I was so excited to be asked back on Better Kansas City to talk about how to nail that perfect family photo for holiday cards and gifts! Watch the video above to see my top tips, and you might spot some familiar faces as well!
When you show up for a family photo session, and you find surprise hot air balloons across the street, that’s when you know it’s going to be a good one! This was the case for the Stephenson family when we arrived at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City for their session. Not only were there a few hot air balloons on site, there was even a big blimp flying around! Probably the perfect scenario for a family with three boys, especially two little ones. I’ve been lucky enough to photograph these guys before, and I must say, they just keep getting cuter and cuter. Thanks to the Stephenson family for such a fun, extraordinary evening!
I was super excited to be asked back on the Fox 4 News Morning Show here in Kansas City today, this time to talk all about how to pose for photos! With the holiday season quickly approaching, there are going to be lots of events, activities and parties where you’re probably going to get your photo taken. Whether it’s with a friend’s cell phone, a selfie you are taking yourself, or even if a professional is behind the camera, there are a few tricks you can use to make sure you’re always looking amazing. I brought along my incredible niece, Sloan, to model the tips for me on air, and she did such a fantastic job. Thanks to Nick, Kim and the entire Fox 4 team for making us feel so welcome!
Here are five tips to look great in photos!
1. Create Angles! – Drop a shoulder, bend a knee, tilt your head…creating angles creates visual interest and will make you stand out.
2. Don’t Suck in Your Stomach – This creates a barrel chest and makes your face look tense. Instead, stand up straight and throw your shoulders back. You’ll look slim and healthy!
3. Close Your Eyes and Take a Deep Breath Right Before the Shutter Clicks – It will calm your face, widen your eyes and create a healthy glow. This also ensures you won’t have your eyes shut in the photo due to a flash.
4. Push Out Your Forehead to Eliminate Double Chins – Don’t stick out your chin, it will look awkward and strained! Plus, everyone will be able to see up your nose! Instead, softly push out your forehead. Keep it subtle, and your double chin will be history.
5. Selfie Tips – If you’re shooting a selfie, hold the camera at an angle slightly higher than your eyeline. Also, if you’re having trouble tapping the button to take the image on your screen, try clicking the “volume up” button! This functions the same as the main button, and also allows you to hold the camera a bit more steady.
I was incredibly honored when Heather Brulez of Heather Brulez Photography contacted me to take portraits and put together a little video of her sweet family. I can’t lie…it was totally nerve-wracking to be asked to take photos of an amazing professional in my industry (I felt a little bit like a freshman getting asked to sit at the senior lunch table…ack!), but hopefully I have become so skilled at the “fake it ’til you make it” mentality, she didn’t even notice! I met Heather earlier this year when I taught a class on blogging for creatives through Hive Workshops, and I was so pumped to meet her adorable family in person. She has her hands full with her successful business and three active little ones! I bow down to all the mothers of three or more out there…you guys are superheros!
Thanks to Heather for putting her trust in me and to her family for braving a chilly, windy day to capture some memories!
Earlier this year I was fortunate to be asked to teach a class to an awesome group of moms all about how to use their cameras and how to capture their memories in photos. I was so pumped to do this, as I myself started out as a mom who was gifted a new DSLR camera, and through years of taking photos of my own children, found a passion and love for the art of photography. I think as professionals it’s so important to give back to our community, and one way I can do this is by teaching others what I have learned along the way.
One of the attendees of this small workshop was Jena, who called me a few weeks ago to do a family photo session. I was so incredibly excited to work with Jenna, and to meet her sweet, fun family! When we scheduled the session, we didn’t know it would be taking place at the same time as a Royals post season game (who could have predicted that?!), so Jenna had the awesome idea of incorporating the famous “Charlie Hustle” Kansas City shirts into the session. I think the photos turned out so great, and now that the Royals have won the World Series, it’s even more awesome to have these images! Thanks to the Kline Family for spending the evening with me!
To book your own family photo session, please email me via the Contact Page on this site or directly via megan@crazybananas.com!
