Photography is one of the most interesting types of art, allowing artists to use creativity and imagination to create art from the world around them. One of the most popular forms of photography is studio photography, aptly named for the location in which the photos are taken. Visuals have become more important for communication, which calls for more pictures and media.
One of the main things discouraging people from hiring a photographer to do these photoshoots is the heavy price tag. Most people cannot or will not pay a hefty price for a photoshoot. For example, if a senior in high school was accepted to their first choice college, they may want to have pictures done in their college gear. However, would they want to pay $500 for a photoshoot? Probably not.
Studio photography requires a certain spark of creativity. If you ever hit a creative slump, I suggest you trust the process. Take my creative journey for example: I was introduced to photography when I was placed in a Spring Phase project with Dr. Lansang, my third-ranked choice. Thinking I would be uninterested and bored, I received an introduction on how to take pictures using various methods and gained a new perspective on the world. I kept shooting, and as I gained more experience, I took it upon myself to start taking pictures semi-professionally. Now, I oversee The Graybee Studio alongside a great mentor, Mike Scanlan.
If you’ve ever wanted to do a photoshoot by yourself, there are a few simple steps needed to save you from that hefty price tag. I hope the following can leave you with semi-professional pictures and money left in your wallet.
First, when using your phone, remember that you do not need a camera to take a good picture: a trained photographer with a phone is more effective than an untrained photographer with a camera. When using your phone, pay attention to your background, how much light is coming in, and positioning. The most recent phones have an aperture value setting, allowing you to control your depth of field and how much light you let into the camera.
Secondly, for your background, consider using a backdrop. However, you want to make sure you have enough lighting when taking your photos. With a phone, I recommend taking your pictures just after sunrise or during “golden hours” right before the sun sets.
Thirdly, when using props, and accessories decide what equipment is best fitting based on the atmosphere you are trying to create. For example: back in December 2023, I and my team started a Holiday family photoshoot with Santa, and we used a backdrop from Amazon, fake snow that we put on the floor, and Christmas ornaments. The most important thing in photography is to let your imagination guide you.
