Thursday, January 13, 2011

What to Wear...What Not to Wear

Since I am a on location photographer and I do everything outside many of my clients will ask "What do I wear" or "What should I not wear" so one of the photographers that I follow on her website she has posted what you should wear when you do outdoor sessions.
So you have booked an outdoor portrait session, but then there’s the complexity of what to wear or what looks good for a photography session. The goal is really to keep things simple during the session with the basic ideas of what will look good on you.


WHAT "NOT" TO DO:
Patterns and bold accessories are fun if you’re at a costume party but at a photography session it’s best to avoid the cluttered looks, bright stripes, or strong patterns. It doesn’t mean that patterns don’t work for a photography shoot, but for the most part, patterns are generally distracters.

Funky hair-dos, large accessories (i.e. hats, ornate earrings, pink fluffy scarves), and overly heavy make-up should be avoided.

Avoid outfits that show your tan lines or underclothing (i.e. bra straps).

Do not plan a new haircut, using new make-up or testing new styles before your session to avoid potential problems (i.e. skin breaking out, hair cut that’s not flattering)

WHAT TO DO:
I prefer the casual look when shooting outdoors. Jeans work really well with a simple one pattern top. In my opinion, photographs that stand the test of time are the ones that keep to simple, classic, and casual themes.

The typical recommendation is that you should wear long sleeve tops (for adults) and long pants/jeans/skirts etc. This draws attention to your face and eliminates potential distractions from your arms or legs. The rules are certainly not set in stone so if you prefer wearing short-sleeves tops, skirts/dresses/shorts; just be aware of the cut of the fabric and make sure it complements your skin-tone and body-type.

Good color choices would be neutral and earth tones like green, brown tones, black, darker blue, and black/gray. Those colors go well with light/dark colored jeans or pants. Darker colored shoes are also usually better under these combinations of colors.

Darker colors are slimming but if you prefer white (or lighter colored) tops; then combine it with darker pants or dark blue jeans for contrast.

Layering is also a good idea! For example: A tailored or well-cut jacket is a great combination with a light top and jean bottom

Solid colors are more appropriate for outdoor sessions. Some pattern is acceptable but if it clashes with everyone else in the shoot (i.e. fiancée, children, husband), it may be a distraction.

For photo shoots with two or more people, similar solid colors are preferred to create uniformity. For example, if blue is the choice of color, then a combination of people wearing “light” blue and “navy” blue would be fine. Pay attention to shoe colors and accessories as “clash in color” can create additional distractions.

Be conscious of your body! Wear what realistically flatters your body and fits you the best; not what fashion dictates. The worse things to see are photographs of a person in a too-tight top or bottom that don’t flatter them or their body-type.

Make-up is difficult to explain but it’s a good idea to find a balance between natural and slightly glamour (heavier) coverage! Wear make-up that complements your skin-tone. Don’t be afraid to apply a little bit heavier coverage (powder, concealer etc.) to cover any blemishes or skin discoloring. For the purpose of photography, heavier coverage (than the natural look) does look better but you don’t have to go “heavy” on everything that you end up using on your face

It may be tempting to wear heavy (and dark) eye liner and eye color, but I find that natural coloring (or neutral/earth colors) around the eyes show up much better on camera. It avoids the “raccoon” type look (for the lack of a better description) or dark circles around the eyes.

You may select to retain your individual style in this process and that is certainly your prerogative, but these are some helpful suggestions based on what’s recommended for a typical outdoor photography session. At the very least, hopefully this guide has helped you get started!



http://www.touchofedenphotography.com/links/what_to_wear.htm

Friday, January 7, 2011

*My Equipment*

So I wanted to share with everyone what kind of camera that I use and how much I love it! I first started out with a Canon Rebel Xsi! It was a great starter camera and when I purchased it however I didn't know that black was more professional then silver...so I ended up buying the silver one. A friend of mine who is an awesome photography Melissa C. she let me know that black was more professional looking when you are doing photography. So that was my first mistake in that camera purchase! I used the camera for a year and a half until I came to my decision to buy a more upscale camera with more megapixels and one that was black. I read reviews after reviews and at this time the T2i just came out and it had video with it, but I wasn't impressed. Just as I was looking up camera I ran across the 60D which is one of the newest additions to Canon. Oh boy was I excited! It of course was more out of my price range, but I knew it was the camera I wanted. So I had to have it!!! I ended up selling my Xsi bc it was Silver and will be purchasing another camera in the next year for back-up.
The Canon 60D as shown above came with an exceptional lense the 18-135mm! It's a great lense and 95% of the time thats the lense I use on it. I have a few other ones, but this is definatley my favorite lense right now.

After the purchase of my 60D I had to have a fabulous camera bag to go along with it! I had a Rebel camera bag that went with my Rebel camera so when I sold my camera I also sold the camera bag. I had wanted something different, something unique, and something LEATHER! So after a lot of thought process I orderd my first KELLY MOORE BAG! Yes, I said it KELLY MOORE!
This bag is so awesome! I'm able to fit my camera, lense hood, and two lenses, and one flash. Thats usually what I carry to every shoot. This is not including my extra bag in my car that includes backup batteries, camera cleaner, batteries for my flash, and candy for the kids! Gotta get those smiles somehow!

So winter is upon us here in ole Kentucky...im not a fan! After Christmas I'm ready for warmer weather. So I dont usually do any sessions between now and March. So hurry up warm weather! I'm ready to photograph my clients! 

This year I want to try new locations for my sessions. It seems like I always end up going to the same ones. Hopefully I will get inspired for new locations before my sessions begin.

If you haven't had a chance to view my website it http://www.bdile.photoreflect.com/ or you can look me up on facebook at www.facebook.com/bdile  - I hope everyone stays warm and cozy if your in the state of KY!

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Christmas, New Years, & 2011

With the holidays over with I'm trying to get out of lazy mode and get back into my busy routines. Seems like when Old Man Winter visits all I want to do is sleep. If anyone knows me knows that I love to sleep. I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. I was so glad to have gotten together with my family & friends and to celebrate the Birth of Jesus! I was extremely blessed this year for Christmas! My dad bought me an iPad which I had no idea I was getting and I LOVE IT! Mom bought me some furniture and I had no idea I was getting and I love furniture! I got a matching coffee table, and two end tables that are black and distressed. They are beautiful!!! What a wonderful Christmas! I didn't receive any camera/photography items, but thats ok! I have everything I need right now!



New Years Eve was spent with a great friend of mine and we went grocery shopping at Wal-Mart! I'm definately getting old!

2011 is the start of a new year and new beginnings! It drives my crazy though the day after Christmas you go to Wal-Mart and you see weight loss dvd's, books, movies, and etc. You turn on the t.v. and all you see if weight loss and dieting shows. Seems like everyone wants to get in shape and lose weight as soon as the new year comes along. I know I do it and I try and do really good for a few months and by summer time comes around its to hott to work-out at the gym and to hott to go walking! I'm not lazy by no means! My problem is finding time to work-out when I do get busy. The winter months you dont do a lot and stay inside a lot so working out isn't hard you find time for it. I have been watching " I Use To Be Fat" on MTV and it's a great show and these kids have 13 weeks to get in shape and lose weight before starting college. The past two girls have both lost 90lbs with a trainer. Maybe thats what I need...a good looking trainer. HA! That would definatley keep me motivated. I can't watch "The Biggest Loser". It just breaks my heart to watch these people and here I am eating my yogurt or bowl of Special K and these people are dieting so hard and here I am on the couch eating not doing any physical activity...I think there is a problem with that picture.  Anyways I made no New Years Resolution this year. I always seem to break them. No use in setting any. I do plan on making time to stay active in physical activity and eating more healthier. I eat a lot of healthy food I'm actually a health food nut, but I do love my junk food too....ok my ice cream! LOL!

We will see. I will be posting my some more pictures later..everyone have a great day!