{"id":91544,"date":"2018-06-01T18:39:50","date_gmt":"2018-06-02T01:39:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/06\/01\/how-how-to-take-better-photos-of-your-loved-ones\/"},"modified":"2018-06-01T23:04:42","modified_gmt":"2018-06-02T06:04:42","slug":"how-how-to-take-better-photos-of-your-loved-ones","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/06\/01\/how-how-to-take-better-photos-of-your-loved-ones\/","title":{"rendered":"How How to Take Better Photos of Your Loved Ones"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Photographing your loved ones is the most meaningful thing you can do, which is why I made CINDYPROJECT<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Practical tips how to take better photos of your loved ones:<\/p>\n

1. Colorful backgrounds<\/h2>\n

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Simple tip: find a colorful background, and ask your loved one to stand in front of it. Bonus points if you can get the colors to match or contrast!<\/p>\n

2. Obscure their eyes<\/h2>\n

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Don’t show their eyes by putting their eyes in the shadow. Shoot photos of them during “golden hour” (sunset) to get epic light, and shadows to obscure their eyes.<\/p>\n

Play with props like sunglasses, hats, and other clothing items. By obscuring the eyes of your loved one, they become more mysterious and the photograph is more interesting to look at, and the viewer can come up with their own story about the photo!<\/p>\n

3. Get your selfie in the photo<\/h2>\n

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Honor thy selfie<\/a>, by putting yourself into the shot. By putting yourself in the shot (reflection, shadow), you make the photo more personal. You’re putting your own soul in the photo, and immortalizing yourself!<\/p>\n

4. Make it surreal<\/h2>\n

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Surrealism: make photos that don’t look real. Or make photos that look “hyper real”.<\/p>\n

For example the photo of Cindy’s back, as she was getting Chinese cupping for her back and neck pain.<\/p>\n

When you’re documenting your loved ones, don’t just show the happy moments. Also show the struggles, like you can see the pain Cindy had to go through with her chronic back and neck\/shoulder pain. The photo is personal, and opens up our life for others to relate to.<\/p>\n

5. Have fun<\/h2>\n

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Not all the photos you shoot of your loved ones need to be “flattering” in the traditional sense. Have fun. Make silly photos, that are surreal, whimsical, and interesting!<\/p>\n

For example this photo, Cindy is wearing VR goggles. It makes her eyes seem larger than life and distorted. But Cindy liked it, because of the shock factor and the nontraditional portrait!<\/p>\n

6. Make your loved one a creative collaborator<\/h2>\n

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Cindy isn’t just a photo object; she’s an active subject, author, and creative collaborator. For example when she put together the art portfolio “Cindy project”<\/a>, she wrote these words on being both the subject of the photo, but also the curator of her own self-image:<\/p>\n

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What is the photographic moment?
\nIt is a song, a record of the playful dance between photographer and subject.<\/p>\n

Where is the photographic moment?
\nIt is everywhere and nowhere\u00e2\u20ac\u201d
\nAn attempt to extend that sweet something while surrendering to the transience of life.<\/p>\n

Who is the photographic moment?
\nShe exudes power in her vulnerability.
\nShe speaks, contests, collaborates.
\nShe lives [s\u00e1\u00bb\u2018ng].<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Takeaway: Collaborate with your loved one. Don’t just “take” their photo; make a portrait of them, with their input, suggestions and ideas. Make them feel beautiful, loved, and let them add their artistic ideas. This will ensure a life-long collaboration between you both.<\/p>\n

7. Memento mori<\/h2>\n