Creative Backgrounds

Today is all about Creative Backgrounds! When Sue first pulled out this colorfully painted flower backdrop, everyone laughed because it was so busy, loud, and so “not Sue”. Watch how Sue treats a busy backdrop and ends up laying it down on the floor to create the killer shot of the day.

Shoot #1-

Experience the challenge of photographing a strong and busy backdrop alongside Sue as she works through her creativity to find the perfect shot.

Items Used:

• Hair Dryer
• White Vflat (usually for sale at your local camera supply)
• Apple Box

Key Things to Take Away:

• Don’t be afraid to move your client around or change their hair to get what you need when working with a busy backdrop.

Shoot #2-

Have you ever considered laying a backdrop down on the floor? Explore this challenge with Sue as she shoots from above and poses her client while lying down.

Items Used:

• Busy backdrop
• Two white v-flats
• Apple box to stand on
• Artificial blonde hair

Key Things to Take Away:

• When shooting your client laying down, always put some kind of cushion under their head (like a small pillow or towel). This gives them a long neck and avoids double chin.
• Add in artificial hair underneath their real hair to give it extra volume.
• It’s important to engage all aspects of “Pose” – especially when your client is lying down. Make sure to keep the beautiful expression, hands, and curve of the body.

Selection-

Get some insight into Sue’s thought process as she goes through the photos from the creative backgrounds shoot. Find out what worked, what didn’t, and what surprised her when she laid her client down.

Key Things to Take Away:

• Cons to lying your client down: neck can be wider, drop shoulders, still chin forward and down
• Pros to lying your client down: face usually looks thinner

Up Next: Victorian Style Shoot