Creative Vision with DeClue Portrait and Design

Whether I am working with a client, a student from my Senior Model program or just shooting for myself I always think about the end result.  It's important to know how the image is going to be used as that can dictate how you compose the photo.  If a client is interested in an album, it's important that I have a certain amount of images and a variety of poses to offer to them.  If they are interested in wall art then I need to shoot a little wider so that I can print it larger and not lose any important part of the image when it is sized.  

Shooting with Intent

Whatever type of image I am trying to create, I always try to take it the the way I want it to look but that isn't always possible.  If I am shooting outdoors, sometimes the weather doesn't cooperate, the time that the client can meet is not the most optimal or the location is not the most attractive.  When that happens I have to have a vision on how I want the image to look and plan on how I am going to get it to look that way.  On this particular Senior Model session, we were on the top level of a parking garage in St. Louis.  The Arch and the building to the right of the photo were interesting but the office building on the left was a little distracting.  My plan was to take the photo and then to create symmetry by placing a duplicate image of the building on the right and covering up the distracting building.  The concrete floor was also not very attractive so I darkened the image a little which draws attention to my model.  

Before & After

So when you are taking a photo (either with a camera or cell phone), take a second before you push the button and look at everything in the frame.  You don't necessarily have to know Photoshop or how to edit an image to create great photos, there are minor things you can do.  If there is something distracting, try and move the item or move your position so it is not in the image or find some shade to shoot in so your subjects aren't squinting.  Before you know it, it will become a habit and your photos can improve instantly.   Attached are two images from the Arch session to show  you the differences and the techniques I applied to create the end result.   

DeClue Portrait and Design

For more information or to schedule a session, please contact Debbie DeClue @ 314-550-5733.  Check out my work at www.declueportraitanddesign.com.