Tuesday Tips &Techniques - Autumn Portraits
There is a crispness in the air, and a chill in the mornings and evenings. Autumn is almost upon us! For many years I lived in places that had no Fall season. It was just hot and hotter. And sometimes just cold. No in-betweens. I love seeing all the fabulous fall colors, and I LOVE the smells! The smell of falling leaves, spiced pumpkin, apples and cinnamon - Mmmmmmm.
This is often the time of year that many people think about having family portraits done. The fall leaves offer a beautiful and vibrant setting, and really it is just plain fun! But there are some things to consider when planning your portrait session.
The first thing to consider is the best time to schedule your session. Here in Utah, Autumn colors start appearing in the canyons by mid-September, and by mid-October the whole valley is awash in reds, oranges and yellows. Timing is everything. If you book your session too early, you will have very little color to work with, other than green (which can be beautiful, but is probably not what you are looking for). If you wait to long, the leaves start to drop and you will end up with bare looking trees in the background. Even if you still see leaves on the trees, they will show up pretty bare in your photos. Because the window of opportunity is so small, it is a great idea to book your session as soon as you can so you can be sure to get a prime spot. Remember, this is the busiest time of the year for portrait photographers, and they book up fast!
The second thing to think about is light. The sun is setting a little earlier, and the golden glows of sunset can result in some breathtaking portraits. Plan your session early enough to get plenty of light, and BE ON TIME!!!!!! No one can keep the sun from setting, so it is super important that you plan to arrive even a little early if you are planning a sunset session.
You can also plan sessions at any time of the day, if your photographer is skilled to work in any lighting situation. When you are looking for a photographer, take a close look at their portfolio. Does the photographer have a good understanding of light? Do the subjects have good highlights and shadows to add depth and dimension? Is the light soft and clean, or is it interrupted with dappled lighting from the trees (a common mistake among new photographers). Are the images well exposed and the colors vibrant? Or does everything look a little drab?
Many photographers use portable lighting to enhance their images. The biggest advantage of this is that even on the brightest day or in the deepest shadows the photographer can produce fabulous portraits, without having to rely on natural light alone. However, if you are looking for a photographer who specializes in natural light, make sure you find one that is very experienced and knows how to find great light.
Posing is another thing you should be thinking about. Do you want formal poses, or are you looking for lifestyle portraits that show a glimpse in to your family - a day in the life of, so to speak. Different photographers offer different styles, so make sure you look at all your options and decide which would be right for you. If you do choose more formal portraits, make sure you photographer is skilled in working with groups. The poses do not have to be stiff, either. A more relaxed image with a looser composition can be beautiful.
Finally, think about what you are going to wear. Yes! Clothes are important! Many families choose to have matching outfits where everyone is wearing basically the same thing. You could also choose to have complimenting outfits. You are all wearing different clothes, but the colors compliment each other. For example, you could choose a color pallet of red, brown, tan, and green. As long as everyone is wearing some combination of those colors, you will all look unified, without looking so formal.
The colors you choose should match your location. For Fall portraits, stay away from pastels and light colors, as these tend to clash with the Autumn colors. Neutrals are always a good way to go, bt you could also try bolder colors - reds, blues, greens, and browns. Make sure there are no distracting elements on anyones outfits, such as bold stripes or large logos or graphic designs. And make sure everyone has the proper footwear!
If you keep these ideas in mind, then you will be sure to have a successful photo session, and gorgeous portraits for your home!
This is often the time of year that many people think about having family portraits done. The fall leaves offer a beautiful and vibrant setting, and really it is just plain fun! But there are some things to consider when planning your portrait session.
The first thing to consider is the best time to schedule your session. Here in Utah, Autumn colors start appearing in the canyons by mid-September, and by mid-October the whole valley is awash in reds, oranges and yellows. Timing is everything. If you book your session too early, you will have very little color to work with, other than green (which can be beautiful, but is probably not what you are looking for). If you wait to long, the leaves start to drop and you will end up with bare looking trees in the background. Even if you still see leaves on the trees, they will show up pretty bare in your photos. Because the window of opportunity is so small, it is a great idea to book your session as soon as you can so you can be sure to get a prime spot. Remember, this is the busiest time of the year for portrait photographers, and they book up fast!
The second thing to think about is light. The sun is setting a little earlier, and the golden glows of sunset can result in some breathtaking portraits. Plan your session early enough to get plenty of light, and BE ON TIME!!!!!! No one can keep the sun from setting, so it is super important that you plan to arrive even a little early if you are planning a sunset session.
You can also plan sessions at any time of the day, if your photographer is skilled to work in any lighting situation. When you are looking for a photographer, take a close look at their portfolio. Does the photographer have a good understanding of light? Do the subjects have good highlights and shadows to add depth and dimension? Is the light soft and clean, or is it interrupted with dappled lighting from the trees (a common mistake among new photographers). Are the images well exposed and the colors vibrant? Or does everything look a little drab?
Many photographers use portable lighting to enhance their images. The biggest advantage of this is that even on the brightest day or in the deepest shadows the photographer can produce fabulous portraits, without having to rely on natural light alone. However, if you are looking for a photographer who specializes in natural light, make sure you find one that is very experienced and knows how to find great light.
Posing is another thing you should be thinking about. Do you want formal poses, or are you looking for lifestyle portraits that show a glimpse in to your family - a day in the life of, so to speak. Different photographers offer different styles, so make sure you look at all your options and decide which would be right for you. If you do choose more formal portraits, make sure you photographer is skilled in working with groups. The poses do not have to be stiff, either. A more relaxed image with a looser composition can be beautiful.
Finally, think about what you are going to wear. Yes! Clothes are important! Many families choose to have matching outfits where everyone is wearing basically the same thing. You could also choose to have complimenting outfits. You are all wearing different clothes, but the colors compliment each other. For example, you could choose a color pallet of red, brown, tan, and green. As long as everyone is wearing some combination of those colors, you will all look unified, without looking so formal.
The colors you choose should match your location. For Fall portraits, stay away from pastels and light colors, as these tend to clash with the Autumn colors. Neutrals are always a good way to go, bt you could also try bolder colors - reds, blues, greens, and browns. Make sure there are no distracting elements on anyones outfits, such as bold stripes or large logos or graphic designs. And make sure everyone has the proper footwear!
If you keep these ideas in mind, then you will be sure to have a successful photo session, and gorgeous portraits for your home!
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