How To Stand Out In Photos
What makes a stand out photograph? There are lots of pieces; it’s composition, lighting, subject matter, and a bunch of other stuff you learn in art school. But if you’re the subject, especially for something like your own boudoir or portrait photography, how can you make sure you stand out?
Boudoir is definitely the time for you to be the shining star, and while I as the photographer am trained to make sure of this, I know it’s empowering for those in front of the lens to know what’s going on. So I thought I’d take you around to the backside of the camera this week! I’m going to break down some of the fundamental parts that you can have control over to stand out in photos, whether it’s for a professional session, or an impromptu snap.
Stand Out With Color Theory
Think about your favorite outfits, the ones that make you beam when you wear them — what colors are they? How do they look with your skin tone and hair color? Chances are, they contrast with one or both of those things, meaning they are opposites in a way. Let’s look at the photo above this section. Hannah has fair skin, dark hair and a dark red lipstick. She’s also wearing a detailed red bra, which is darker than her skin tone. So thinking about how we can make sure she stands out from the background, with all these darker elements in play, a light champagne sheet worked out great! It plays well with her skin tone, and let’s those red and brown colors pop (even her blue eye is singing in this shot.)
Obviously, we have less control over how our clothes will stand out against a backdrop when it’s an unplanned photo, but when you do, think about how those colors will work with or against you.
One word of caution: be careful of extreme contrasting colors, as these can be just overwhelming and distracting. Think bold opposites on the color wheel; red & green, yellow & purple, orange & blue. Of course there are always exceptions to every rule, so when in doubt, ask your photographer for guidance! I love helping you pick out the perfect outfit that will make you feel powerful and let you be the star of the photo.
Stand Out With Posing
When you’re with me, you don’t ever have to think about posing yourself. However, out in the wild when I’m not guiding you head to toe, it’s nice to know what the hell to do with your limbs when the girlies want to take a group photo. There are some super simple tips I can give you that will change your posing game forever.
Roll your shoulders back, present yourself with confidence. The last thing you want to do is be slumped over, one step from melting down to the floor. So straighten your back, chin out and down, and kill it.
If it bends, bend it. Check out the pose Crystal is doing in the photo above. This might be a bit much for a random outing photo, but with those arms making beautiful triangles, she’s certainly not blending in with the background. Even on the busy wallpaper, she’s standing out. The lighting certainly helps, but making triangles with your arms and legs automatically makes your body language more interesting. So pop the knee, put the hand closest to the camera on your thigh, and slide it up until you’ve got a nice elbow bend, then tuck that elbow towards your back. Boom, instant pose that’s easy to nail every time and helps you stand out rather than standing forward with straight limbs.
Know your angle! Which side of your face do you prefer in photos? Which way do you tilt it for a selfie? You’re likely more confident when that side is facing the camera, so use that to your advantage! Ultimately, confidence is what will make you stand out from the crowd (even if it’s temporary.)
Stand Out With Facial Expression
Typically, a photo of you is probably going to include your face. So how do you “pose” your face to stand out? You could certainly have the biggest smile, or have the most piercing look of mystery in your eyes. Either way, your facial expression will say a lot in photos, so make sure it says what you want it to. Eye contact is a sure fire way to have instant connection. We can’t help but be drawn to eyes that are looking right at us, making this one of the simplest ways to stand out in photos!
I really hope this helps you feel a little more prepared, a little more confident the next time you’re in front of a camera with these tips. Learning how to stand out in photos is a practice, but for the most part, leave it up to me — that’s what I’m here for! I love creating artistic photographs with you that help you stand out and bring about feelings of power and confidence. Ready to book your session together? Let’s get the ball rolling, click the button to take the first step!
