9 Ideas for Creative Photography Projects

One of the challenges for both amateur and professional photographers alike is keeping the creativity flowing. Photographers can find themselves in an artistic rut not knowing how to break out of it. The beauty of photography, however, is that there is plenty of room to try something new. Inspiration can come from anywhere.

In order to spur the imagination, here are some different photography projects to try:

1. Event Photo Booths –Special occasions warrant all kinds of photos so that the memories will be preserved and cherished for a lifetime. Setting up a photo booth with a variety of different props can help guests get in the mood for celebrating and give the photographer some much needed inspiration. The photos taken can then be used for other creative projects like scrapbooks and collages.
2. Public Places – The best photographs are often those that are not staged but are made up of ordinary people. What better way to find the average person than in public places like downtown areas of cities, public parks, and community-wide events. Spending time around other people in natural settings takes the pressure off of the photographer to produce the best shots and allows them to focus their attention on taking great pictures.
3. A-Z – Starting with the letter A, take a photograph of something that begins with that letter. Keeping going through the entire alphabet to Z. For even more of a challenge, set a time limit on this project. The results could be surprising!
4. Animals/Pets- An animal’s personality can be expressed through professional pet photos in many different ways. The challenge, however, for the photographer is the patience to capture the right moment. Pets don’t pose as humans do. It is best to try to capture the pet in his or her natural environment just letting the pet be an animal. Try following a pet around for a few hours to see what it does.
5. Time Lapse Photography – Time lapse photography involves taking a sequence of photos in a set location and then linking those photos together. This kind of photography shows the changes that take place over a period time, usually hours or days. Time lapse photography can be challenging but incredibly rewarding. It also requires discovering a vantage point that will capture what is desired.
6. Personal Items – Pick one personal item and then take photographs of it in a variety of different settings. It helps if the item is easy to carry around.
7. Colors – Choose a color and then take photographs of only items that are that particular color. Choosing an uncommon color will make this project more of a challenge.
8. Random People – Throughout the course of a day, take photographs of random people. This might include the gas station attendant, police officer directing traffic, or homeless person on the corner.
9. Photo Road Trip – Take a road trip just for the sake of capturing photographs along the way. Another person might make this project more fun but could also detract from the purpose of the trip which is to take photographs.

Sometimes just being on the other side of the camera can help give inspiration for new ideas. Enlisting the help of a professional photographer like Cindy Sherman to take great photos might get the creative juices flowing again. Being the subject of the photo shoot instead of the photographer can provide a much needed different perspective.

The Best Outdoor Locations for Summer Photos

Summertime provides many opportunities to capture the perfect family photos to be cherished for years to come. Summer is the peak time for celebrations, playtimes, and gatherings since children are not in school and the whole family can spend time together. Birthdays, anniversaries, summer weddings, family reunions, holidays, and vacations all offer moments to catch on film.

Summer is also ideal for outdoor photography. The weather tends to cooperate more, and the days full of sunshine mean that many people head outside for activities. Here are some of the most popular outdoor settings for summer photography:

• Water – Whether at the beach, the local waterpark, or the pool in the backyard, staying cool in hot temperatures means being in the water. For photographs in and around water, it is important to have a quality camera, one that is water-resistant and offers the right kinds of settings.
• Celebrations – Holidays, family reunions, and vacations are just a few of the many events that draw families together during the summer. These are excellent opportunities for photographs of loved ones. Professional photographers can capture the best moments during special occasions.
• Playtime – Having a camera that can capture action shots is essential for documenting playtime on film. Action shots are best done with cameras that allow for quick shutter speeds. To photograph children during playtime the best shots are done at their level from good vantage points.
• The Mountains – Higher elevations offer an escape from hot temperatures, and the family camping trip is a staple in the summer. Taking the camera on outdoor adventures comes with challenges, though. Decisions will need to be made on how it will be carried and how to keep it clean and protected from the elements.

Back to School Senior Portraits

With summer winding down, it’s already time to think about going back to school. For high school seniors, it is also time for senior portraits. That last year is one of the most memorable in a teenager’s life, and documenting the transition from high school to the next step in his or her life is imperative.

The process of creating senior portraits will go smoother when the right elements come together. The different components that go into the senior photo session are:

1. Hair and Makeup – The best look for senior portraits is one that make the subjects look natural. Many young women make the mistake of overdoing it with their hair and makeup, only to end up disappointed with their pictures. Lighter shades of makeup are ideal. Guys need to trim any facial hair or be clean shaven for the best portraits.
2. Wardrobe – For senior portraits, it is common to choose one classic outfit and one outfit that shows off the person’s style. A classic outfit might include a colored dress for women, and khakis with a buttoned-down shirt for guys. Of course, one or two outfits that are more stylish or trendy can be brought in as well as the person’s favorite accessories.
3. Props – Props that enhance the senior’s personality can be used effectively in portraits. A variety of personal items can be brought in order to create different themes. Musical instruments, sports equipment, and even the senior’s letterman jacket or class ring are all options.
4. Location – It is important to choose a location in which the person is comfortable and displays his or her personality. This might be a location that brings up fond memories like the family farm or neighborhood park. Some seniors choose both an indoor and outdoor setting. In any case, it is important to talk with the professional photographer for location ideas.
5. Family Members – Bringing a family member to the photoshoot is a must to get suggestions for clothes, poses, and locations. Having Mom or Dad around can make sure the job gets done the first time. Overall, it is important that the senior’s personality comes out in the photographs, and a family member can help.

Celebrity Senior Photos

Who knew that these famous people were, at one time, not so famous? Most of us recognize their names and faces now, but back when they were seniors in high school, they still had yet to stand out from the crowd. Can you guess these celebrities from their high school portraits?

Barak Obama

Oprah Winfrey

Mat Lauer

Meryl Streep

Jennifer Lopez

Choosing a Location for Photoshoots

When seeking professional photography services, one of the first decisions to make is the setting for the photos. There are two main choices for location: indoor or outdoor. The best choice depends on what the photos are for and what kind of experience the subjects want to have during their photoshoot. Both indoor and outdoor settings for photography have their own pros and cons.

Outdoor Photography

Outdoor settings allow for a wide range of themes for photographs. Professional shots can be taken at a number of different places including the beach, a park, downtown, a forest, or anywhere the subjects want to go. Features of the landscape like park benches or driftwood can be readily used for props. Plus, photographs in outdoor settings are considered more natural and less artificial.

Taking pictures outside, however, comes with its own challenges. The weather does not always cooperate. Professional photographers often struggle to find the right lightning in an outdoor venue, especially if a sunny day suddenly turns dark and cloudy. On the other hand, a good photographer will know how to use the outdoor elements to their advantage.

Cindy offers an excellent outdoor photography studio with over 35 distinctive settings. These settings include a waterfall, a barn, an old fashioned car, a giant willow tree, and lots of beautiful flowers. There is also a Paris and Spanish setting.

Indoor Photography

Indoor photography is best for those who want control over every aspect of their photoshoot. There are fewer distractions, and indoor shoots are more private and comfortable. Those participating in the photo shoot can bring their own props and these props are easier to manipulate.

Indoor settings for photoshoots are also simpler for the professional photographer. There is more control over lightning, and a variety of backdrops can be used to create the perfect setting, regardless of the weather outside. They can take place at any time, and the photographer can edit and display the images right there in the studio for immediate approval.

Contact Cindy Sherman Photography for help with determining the right setting for your specific needs.

Black and White Photography

Black and white photography is often reminiscent of the past, photos collected in old yearbooks, throughout pages of a history text book, a moment important enough to capture in a time when snapping a quick photo wasn’t so easy. At present, color photography is the norm, however, black and white is still an option to be explored. So why would one choose to go black and white? Multiple perspectives exist, from artistic observations to the feelings of nostalgia associated with the days before color. Here’s a handful of reasons why you might consider cutting out the color during your next studio portrait session – or why you may opt to keep it:

1. In a busy environment, a kaleidoscope of colors may draw attention away from the subject. Often, black and white is used when the focus of the picture is directed at the human element. A photo taken for a ‘reportage’ or ‘lifestyle’ piece can be strengthened by going black and white. Generational photos and portraits ought to be considered.

2. The famous printer Paris Tango says, “Black and white is an attitude, a different way of looking at things. I knew many photographers like Cartier-Bresson and Robert Doisneau who preferred to work in black and white. There is an indescribable magic in black and white that is impossible to explain, it is the shadows and the highlights, in the details and in the mystique. Black and white treads that fine line between reality and fantasy.”

3. The relationship between light and dark, and the contrast between elements can be both visually and mentally stimulating, as the mind must define the story of the picture.

4. Black and White is classic. However, some images include such juxtapositions in color, that taking it away would detract from the composition and balance. An example of this includes images that have relatively muted colors with a notable red object.

5. Dynamic range. Depth and patterns. Images that not only focus on a subject at the forefront, but tell a story with the details in the background often convey more if taken in color.

Generational Photos

So many factors determine the quality of photographs that emerge after a shoot. Beyond the physical appearance, and in the midst of the best sets one can choose, is the energy that comes out of the individual in the shoot. Enter three or four more individuals, and the energy is inescapable. This interplay between us is highest when a trail of mothers and daughters, or grandfathers and sons come in.

Setting up a time to take family photos shows appreciation to your loved ones. Not only are you sending the message that you want a token to hold on to for years to come, you’re sending the message that you want to spend time together. By setting the appointment, you’re making a plan. What will everyone wear – should you set up a day to go over clothing, or to go shopping together? Where will everyone meet, and what time? Will there be a meal involved? Generational photos give your family multiple days to spend together and results in more than just a photograph. Generational photos capture the age and face of each person at a certain time, and looking over the photo allows every participant to reminisce, or look forward to things to come.

Professional Photography – Marketing Materials

When starting a business, one of the key elements to success is a smart marketing strategy. Whoever the audience, it’s important that when they hear the product name, they associate it with a clear image of the product. Taking the ‘easy’ way can be fun, the DIY, smile and point to the product route – if it fits the brand. However, often times, product pictures and marketing materials come down to so much more.

Enter the professional photographer. This person is an artist with an eye for the visually stimulating, using a background that boasts your product, and lighting in all the right ways. Not only is the photographer a second pair of eyes, but they may see the product in a different way and often reveal a different approach, lending multiple shots and images with which to work.

At Cindy Sherman Photography, the backdrops, and outdoor scenes are vast, and offer multiple configurations for product placement. Starting a relationship with a photographer early on is beneficial as she will be there from the beginning to watch the evolution and transformation between product and consumer. Directing the light in just the right way, leading the eye to the exact point where the brain interprets the image before them and creates the story of the product as it progresses.

Contact Cindy today to discuss your marketing goals.

Flower Photography and You

With the flowers in bloom and the extra hours of sunlight, it’s the perfect time to get up close and personal with the plants in your life. Taking photographs of a plant alone is a great way to practice photography skills. At Cindy Sherman Photography we enjoy using nature as the perfect backdrop for individual, family photographs, or special event photos. Our outdoor studio features phenomenal gardens and settings to use as the perfect background for your photographs.

Wanting to try your hand at photographing some flowers this summer? Whether it’s in the backyard or along the trail, these flower photography tips will help your photos punctuate the summer season.

Here’s a few tips to remember:

1. Sunny weather. Taking pictures on a clear day opposed to a cloudy day will ensure the photo catches the vibrancy in the colors and details of the flowers. However….
2. Softer light is perfect for red and purple hues.
3. Get close. Pictures taken up close at eye level of the flower will come out clearer than using the zoom feature.
4. Insects. These little guys help set flower photos apart. It’s nature, in action!
5. Shallow depth of field. Utilizing this creates pictures featuring the subject clearly centered and focused before a blurry background. To do this, keep the aperture very low and the shutter speed very high.
6. Mix it up. A single flower or a field of flowers. Play around with numbers and see how it affects the photograph’s tone.
7. Rule of thirds. Imagine a tic-tac-toe board dividing the frame into thirds and let the focus of the photo fall where the lines intersect.

If you’d like to see the outdoor sets and be the star subject this season, contact Cindy Sherman Photography to talk about summer portrait sessions and schedule an appointment.

5 Fun Photo Apps

While the camera that comes with our phones has the ability to add different effects, they can never take the place of a photographer’s skill and ability to capture the perfect light and angles. However, there are several apps that let you try your hand at some fun and crazy effects that can make your friends laugh, as well as express tone if you’re in the middle of a serious texting conversation. Taking a picture, adding your own flare, and sharing back and forth with friends has become easy and lots of fun with the help of a few of the smartphone apps below.

1. PhotoFunia
   by Alexey Ivanov
   Universal app (works on android and iOS)

Choose from over 300 scenes to add your face to, turn your photo into a painting, place your image on a billboard, and much more. This app lets you load new photos or pick from your Twitter or Facebook album.

2. Sktchy
   by Sktchy LLC
   iOS

This app lets you share your favorite pictures with the Sktchy community. Choose any image downloaded by the community to add an artistic touch to it. Find inspiration and share your art with this app.

3. Frametastic
   by Imaginary Feet
   iOS

This app lets you organize and frame your photos in a variety of ways, including several funky collage settings to choose from. Alter images and add unique backgrounds.

4. Cymera
   SK Communications
   Android

With live filters you can apply a filter before you start snapping pics. Plenty of unique filters, collage mode, beautify mode, stickers, and more. Decorate a picture and share it on your favorite social media sites.

5. Camera 360
   Pinguo
   Universal app

A huge range of functions and it’s absolutely free, no ads! This app lets you see before and after shots, letting you brag about your skills to all of your friends.