5 days ago
How to Take Truly Great Photos of Your Friends
Anyone can grab a phone and point it at someone, but it takes a few tricks (and a lot of love) to take some really great pictures of your friends. As a portrait photographer, I've been taking pictures of people for over a decade, and while everyone is different, these are a few of my go-to tips to get the best pictures of my besties.
You have your phone with you all the time, so there's no reason not to take a zillion photos of what you and your friends do together (well, no reason unless you want to avoid photographic evidence of your antics). Besides maximizing your chances of getting an awesome pic, taking a lot of photos can desensitize people to the weirdness of being photographed. This is my key to minimizing self-consciousness.
Every time you hang out, just take pictures. You don't have to share them or do anything with them, but they'll be there as an option. Your friends will get used to you documenting your time together, and they'll feel comfortable in front of your lens.
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I take photos with a lot of my photographer friends, and we've found that it always helps a little to chat before we start photographing each other. Even if you see each other all the time, there's a little getting-acquainted period when you get together. If you take photos right away, people just aren't as comfortable.
Ideally, you want 15 minutes or so to reconnect before you start taking pictures. That's not always possible, though. Just give yourself as much time as you can.
Anyone who has been photographed knows that it can feel a little vulnerable. That's one of the reasons people get self-conscious in front of a camera sometimes. But being vulnerable is actually a lot easier when the other person is vulnerable, too.
This can mean both of you taking photos of each other (I do this with my friends a lot), but it can also mean sharing a secret or showing your emotions. Anything that draws you closer will make taking portraits more comfortable.
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A posed photo has plenty of charm. After all, it's what most people think of when they think about being photographed. But there's also a lot of joy in candid, unposed pictures. I love taking pictures of people when I haven't planned everything out. These tend to be some of the most genuine pictures you'll get of your friends.
Taking candids requires just taking a lot of pictures. Your friend might not be looking at the camera. You might capture them interacting with someone, looking at a beautiful view, or doing something they love. Look for moments when you think your friend is happy, and try to capture those.
Quick Tip
One of the very best times to get a good candid photo is when two people are hugging. Pick one person to photograph and take pictures from behind the person they're giving a hug.
It's hard to see a photo of ourselves sometimes. We tend to notice all the things we perceive as flaws, and that can really affect how we feel about the photo. One way to minimize this self-critical impulse is to know a little about what your friends like and dislike about their appearance. Then you can highlight the things they like and hide the things they don't, and they'll be way more likely to love the pictures.
For example, if your friend really doesn't love her neck and worries about a double chin, you can take pictures from a higher angle so her neck and chin aren't a major focus. I do this hiding and showing thing with pretty much everyone I photograph, and you'd be surprised how quickly it becomes second nature.
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This should go without saying, but it's not cool to post a photo of your friend without checking first. People care about their online image, and they might not want certain pictures made public. This doesn't mean your picture isn't good (and you might love having it for your own collection), but it will make your friend feel way more comfortable knowing they get to say what gets posted.
With some of my closest friends, I have blanket permission to post. You can talk about this with people you photograph a lot, especially if they are used to being in front of your lens and trust your decisions about what you think is good to share.
Taking really great portraits of your friends is a special way to celebrate your relationship. It's also awesome for documenting your time together (and hint: pictures make really good gifts, too). Even better, taking photos is just fun, so lean into the joy of showing just how fantastic your friends are.
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