeey”, all the important smile factors react perfectly.

Is your smile still feeling too tight? Try breathing through your mouth instead of your nose. I find that when I breathe through my nose, my jaw tightens and my teeth close together. When I breathe through my mouth, I leave some space. And taking a deep breath relaxes the whole body – BRILLIANT!

Sweet, we’ve got the smile down right? Now, let’s get your head position just right to go with that perfect grin…

Head Positioning.

When truly smiling or laughing – people tend to pull their face back and down, in towards the neck and chest… HOLY SMOKES – the dreaded double-chin. But we can fix this too!

Treat your face and chest as separate focal points – push your face forward and away from your body. You can do this by pretending you have a string attached to the the center of your forehead, and imagine that string pulling your face directly forward. It’s nearly a chicken bob feeling, and though you may look bizarre from the side, you’ll look the best in the group photo! When pushing your face forward, you become elongated, your face becomes thinner, and the stretch helps to hide any extra skin under your chin. Whether you are facing the camera straight on, or from a bit of an angle, you will push yourself directly towards the camera.

It is also flattering to turn your head slightly from the camera, instead of shooting straight on. Turning your head to the side slightly enhances the dimensions of your facial features. (A turn is bringing your chin from one side to the other.)

A tilt is sometimes flattering for women as well. (A tilt is pulling your ear down to one shoulder or the other.) Tilts are definitely a more feminine touch, however, so this tip is most definitely for the ladies. Ladies, what you will want to do is pull your chin into your shoulder (a combo of a turn and a tilt) while still pushing your front cheekbone towards the camera.

(We’ll talk more about head/face positioning in relation to the camera position in a later topic!)

RECAP | Go grab a mirror and practice these techniques:

• Practice a more genuine smile by:
  • laughing,
  • saying “money”,
  • and breathing through your mouth.
• Practice the position of your head in relation to your body by:
  • pulling your face forward, straight on,
  • and try it with a turn, pulling your cheekbone forward.
• Ladies, practice a tilt & turn, tucking in towards your shoulder, while still bringing your face forward. (Gents, why don’t you try it too, and just see how cute you look!)

Did you do it?? SUPER PROUD OF YOU!!

Now go see what beautiful self-portraits you can create!

Do you have any other tricks that work for you?
Please share your personal advice in the comments!

NEXT MONTH’S TOPIC:

It’s All About Angles – Body Positioning

The post It’s All About Angles – The SMILE & Head Positioning appeared first on Kelly Heck Photography.

This presentation started my first newsletter series, “How To Look Your Best In Photographs”, a series you can find here on my website.

I received such great feedback from this 5-minute presentation, that I wondered what the *heck* I had been waiting for. Let’s share!! Realizing today that I had not yet posted this Ignite Carroll 2017 video, my presentation on “Posing Dos & Don’ts: A Photographer’s Selfie Guide to Hiding 10-20 Pounds“, here it is… a bit late, but the tips never expire. Enjoy!!

What’s Ignite Carroll?

The IGNITE concept puts multiple speakers in front of a live audience.

With only 5 minutes to dazzle, speakers are limited to a power-point presentation that auto advances every 15 seconds.

Learn more at: https://carrolltechcouncil.org/ignite/

The post Ignite Carroll 2017 – Posing Dos & Don’ts: A Photographer’s Selfie Guide to Hiding 10-20 Pounds appeared first on Kelly Heck Photography.