6 Questions You Should Be Asking Your Photographer
1. How long have you been a photographer?
The longer a photographer has been in business, the more likely it is that it’s not just a hobby for them.
2. It’s uncommon for a photographer to specialize in several different types of photography as they often only specialize in one or sometimes two genres. For example, a photographer who specializes in newborn photography might not be the best candidate to shoot wedding photos unless they have the experience in doing so.
3. Do you have many repeat clients?
This is a great litmus test of not only the quality of a photographer’s work but of their customer service too.
4. What is your policy on rescheduling a session?
An experienced photographer will definitely have a policy in place when it comes to a customer cancelling or rescheduling a photography session. A photographer with policies indicates that they have experience with different types of customers and situations and have created policies accordingly.
5. Have you had any experience with (name your specific concern)?
If you have any specific concerns regarding your photo session such as the photographer’s ability to work with a special needs child for example, find out if they have ever handled that type of situation before. Do not dismiss a photographer and their abilities based on their answers to your concerns. If given adequate notice, an experienced photographer should be able to deal with any situation you present them. This is the hallmark of a true pro.
6. Silent Question:
Use your gut to judge their personality and rapport. A photographer’s main job is to capture emotions and moments. If your photographer doesn’t mesh well with you on the phone or in person, chances are you and your family will not mesh well with them at your session and this will show in your photos.
Storing and Sharing Your Photos Online: The Best Platforms to Use in 2023
Smartphone cameras are more exceptional than ever before, so it’s only natural for us to want to fill our phones with hundreds of photos and videos. If you find that your phone runs out of space quite often, it might be time to consider an online photo storage and sharing platform. Not only can these platforms be used to back up your favorite shots but it allows you to share your images with others more easily too.
When reviewing online photo platforms, there are a few things you should keep an eye out for:
- Ease of use: How easy is it to sign up and upload your photos?
- Organization: Is it easy to organize and tag your photos so that you can find the shot you want when you want?
- Space: How much space are you looking for and how do the prices of the platforms compare for that amount of storage?
- Quality: Does the platform retain the quality of your photos?
- Shareability: How easy is it to share your photos with others or mark them as private?
Top Photo Storage Platforms to Consider in 2023
Flickr
Flickr is well known for its simple and clean user interface and is a great option for everyday and serious photographers. Along with several great tools, the platform also makes it easy to tag and download your photos at a variety of resolutions. The drag-and-drop functionality also makes it easy to organize your albums.
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This platform is more ideal for anyone who wants to share their photos with those who would really appreciate it. If you love capturing artistic or landscape photos, this is the best platform for you. Users can display their photos very creatively using the Sets and Stories functionality.
Photobucket
Photobucket’s free version allows you to store up to 250 photos, which isn’t that much if you tend to take hundreds of photos every week. Fortunately, their paid plans are very affordable, so it is possible to store all of your shots in a safe place. The platform also makes it very easy to share your photos on social media sites if that’s what you enjoy doing.
SmugMug
SmugMug is another stylish platform that uses a number of design templates to display your photos. Unfortunately, there is no free version and their paid plans aren’t that affordable either, so it’s a better option for those who are more serious about their photography and don’t just want to store family photos.
iCloud
iCloud works with Apple Photos and it allows users to upload up to 5GB worth of photos, which they can then share as they please. The photos can be viewed in Apple Photos or on the web and a location and names can be added to each shot.
Google Photos
Google Photos is the perfect platform for everyday users and the editing and sharing functionality is not bad either. Users can create individual albums and mark them as private if they would prefer not to share their shots with others.
Dropbox
Dropbox continues to be a firm favorite amongst many photo fans and it works on both Android and iOS devices. Dropbox makes it easy to upload photos from your phone or computer and safely store them behind a password. You can also share slideshows and images with anyone who has access to the necessary links.
As you can see, there really is no reason why you should risk losing or sharing your favorite photos. There is a photo storage and sharing platform for all needs and budgets.
A Basic Guide to a Great Headshot Photo Session
Let's be honest here, we've all seen them, selfies, beach photos, or some other casual photo being used as a head shot. But, is that REALLY the image that you want to convey for your business? Even if you are just starting, you don't want to cut corners when it comes to your headshot. Professional headshots are the first introduction to you, your business and your personal brand.
Around 93% of HR professionals and recruiters turn to LinkedIn to find quality candidates, 2 in 3 turn to Facebook and more than half utilize Twitter. This just proves that a headshot plays an important role in your professional life. Your headshot should be a powerful, compelling and confidence-instilling headshot that makes prospective clients, employers and partners want to reach out and connect with you.
Before you head to the studio for your professional headshot photo session, think about the things that you want others to see when they glance at your profile page.
Think about some of the characteristics that embody your personal brand. Are you a chef, an educator, a writer? Write down some keywords and phrases. If there are certain props that could help tell your story, bring them along to your session too.
We will usually take a few different shots using various outfits so that you have a good selection to choose from. If you’re going to be using your headshot on a specific social media platform, you might even want to tailor it to fit that site.
It’s important that your look matches the image you’re trying to convey. What you wear on a daily basis is a great place to start. Solid colors are always a good choice, as are tops with strong collars and necklines. We suggest that you wear clothing that compliments your skin and eye tones and it’s best to stay away from very bold colors too. Even though you’ll only be photographed from the shoulders up, it’s important for your entire outfit is professional as you may want a shot or two that is taken further away and incorporates more of your body.
Even though this is a more professional shoot, remember to have fun. A relaxed, comfortable subject naturally exudes confidence.
Why You Need a Mommy and Me Photo Session
The bond between a mother and a child is unlike any other, one that can be beautifully captured with a camera. But if you’re anything like most mothers, you’re always the one behind the camera in family photos and hardly ever in them. Even when moms have family photos professionally taken, they are always too busy worrying about everyone else and don’t get to relax and enjoy the photo session. The photos also tend to focus more on the kids, and hardly ever get to capture moments of you being yourselves.
I’ve recently been reminded that life is truly precious and filled with moments we sometimes take for granted. I have found that moms want to be in more photos with their children and this is why I have come to realize how important my Mommy and Me photo sessions are. Now is the perfect time to capture memories with your children, regardless of where you or your kids are in life.
We want to make this photo session work for you, so whether you want a few photos with your children, or you simply want some memorable pictures of you and your own mother, we are here to guide you. This is your chance to get creative and really make a photo session about you and your kids and the special bond that you share.
Bring along anything that will make you all feel comfortable and will help you spend some time together as we do our job. For example, you might want to bring a blanket and some of your daughter’s favorite books so that we can capture your snuggles and story time. Maybe you want to stop and grab some ice--‐treats with your son or bring along a game that you both enjoy playing. This is all about creating a space where you can enjoy being together so that we can perfectly capture these moments for you.
If you are looking for an alternative to the traditional family portraits, the Mommy and Me portraits are ideal. While a family portrait can be a wonderful way to capture those special moments of you and your children through the years, it does require some extra effort to get everyone together and in the same place. A Mommy and Me photo session is easier to style and coordinate.
I love that Mommy and Me portrait photography is intimate and sweet with very little fuss. These sessions don’t take very long and will free up your schedule to spend more quality time together. These sessions provide a space where those natural interactions and emotions can play out, resulting in a mini time capsule of your current relationship. You might even want to make this an annual tradition so that you can beautifully document the relationship with your children.
Simple Tricks for Looking Thinner in Photos
We have all seen photos of ourselves where we simply weren’t happy about how we looked. It’s easy to be your own worst critic but it’s even easier to make small changes in how you pose for photos in order to look slimmer and more confident.
Low angles are a no-no. Nobody looks good when they’re photographed from below. Photos taken at this angle make you look heavier, shorter and will more than likely give you a bit of a double chin. Instead, take photos from a side angle or from above.
It’s all in the jaw. It might feel rather awkward at first but try practicing moving your chin up slightly and your neck forward so that it accentuates your jaw.
Think before you get dressed. What you wear plays a big role in how you look in photos. Avoid bulky or baggy clothing that doesn’t fit you well. While darker clothes do make you look slimmer, if you want to go for brighter colors, stay away from any patterns that draw attention to your problem areas and always avoid horizontal stripes.
Angles & posture are instant wins. You will always look slimmer in photos if you twist your body slightly to create an angle. Place one leg in front of the other and keep your weight on your back leg. Put one hand on your hip and keep your other arm relaxed at your side, not pushed up against your body. To accentuate your collarbones, stand up straight and push your shoulders back.
Sit correctly. If you’re sitting in a photo, try and cross your ankles instead of your legs. It makes you look leaner and shows less of your thighs.
Stick to the middle. Taking a group shot? Try and stay away from the end of the group if possible as people standing on the edges of the group always look a little bigger.
Remember that confidence makes a big difference to your photos too so don’t forget to smile naturally and let your beauty shine through.
Need new family portraits? Click here to see my portfolio and a link to get more info: https://zenfolio.page.link/QEPEq