Behind a nearly negative feedback on Tripadvisor …I got close to get my very first negative feedback after 2 years…and 138 excellent comments!
Dmitriy and his wife, a lovely couple from Russia, took a photo walk, before the meeting we agreed about a Gondola Portrait Photo Walk then due to being a bit late in the day I told them would have been a Normal Photo Walk and I would have taken few photos….and charged them accordingly. Final results…and rightly so… he was not too happy with the pictures on the other side I knew I had just “taken” some informal pics so was happy with my work.
In some way apart the stress for me and Dmitriy, it was good for me because it teach me a few more things about this kind of portraits during a photo walk or a gondola ride
So let’s try to wrap up some ideas for me and my future guest…
- I have removed the Portrait add on from the Photo Walks. Was far too risky and iffy. I will be more than happy to take for free a few snaps with your camera during a Photo walk. Just ask
Then….few words of advice if you are planning to have your photo taken ….
- This is not the right service if you want the pictures to be a memorable lifetime event. Does not sobstitute a wedding or engagement photography session either!
- Try to listen to the photographer if he tells you that light is not particularly nice at that time of the day
- Properly groomed and nice hair go a long way
- Wear smart clothes and nice shoes…do not wear shorts or tennis shoes
- Smile and look at the camera ….at least few times
- A photographer is not a magician…..if I look like Danny DeVito…. in pictures I will not be George Clooney …no matter the photographer I used
- Please remember that a mini portrait session during a Gondola or a Photo Walk will never be like a full portrait session in terms of equipment, lights, time …but also price!! Check here for my Portraits Sessions
- Check and then check again my portfolio and my style. If you do not like 100% my style it is very unlikely you will like your pictures….there is no if or but… Ask me for details of other colleagues.
- If you are unhappy talk with the photographer, explain the problem.
- During a session I will take may be 150-250 frames but you will ONLY get an edited version with between 15 to 25 images depends on the package you have chosen . You will never get ALL the shots or the RAW (Negative files)
Keeping it Fun!
A good expression on every face is the very heart of the family portrait. Organize everything before your session so that you do not feel hurried and hassled. This will ensure good expressions!
Clothing
I like to design family or couple portraits with a coordinated color scheme. Keep this in mind when you choose your wardrobe. You do not have to be matchy-matchy, but colors should compliment each other. Usually, I recommend warm-toned clothing for your family portrait. We suggest Black (always flattering ), ‘ Navy Blue, Forest Green, and Burgundy Red, our favorite color. Solid white shirts or pants will emphasize the clothing and not the person. In harsh light white clothing can create a long list of avoidable issues. So, our recommendation is to limit solid white clothing if you can. Yes, Levi’s are fine.
Look for Pose Inspiration
I often try to find poses in magazines or online but send me ideas of images you have seen before abd that you like.
Think Action
A picture of a couple with faces side-by-side can be nice, but even a beautiful image can be a bit boring if it is static. I will try to incorporate action into your portrait. Please remeber to try to engage in some action
Tell a Story
Powerful images tell stories. Help me in telling how you as a couple normally interact with one another! Are you serious and very deep/romantic? Or constantly giggling and playful?
Get intimate
A quiet moment in a hug, or a soft kiss can be the perfect image to capture a relationship.
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