Local Photo Pro Gives Tips To Parents
Westport, CT February 2 2004–How are you going to get those great shots of your child for the holidays? Or that new school year photo that doesn?t look too posed?
?Capturing a child?s early years on film is every parents dream, but it can be their personal nightmare too, if the shots don?t work out,? Sacia Friedman, local professional photographer, explains about her craft.
Getting a great shot of a child is the job of a professional. A parent can be assured of a good-looking shot at that time, but the pro cannot always be present. For the instances when Sacia Freidman can?t be there to capture a child?s precious moment on film, she has a top 10 tips list for doting parents to have the best chance to get that special shot of their child.
?Children are the most wonderful subjects in the world to photograph. The beauty of their innocence, the intensity of their thoughts, and the joy in their play are once in a lifetime memories. Unfortunately, many frustrated parents tell me about the shots they?ve missed and the wasted film. I get a lot of questions about how I shoot and how I?m able to get those priceless expressions. Taking great pictures isn?t about luck,? Sacia said.
In order to assure capturing a great photograph of a child, Sacia put together the following helpful hints?
1. Relax and have fun. Children can sense tension and know when their parents are worried about something. If you are tense about taking pictures, then your children will focus on trying to please you and not being themselves in the photographs.
2. Get close. Nothing is more incredible than a child’s eyes. Don’t be afraid to step in and just take a picture of their faces.
3. Use lots of film. Realistically you will probably average 1-2 good shots per roll. That’s normal - children move, or they close their eyes. It can’t be avoided.
4. Realize it’s ok if they aren’t smiling. Remember your child is multi-faceted with many moods and behaviors. In 20 years you will cherish and laugh at those pictures of the dirty looks and tears.
5. Be prepared. Always carry your camera with fresh batteries and film with you. You never know when the perfect opportunity will present itself.
6. Dress simply. Large prints and bold colors can overpower the child’s face or clash with their surroundings. Dress your children in soft prints and solid colors so that the focus of the shot is on their face and not their clothes.
7. Experiment with black & white. If you feel like the photo is too busy or has too many colors in it, try having it printed in black & white. That is a good, affordable way to start working without color.
8. Be flexible. If your child isn’t happy and you don’t feel like things are working, try something else. You never know what will make the perfect picture until you try it.
9. Take your time and frame your shots. Unless your camera is a twin lens reflex camera (which isn’t the way modern cameras are made), then what you see in the viewfinder is what is going to appear in the photo. So, to avoid cutting off heads look before you shoot.
10. Don’t be afraid to crop. When having duplicate prints made, ask the printer to crop out parts of the image you don’t like. This may cost extra because the prints will have to be done by hand, but it can make a shot go from ok to great.
About Sacia Friedman - Photographer
Accompanied by a vivid eye and the ability to capture personality on film, Sacia specializes in the photography of children, families and pets. Working mainly in black and white, her photos invoke a natural, relaxed mood. Ranging from formal to casual, Sacia Friedman has built her style into recognizable portraiture. Her main focus is allowing her subjects to feel relaxed, as she promotes a comfortable work environment by shooting on location. Sacia?s expertise working with children and animals ranges from family photographs to working for Westport-based Earth Place. Her work is on display at Westport-Based Earth Animal pet supply store and Wilton Art & Framing.
A rising personality in the portrait photography world, Sacia brings with her knowledge and experience as she has sharpened her skills with a wide range of clients. Sacia?s previous experience includes sports and action photographs for the Aspetuck Valley Country Club?s Junior Tennis program, expressing the hard work and drive of athletes through preserving their sweat and perseverance. She is responsible for the family portrait of Todd Mitchell (Mitchell?s of Westport), and photographing a Greenwich POPS concert sponsored by The Greenwich Arts Council. At the Grand Opening affair of the new flagship Talbot?s Men Store in Westport, Sacia took shots of the store features and architecture, which landed on the pages of Women?s Wear Daily Newspaper.
A graduate of New York University?s Tisch School of the Arts and winner of the Tobias Award in 1996, Sacia is an active member of the CPPA (Connecticut Professional Photographer?s Association) and the Westport/Weston Chamber of Commerce.
Samples of Sacia Friedman?s work can be seen at www.saciafriedman.com
FOR PHOTOGRAPHY PROJECT INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Sacia Freedman
29 Flora Blvd
Fairfield, CT 06824