photographing emotion

5 Ways To Better Capture Emotions In Your Photos

It can be very hard to capture emotion in photography. Not only do you have to be right in the center of the action but your timing also has to be perfect to get the shot at the right time. No matter what it is you are photographing, finding that emotion is important. Perhaps you are capturing the way the groom feels when he first sees his wife walk down the aisle in her beautiful wedding gown. Maybe you are traveling and want to capture the culture of a specific city you are visiting or the laughter of children as they play at the park. It could even be the look of a mother when she holds her newborn baby.

We love the emotion this groom is showing as he sees his bride for the first time on their wedding day! This is the perfect example of wonderful emotion captured by the photographer, Andria Lindquist. We found this photo on SnapKnot. 

We love the emotion this groom is showing as he sees his bride for the first time on their wedding day! This is the perfect example of wonderful emotion captured by the photographer, Andria Lindquist. We found this photo on SnapKnot

Whatever type of emotion you are capturing, you want to do it the best possible way you can. Here are 5 tips we found on FStoppers where famous sport and music photographer Michael Zagaris joins Marc Silber on "Advancing Your Photography" and gives us his essential tips to come up with touching pictures. Read through the tips below and then watch the video from Marc! 

1. Connect With People

When you are photographing someone, it is easier to get those more intimate moments when the person you are photographing trusts you. Using a camera with a large lens that stands out can be intimidating to some, so it is important for you to blend in and not stick out from the crowd. If you need help with this, read on to number two below.

2. Experience The Moment

To truly experience the moment, you must be involved and blend in with the crowd. For example, if you are photographing a wedding, you want to blend in so those you are capturing in photos do not even realize you are there. 

3. Understand Your Equipment

You need to be sure you know exactly how to work your equipment because if you are going to capture true emotion, you have to be able to do it quickly. You will not have time to fumble around with the camera settings or your lens. If you have to think about what aperture to use and how to adjust it while the emotion is happening right in front of you, you are most likely going to miss it. It must become second nature for you to adjust all your camera settings quickly so you can be sure not to miss any of those special moments or emotions you are trying hard to capture. 

4. Bring Your Vision To Reality

Framing has a huge impact on conveying that emotion you are capturing. For example, using a wide-angle lens while shooting close will give a sense of proximity and include more of the surroundings, or using leading lines to frame your subject will help it stand out more. 

You can make emotions more intense or more neutralized by your composition. Make sure before you begin shooting that you analyze the scene, anticipate what and where you want to photograph and do all your planning ahead. Having a specific vision in mind before you begin taking photos of the moment will help you to capture the emotion you are looking to get. 

5. Shoot What You Love

In the video below, you will hear Zagaris say that photography is a beautiful art that gets us in places otherwise inaccessible to most of us. This is so very true. As a photographer, you have the chance to experience things that other people are not able to. Be sure to embrace that, but the only way to capture that emotion you want is when you actually LOVE what you do and photograph what it is you love. If you love weddings and seeing people in love, shoot weddings. If you have a passion for travel, capture emotion while visiting new places. Whatever it is you love, capture it! 


 

 

Are you going to be taking any outdoor photos at weddings, travel or even for portraits during the fall months ahead? The Fall Portrait Action Pack for Photoshop would be perfect for you! For $89.99 you will get 28 creative actions that will be great for any outdoor photos you take! 

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FALL PORTRAIT ACTION PACK TODAY! 

 

 

Have You Signed Up For Our Newsletter?

If not, be sure to enter your info below to to stay up to date on our other giveaways and industry deals and news!