Posing guide for hands

How to pose hands – Ebook Giveaway!

Everything you need to make hand poses easy for you, your ‘tog friends or when capturing your family. I’m sharing how I guide key poses to create elegant hand placements, without the ‘cheese’. This handy guide will help model’s feel confident ahead of their portrait session and make sure you feel prepared for your photo shoot.

I send this pdf to my TFP (time for print) clients ahead of our session and also carry it in my camera bag, so we can dive in and pick a pose during our session.

Hand Poses – Field Guide

By Amanda Herbert

20 pages, published 7/13/2013

Posing Guide for Hands

Use your field guide and start prepping for your portrait session to create simply beautiful portraits. This posing guide is crammed full of goodies that’ll ensure you’re never short of ideas during your portrait session in London.

Download your style book and learn:

What I say to encourage elegant hand placements
How I start from a ‘base pose’
The ‘flow’ between each pose

I have three copies to give away today! To enter, leave a comment on this post & a number generator will pick the lucky winner. I’ll announced who won next Monday, July 22nd!

For more advice on natural portrait sessions or to book a natural portrait by a London photographer, get in touch and I’ll be happy to help.

Call me for your session 0789 862 1187

CONTACT PAGE

What is natural light photography? Behind the scenes in Ryde, Isle of Wight

Welcome to my new photo buddies on the Isle of Wight, the place where photographers are friendly and families can find useful information and inspiration for creating beautiful portraits of their loved ones. Jump on down to see a rare appearance of yours truly getting ready for my turn in front of the camera!

Master natural light portraits

here’s how to get started …

One of the great things about shooting outdoors is the beautiful locations – Rylstone Gardens, Priory Bay and Tennyson Down. Natural light photographers pride themselves in being able to shoot almost any where. The freedom of working outdoors creates spontaneous portraits that generate natural smiles. The thrill of recognition when mum says, “you’ve caught his smile”.

A day without sunshine is like, you know, night ~ Steve Martin

Portrait check list:

#1 Uncluttered backgrounds

Striking portraits are created with clean backgrounds – simple framing brings attention to your features.

#2 Centre yourself 2 meters in front of trees or walls

Standing 2 or 3 meters in front of your backdrop will allow you to become the centre of attention and the wall recedes into an attractive background. <<< Tweet this idea

#3 Stand in the shade

Clouds, high walls or balconies are perfect for creating luminous light that flatters skin (direct sunlight is too harsh).

#4 Incorporate street furniture, garden features and unique architecture

Sit together on stair wells, lean against lamp posts or drape yourself over tree stumps. These are natural gestures that will create expressive portraits.

#5 Go for a walk

Stroll around the area, take a gander at the garden ornaments or play with your dog. Interacting with your environment generates authentic movement and gestures that are key to successful portraits.

Session details – the reflector puts a little sunshine in your eyes

Want to join in? Check out the helpful posts below.

I hope you find these tips helpful and that your next natural portrait session on the Isle of Wight is a hoot. I’d love to know which tip you think is the most helpful.

For more advice on natural portrait sessions or to book a natural portrait by a London photographer, get in touch and I’ll be happy to help.

Call me for your session 0789 862 1187

CONTACT PAGE

Bethnal Green portrait photographer – tips to get natural smiles in your portraits

Natural Portraits - Professional Photography, Isle of Wight

The portrait experience in Isle of Wight locations

encouraging natural smiles in your portraits

Having a fun-filled portrait experience is a breath of fresh air. The worry of having to grimace “cheese” is no longer a reality. It’s a phrase that has become part of the collective memory and the command rarely generates heart-warming portraits. For many people, spontaneous smiles and custom portraits goes hand-in-hand with a benchmark event or chapter in the family history.

People seldom notice old clothes if you wear a big smile ~Lee Mildon <<< Tweet this

Like welcoming a new member to the clan or the return of student teenager from university. A great family portrait invites you into their life – it reveals a great deal about the people in the picture through the location, style of clothes and expressive gestures.

If you’re looking to book your portrait experience, learn all about creating natural smiles in your portraits.

Ways to create a great portrait …

Tip 1 – Have a natter

Talking, singing, dancing – this will show your true character, not simply a likeness of your profile.

Tip 2 – Share your hopes

The secret to genuine expressions is the connection you make with the photographer. Knowing you can trust them with your portraits, your stories or your mishaps will open the door to honest, thoughtful or frank expressions that reflect who you really are.

Tip 3 – Laughter

Or belly-laughs, giggles, chuckles or quiet smiles that reach the eyes. A great portrait will show all sides to your character and a good photographer will know how to elicit these (tips on how to feel comfortable).

Tip 4 – The gift of time

Allowing yourself time to plan and prepare for portrait session will pay dividends – a rushed session won’t do you justice.

Tip 5 – Honesty

It’s important you have a sense of trust and confidence quickly, an accomplished professional will be able to make a connection with people time after time. Ask to complete their questionnaire.

Want to join in? Check out the helpful posts below.

For more advice on natural portrait sessions or to book a natural portrait by a London photographer, get in touch and I’ll be happy to help.

Call me for your session 0789 862 1187

CONTACT PAGE

Ideas for natural smiles in your portraits, Bethnal Green photographer

It felt really good to be photographing happy portraits again in Bethnal Green.

Want joy-filled portraits without the ‘cheese’?

learn how to feel comfortable whilst staying true to your personalities

The problem with most of us is that we don’t like having our photograph taken. We all have photo albums in the bottom of the cupboard. Boxes bursting with snap shots of our first baby steps, Christmas with grandma, the love of our life at primary school and the momentous occasion of graduating from university. It’s fun to take a walk down memory lane, but posing in front of a professional camera is a whole different experience. One we don’t often feel prepared for. Great-looking portraits are created when we relax in a familiar environment – your home or local park.

We believe in our idea – a family park where parents and children could have fun together – Walt Disney <<< CLICK TO TWEET

Professional photographers love the chance to portray children in their own homes. In fact, it’s this challenge that makes each portrait unique.

#1 Use homes or neighbourhood parks

Homes and parks add an extra dimension to your pictures.

#2 Visit the area ahead of time

People are often more relaxed in familiar environments.

#3 Share experiences

There is a sense of history in a portrait session at home, it’s where the children will grow into successful adults.

#4 Start formal

Classic poses work well at the beginning of session – it provides an easy way to ‘warm up’ in front of the camera.

#5 Change outfits

A new outfit will bring energy into the session, this is the time for more informal portraits.

#6 See yourself in the environment

The location is a big part of your portrait, choose natural surroundings or a favourite room to reflect your personality.

#7 Be proud of your family

Great pictures show a sense of who you are and reflect your personality. Expressive portraits will convey fun, love, togetherness and even tears or silliness.

#8 Get involved

Allow yourself to embrace the session. Being fully involved allows for lively, spontaneous and authentic portraits.

Want to join in? Check out the helpful posts below:

I hope you find these tips helpful and that your next natural portrait session in London is a hoot. I’d love to know which tip you think is the most helpful, your thoughts on the blog and all things photographic! So call me 07898621187 or visit my contact page.

I’ll be posting more ideas next week, see you again. Mandy

Natural, relaxed portraits using locations in Puckpool Park

Learn the art of portrait posing on location in Puckpool Park

10 things you need to know right now

It felt really good to be photographing fun-filled portraits again in Puckpool Park. While the photographs below are contemporary, the timeless elegance of the park’s stone walls in the coastal park suggests a frozen moment in time. The subject is looking poised and relaxed, a modern gaze that creates a picture both simple and complex. The artistic skills needed to create masterpieces in the Portrait Gallery used to take years to master. This post will reveal how to get great results in a jiffy.

Good photography is one that communicates a fact, touches the heart, and leaves the viewer a changed person for having seen it – Irving Penn <<< click to tweet

#1 – Find clean backgrounds

Keep the focus on your features.

#2 – Stand in the shade

Large, luminous eyes draw people in (not squints).

#3 – Use repeated patterns

Ascending stairs, rows of pillars or a line of benches creates dynamic rhythm (our brain is programmed to seek out patterns).

#4 – Lean on street furniture

Sitting on a bench, leaning on a balustrade, or resting on a lamp post will support your body and convey spontaneity.

#5 – Look to the light

Good light flatters your features and adds a luminous quality to your face.

#6 – Use windows

In fact, use any reflective surface that will bathe you in light.

#7 – Find an interesting feature

Create a triangle of interest in your background. Place yourself in the center so the viewer will look at the central elements and then come to rest on your portrait. For example: first, they look at the statue and then the doorway. These features will lead the viewer to your profile in a natural way.

#8 – Anti-smile

It’s important your stature reflects the environment. Belly-laughs and giggles are fab in the park. A restful gaze or wistful smile works well when surrounded by the grandeur of the Maritime museum.

#9 – Be involved with your environment

Strolling in the park, feeding ducks, or browsing through a flea market. When you are completely involved in your process, the results are relaxed and natural.

I had my first photoshoot today with Amanda. The communication leading up to the shoot was perfect! very professional and informative. This shoot was on location, and despite a few obstacles such as the wind, change in sun and the fact it was very cold, we created some beautiful images. Amanda is very easy going and friendly, great to work with and i feel honored to have been able to work with her. would highly recommend. And look forward to working with her in the future.

#10- Have fun

Life is for the living – enjoy your portrait experience.

Puckpool Park is a fantastic place to create flattering portraits. The beautiful architecture provides depth and conveys as a story – the very essence of a good portrait – character, complexity, and expressions – all from a single image.

“Thank you so much for all of the photo’s you have sent over i love every single one of them and so does my friend your an amazing photographer! will recommend you to all! <3 Thanks for a great experience would love to do it again sometime xxxxxx” Beth & Lucy

How to pose hands – Ebook Giveaway!

Call me for your session 0789 862 1187

Master natural light portraits

Portrait check list:

#1 Uncluttered backgrounds

#2 Centre yourself 2 meters in front of trees or walls

#3 Stand in the shade

#4 Incorporate street furniture, garden features and unique architecture

#5 Go for a walk

I hope you find these tips helpful and that your next natural portrait session on the Isle of Wight is a hoot. I’d love to know which tip you think is the most helpful.

Call me for your session 0789 862 1187

The portrait experience in Isle of Wight locations

Ways to create a great portrait …

Tip 1 – Have a natter

Tip 2 – Share your hopes

Tip 3 – Laughter

Tip 4 – The gift of time

Tip 5 – Honesty

Want to join in? Check out the helpful posts below.

Call me for your session 0789 862 1187

Want joy-filled portraits without the ‘cheese’?

#1 Use homes or neighbourhood parks

#2 Visit the area ahead of time

#3 Share experiences

#4 Start formal

#5 Change outfits

#6 See yourself in the environment

#7 Be proud of your family

#8 Get involved

Learn the art of portrait posing on location in Puckpool Park

10 things you need to know right now

#10- Have fun

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