Taking Beautiful Photographs and Meaningful Portraits
On-Location in Southern California
Tired of the same old studio portrait photographs with the
same lighting, same background, same, same, same? Find a
photographer that will go on-location, get out, go play, make it a day of
fun somewhere that you love!
Taking pictures on-location isn't a new concept. However
professional, on-location still photography is usually reserved for fashion or
magazine lifestyle pictures. Why is that?
Well for one, it's much easier for the photographer to stay
in the studio and spend an hour or so with each client. Take their pictures and
move to the next customer. Also, it's much easier for clients to just go into a
studio for their annual family pictures and then head out on their daily
routine. Yet pictures of this nature typically only capture a well lit,
relatively uninteresting and dispassionate image of the customer.
Imagine however if you were to be able to go to your
favorite spot, someplace you have a passion for and have your portraits taken?
Wouldn't you be more likely to enjoy the experience? Wouldn't the photographs
show you and others who you were at this time in your life? This type of
photography is called
On-Location Portraiture.
On-Location Portraiture is the Art of taking beautiful, meaningful, unique
photographic images of people, families, friends, lovers, in a visually unique &
personally meaningful setting. This style of photography is really a fun family
friendly experience. Additionally people find it to be very spiritual, intimate
and romantic. The resulting images and memories are unique because each location
and each trip is a unique adventure. Generally you will find that you will
receive:
- Images as art that tell a story about them.
- An exciting and fun experience to remember.
- Photographic memories that have real meaning beyond
simply a beautiful picture.
Does this sound fun or what? So how do you get started?
The first thing to do is find a
photographer that offers this kind of service, such as
Scott Campbell, a Palm Springs Photographer. Once you've found someone
willing to do this type of photography, interview them. You are going to spend
a good part of a day with them so you better make sure you like them.
Additionally, your pictures are guaranteed to turn out better if you like the
photographer.
Another key aspect about your
photographer is their ability to use natural light in their photographs.
Natural light is perhaps the hardest and yet most rewarding lighting a
photographer can work with. Used correctly, and the photographs will
inspire emotions and feelings in the viewer that are nearly impossible to
recreate with a studio lit photograph. Or used incorrectly and you will end up
with a snapshot. Ask the photographer to see their portfolio or gallery of
On-Location Photographs.
The next thing to do is choose a place, weather, time or
all three. This may be a bit trickier. Everyone has their personal favorite
place that holds deep meaning for them. Often these places are beaches,
mountains, the desert or even a time of year or a type of weather. Usually
these places bring out a passion and a certain beauty in a person that is unique
to their experience in that location. There in lies the magic of
On-Location Portrait Photography.
To find such a place you may need to spend some time
thinking about what inspires you as a person, family, couple etc. Do you love
to go beach combing together? Does riding a horse make you feel free? Does the
city inspire you? Or maybe the deep blue sky at 7000 feet is your inspiration.
These are the things you need to think about before choosing a location. If a
place eludes you, yet you know the feeling you want to capture, use your
photographer's knowledge of their location surroundings.
For example, Southern California and the Palm Springs area
specifically contain some of the most stunning natural areas in the world.
Ranging from the surreal windmills along I-10, the 8000 foot peaks surrounding
the desert, the majesty of Joshua Tree and Santa Rosa National Monuments, the
dunes of Kelso, the Pacific Beaches to the desolation of the Salton Sea,
Southern California has plenty to choose from.
Once you have your
photographer and your location, plan the date. If you would like to have
your make-up done professionally, schedule an early morning appointment at a
make-up counter or a salon. If the location requires permits now is the time to
get them, not the day before. Got maps? Don't get lost.
The time of day is absolutely critical to the quality of
light available to you at your location. Typically the best light is either
early morning or late afternoon/evening. Make sure your
photographer knows the location you have chosen and knows the light at
different times of day. Work with them to plan the timing to capture the best
light time possible.
The day before your photography session eat well and get
good sleep. Being tired and hungry on a long hike definitely shows up in
pictures.
On the day of make sure you and your
photographer are well prepared for the elements of your location. Bring
water, some extra food, extra clothing and any portable beauty items you may
need.
Make it a great fun day and you'll come back with some
amazing pictures to mark this time in your life.
For more information about On-Location Portraiture in
Southern California contact the author, Scott Campbell
http://www.scottcampbellphotography.com.
