Pro Photographer Quick Tips: Better iPhone Photography

Since I've been handing out these tips on a regular basis, I thought I'd put together a little list of my favorite iPhone tips to help up your iPhone photography game.

First, did you know you can quickly get to a specific shoot mode by using peek and pop on the camera app icon? Yep, press hard and this is the screen that pops up!  While it may SEEM just as simple to jump into the camera app--this really does allow quicker access to the front facing camera, video or slo-mo.  Seconds count if your kid or your pet is doing something cute!

I find it really difficult to hit the actual shutter button when taking a selfie--that's why it's absolutely BRILLIANT that you can use the volume buttons on the side, or even BETTER: your headphone volume buttons as a remote shutter release.  Using your headphones as a remote shutter release also helps to alleviate camera shake, which can make your pics blurry.  So much easier!!  

Another way to release the shutter:  Did you know the iPhone has a self timer? At the top of your screen the icons are flash (when tapped can be turned to auto, on or off), HDR (Auto, on or off) Live (on or off) Timer (Off, 3 seconds or 10 seconds) and front facing or rear facing camera.  Hit the timer button and you can choose between a 3 second and a 10 second countdown. Awesomeness.

Did you know you can lock your focus and change your exposure on your iPhone?  When pointing your camera at your subject, you can lock your focus point wherever you'd like. (which prevents refocusing on something you don't want to focus on) Simply put your finger on the screen where you'd like your focus to be and hold.  You'll see the yellow square double and AE/AF LOCK at the top of your screen (Auto Exposure/Auto Focus Lock).  Now see the sun at the side?  Raise your finger, and then slide it up or down to change the exposure--it'll get lighter (up) or darker (down).

Although iPhones not the best for action, if you're trying to capture something fast moving, leave your finger on the shutter for "burst" mode to capture the movement.  (Later, be sure to pick the best view and delete the rest, or you'll fill up your storage like nobody's business!)

An easy one to forget--LOOK at the lens when taking a selfie or having your photo taken.  I know, it's easy to forget and check yourself out on the screen. 

Get as close to your subject as possible rather than zooming in.  Zooming in pixelates your image and you lose sharpness.

Finally, not a photography tip, but a helpful living tip: don't have a mirror around and want to check yourself to make sure you don't have anything in your teeth?  Use the front facing camera as a mirror.  That my friends, is AWESOME-SAUCE!

Remember the best camera is the one you have with you--now go take some pics!

Pro Photographer's Quick Tips: How To Look Better in Photographs

The question I get asked most often is...drumroll.... "What can I do to look better in photographs?"

Because the camera sees a little differently than the human eye, we can all use a little help with this!  I had a little help from one of my very favorite subjects, (I had to bribe her by making pancakes) to demonstrate my favorite 6 tips (and a bonus!) on how to pose whether it's for a selfie, a photo with friends, a family portrait or a business portrait with a professional photographer.  (Of course, at that point, you'll have the help of a pro, but you'll be ahead of the game with these tips!)

1.  Turn your body slightly away from the camera rather than facing the camera straight on.  Facing the camera straight on will make you look wider, so if you'd like to appear thinner, then turn your body a little.

2.  Keep your arms slightly bent and away from your body.  Any body part that is pushed against another will look bigger, so create a slight gap between your arm and your body.

3.  In a group, try not to be the one on the ends (closest to the camera).  The closer to the camera, the bigger the object will look.

4.  Keep the camera just slightly above eye level.  First of all, no one looks good with an up the nose camera angle.  Again, the face will look slimmer with a slightly higher camera angle.  (Slightly, not super high)

5.  Maintain good posture, keep your shoulders back.  Good posture always makes you look more confident (and slimmer!)

6.  Finally, my favorite tip: bring your chin out and slightly down.  Not so much that the tendons stand out in your neck, but just enough to get rid of the double chin effect that happens.  We all have a tendency to pull back from the camera or pull our chin in when we laugh--giving the dreaded double chin!  You might will feel goofy, but from the camera view, you'll look amazing!

My bonus tip:  There are lots of articles on the psychology of the arms crossed pose--whether or not you think it's good or bad, I don't recommend it for portraits. The pose is often seen as a psychological and physical barrier--don't risk it!

Here's to looking better!

Pro Photographer's Quick Tips: What To Do When You Don't Have a Makeup or Hair Artist For Your Shoot

You've been prepping ahead of time for your shoot and have followed my advice on what to do in advance of your shoot. You've been drinking lots of water and getting enough sleep.  It's the day of your shoot and time to do your hair and makeup.  Now what?  If you don't have a professional makeup or hair artist at the ready, don't worry, I've got you covered!  Here are my favorite tips for perfect makeup and hair for your shoot.

Think these tips are just for women?  Guys, you'll benefit from (well, some) of these tips too!

1. Hydrate your skin:  (This works for both men and women!) Begin by hydrating your skin with a lightweight, non greasy moisturizer.  (preferably without SPF which sometimes has ingredients that can make your face look shinier) A good moisturizer will plump up your skin and it will look softer, firmer and smoother.  And hydrating with a good moisturizer will prevent makeup from looking too "cake-y".

2.  Think MATTE:  Use matte makeup so that your skin won't look greasy or shiny or reflect the light.  Matte makeup also covers inconsistency in skin textures (i.e. wrinkles!) making your skin look smoother.  It can cover any redness in the skin or blemishes.  It goes without saying that your foundation should match your skin tone exactly.

3.  Limit shimmery blushes or eyeshadows:  In camera, a shiny area is like a spotlight and will attract attention.  (However, a little shiny lipgloss is good because it can make your lips look more full!)

4.  Highlight and brighten the focal point of the portrait: your eyes:  Got dark circles?  Use a yellow based under eye concealer to hide them.  Use eyeliner to define the eye on your upper lid and use a shadow that will highlight your eye, blending it to the outer corners with a brush. For blue eyes, choose warm tones to balance them.  For brown eyes, most any color will work, but purple, bronze and navy work well.  For green eyes, reddish browns are good options.  And for hazel eyes cool tones work well.  Don't forget mascara and use an eyebrow pencil to fill in thin brows.

5.  Apply your makeup just a *little heavier than you think you'll need it:  Even if you are going for a more subtle look, the camera sees differently than our eye does. Makeup will look less dramatic than to our eye.  Be sure to bring your makeup with you in case you need to add a little more.

6. Apply your makeup in natural light if possible.  If it looks good there, it will most likely look good in any lighting condition.

7.  Plan for your hair in advance:  Hair requires a little advance planning.  If you color your hair, it's important to see your stylist in advance to avoid showing root grow out.  A cut or trim needs a bit of settling in--another reason to make your appointment prior to your shoot.  The day of the shoot, plan to bring some sort of hair serum (works better than hairspray) with you to smooth flyaways or frizzy hair.

Good makeup application and good hair only enhances my post production work and makes for an even more natural look so that you will look your best in your portrait!

Have you got more questions on how to prepare for your portrait?  Look here and here!

I can't wait to see you!