Inspiration in the ordinary: How to create a great photoshoot from scratch
Sometimes when scrolling through IG we can get lost in the startling world of high end fashion shoots or far off destinations and think we can't take photography at that level unless we have some lavish backdrop of our own. But we can make our own high level photography from just about anywhere. We just need to think about the elements that make up a great photo shoot.
Have an idea. The first and most important step in planning a photoshoot is to have an idea behind it. This doesn't need to be complicated. The idea can be as simple as a spring day couple session. From that idea we can think about the time of day we want to shoot at, the clothes we want our subjects to wear, and the location we want. For a spring day, somewhere with green, so a park, or a field with trees and maybe some flowers would work. We want that romantic rim light in our subjects hair so we know more towards the evening will work for light, and maybe bring a flash or reflector for some fill light since we will back light our subject.
Interesting location. Before a session we need to think about how to make these images really stand out and for that we need to use the elements of photography that create interest. Leading lines are a great one, and we could find those in architecture, or a guitar handle, train tracks, or in an alleyway. Shapes create interest in photography and can be found all over downtown areas. Framing within our frame highlights the subject and we can use windows, door frames, tree branches, and even our own bodies to create interest with this element.
Tie it all together. With our idea of the shoot, our subject, time of day, and our location we have plenty to create an interesting photo session, but to really make it stand out we need to tie these elements together. Thematically our session should all make sense. If we have an idea for a gritty urban downtown shoot, then we should have our subject wear more muted, darker colors. We should choose a location with harsh lines and find a time of day that can create some harsher shadows and deeper contrast. We should also be mindful of our subjects expression and not have as many smiles, but go for a more serious look. When posing we can use more dramatic angular shapes with our arms and legs.
Understanding and using the elements of photography can help us create powerful photos wihtout having to travel around the world or rent out a studio. Thank you, kindly.
-Tarver Petersen
