8 Tips on How to take great photos!
Photography is an art form, a science, and occasionally an athletic endeavor (yes, crouching for that perfect angle counts as cardio). As a professional photographer, I’ve learned that taking great photos involves more than just pressing a button—it’s about capturing a moment, telling a story, and sometimes grabbing attention from small children with a dog squeaky toy to smile. (yes- I should really invest in something else.)
Here are some practical ways to elevate your photography game.
1. Lighting: It’s Everything
The secret sauce to great photos? Lighting. Natural light is your best friend, but it’s also the diva of photography. Early mornings and late afternoons (aka the "golden hours") give you soft, flattering light. Midday sun? Not so much. It’ll leave your subjects squinting and looking like they’ve been blasted by heavens gates. If you’re indoors, face your subject towards a window for soft, diffused light.
2. Composition: Rule of Thirds—But Make It Fashion
Imagine your frame divided into a tic-tac-toe grid. Place your subject along those lines or at the intersections to create a balanced, eye-pleasing composition. But don’t be afraid to break the rules—sometimes centering your subject or going for symmetry makes a photo stand out.
Experiment with angles! Get low, climb high (carefully), and channel your inner Yogi. A fresh perspective can turn a “meh” photo into a masterpiece.
3. It’s not necessarily about what gear you have, but rather knowing how to use what you have
Whether you’re rocking a high-end DSLR or your trusty smartphone, knowing your camera’s settings is key. Learn about aperture, shutter speed, and ISO—the holy trinity of photography. Think of it like baking: aperture is the size of your oven (depth of field), shutter speed is how long you bake (motion blur), and ISO is the oven temperature (light sensitivity).
Pro tip: Auto mode is like frozen pizza. It gets the job done, but manual mode? That’s homemade.
4. Engage with Your Subject
Taking portraits? Make your subject comfortable. Crack a joke, compliment them, or play some music. A relaxed subject equals a better photo—unless you’re shooting pets or toddlers, in which case, have treats handy (with permission of course) and accept that chaos is part of the charm.
5. Background Check
Before snapping away, take a second to scan the background. Nobody wants a telephone pole sticking out of their head or a random bystander photobombing their engagement shoot. Clean, uncluttered backgrounds help your subject shine. When in doubt, move yourself or your subject a few steps left or right.
6. Edit, Don’t Overdo It
Editing is the seasoning on your photography dish. A little contrast here, a touch of brightness there, and voila! Just don’t go full "Instagram filter overload." Subtle adjustments will keep your images looking timeless and professional. I plan to make a blog post solely dedicated to how to take photos and turn them into masterpieces in Lightroom, so stay tuned for that!
7. Practice, Practice, Practice
The best way to improve your photography? Take photos. Lots of them. Play with different settings, styles, and subjects. Learn what works and what doesn’t—and don’t be afraid of making mistakes. Some of my favorite shots happened because I accidentally hit the wrong button.
8. Tell a Story
A great photo is more than a pretty picture; it’s a story frozen in time. Think about what you want your image to say. Is it a romantic moment? A quirky candid? A dramatic landscape? Infuse your photos with emotion and intention.
Taking great photos doesn’t require a $5,000 camera or a degree in fine arts. It’s about understanding light, composition, and your subject—and sometimes being willing to lie in a puddle to get the shot (true story). So grab your camera, get out there, and start shooting. Just don’t forget to check for photobombing squirrels—those guys have no respect for art.
Happy snapping!
