Celebrating and memorializing an engagement is important to many couples because it signifies the first official step toward committing to one another for life. Because it is so important, increasing numbers of couples are choosing to have engagement photography sessions. While these types of shoots have been around for quite a while, they have only recently started to become a mainstream trend. A large part of the reason is because engagement sessions no longer have to be traditional. Quite a number of years ago, engagement photos were simply treated as traditional portrait sessions for couples but today there are no hard and fast rules. Depending on the type and number of photos you choose to have taken, these sessions can run as much as several hundred dollars. When making such a large expenditure, it is important to ensure that you are getting the absolute best and that your engagement photos are exactly what you wanted.

First, shop around for photographers that will offer you the most engagement photography bang for the buck. Ask to see samples of their previous work and ask if they have references from past clients that you can access. Discuss your wishes for your photography session and get a price quote for the entire package. Many photographers will throw in the engagement package for free if you book your wedding photography with them as well. If this is the case, get a price quote for the wedding photography package and see if you are still getting a good deal over what you would pay for each type of package separately.
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One of the most frustrating things in photography is camera shake. Camera shake occurs when a camera moves while the photographer is taking a shot. This is usually the result of hand holding a camera instead of placing it on a tripod or other stable object. Modern cameras can be quite heavy and difficult to hold steady while taking shots, resulting in movement that can find its way onto the finished picture.

Camera shake usually doesn’t occur when the photographer is using a fast enough shutter speed. If the shutter is only open for a fraction of a second – say 1/640th of a second or faster – then it is almost impossible for any movement to affect the shot. However often photographers cannot use fast shutter speeds because of low light, so they need to find a way to reduce camera shake. When a shutter is open for a long period of time – anything from 1/20th of a second or longer is considered a long time for shutters – camera shake will ruin the shot if a method for keeping the camera steady is not utilised.

One of the most popular methods for keeping cameras steady is to use a tripod. Sports photographers, and any other photographers who don’t have time to set up a tripod for each shot, might use a monopod instead.

A tripod is a three legged device specifically designed to keep a camera steady when shooting. The legs can usually be extended or retracted and work independently of each other. The legs might also be partially covered in rubber to keep the photographer’s hands warm when adjusting the legs in cold weather, and for protection of the legs from bumps and scratches. Good tripods will also have rubber feet that can grip any surface, even if it’s wet.

Depending on the type of tripod being used, the neck and head type will vary. Some necks can be lifted up and down to allow for height adjustments, similar to the legs. A few types of tripods have necks that can be positioned sideways when lifted up and out. This provides for side-on, or portrait shooting. Other tripods only allow for switching between landscape and portrait shooting from the head.
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So you’ve got a product that you’re wanting to sell. You need some good photos and you need them done right or at least better than most of your competitors, right?

Some individuals and companies will spend thousands on photographing products and that’s fine if you have the budget. This can be truly unreasonable or unfeasible for the small business or person trying to get their products off of the ground and to potential customer’s eyes.

So here are a few tips for capturing some great shots of the products you want to sell without spending a fortune.

Clean your products

Nothing’s worse than having a dusty product full of fingerprint smudges in product catalogs. Clean it up before shooting!

Analyze the setting and scene

First, let’s start with the setting. Take the time to make a great environment for the product to be displayed in. You’re going to want to block out background ‘noise’, meaning other items and things around that would distract from the attention of the item itself.

Sometimes this can be as easy as draping a blanket, sheet or other type of linen as a background and base for the product to sit on.

Background

Consider the colors. If your item is black, don’t use a black backdrop. If it’s white, don’t use a white backdrop. Make your item stand out. Consider using your yard for an outdoors type product. You get the idea.
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