Practice Mini-Shoot Photos {Northern Virginia Photographer}

Mornin’, Lovelies!

I’m breaking several “blogging rules” this morning.  Ahh, well!

First, I’m posting on a weekend.  That’s a big no-no.  The lowest ratings are supposed to occur on the weekends.  I’m so naughty! 

As many of you are getting ready for your mini-shoots, however, I wanted to share some of my own photos.  Last weekend, we took our girls to the Capital to scope out shooting locations, good shade, etc.  Good thing I did!  The whole place is under construction.  Found a beautiful place, howeverJ

Another rule I’m breaking is posting “sub-par” photos.  Two quick tips I’ll share for you new photographers.  One, avoid shooting subjects in direct sun.  Look for shade.  In the sun, people squint, wrinkle their brow, and end up looking old and stressed.

Instead, place your subject in the shade of the tree.  Point-meter for their face instead of evaluative meter for the entire frame.  This will make sure that your subjects face is appropriately exposed.  If your camera is set to “evaluative,” your subjects face may appear under-exposed when metering to zero, i.e. too dark.

Secondly, avoid shooting mid-day.  The sun is so bright!  My photos below were taken after Mass, mid-day.  When the sun is at it’s peak, the difference between your brights and shadows is extreme.  So, you’re whites can easily become pure white, meaning that no ink prints on your photo when its printed, and looks yucky on a screen.  I defiantly “blew” my whites in the photos below.  No bueno.

So, remember this when shooting family pics, having them done, or your wedding photography: the best time is just after sunrise or just before sunset.  The light is even and glorious!

I hope you enjoy some of my non-perfect images.  It was after Mass and before nap-- the kids were cranky!  My daughter’s dressed in her raccoon dress from H&M, striped tights by H&M, boots from Target, and the book is The Kissing Hand—about raccons.

Off to shoot!