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The Right Way to Travel
October 29, 2009 - "Better Holiday Photos" Tip #2
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Dear Reader,

Yesterday I sent you some tips for taking better photos at Halloween. If you missed those, you’ll find them here: http://tinyurl.com/yzpxfw9.

Today, let’s talk Turkey Day... with three tips for professional-looking Thanksgiving photos, taken from our Holiday Photo Guide:

** 1. Choose a subject and let it dominate the image.
Instead of shooting random photographs in hopes of catching something good, pick out your subject and try to find creative ways to capture it. For instance, maybe your great-aunt has flown into town for the holiday. Get a shot of her stirring the gravy or sitting in a chair with your 2-year-old on her lap.

** 2. Capture the spirit of the season.
Thanksgiving is about family and togetherness. While the roast turkey traditionally symbolizes the holiday, the bird takes on even greater meaning when surrounded by your loved ones. Snap some photos of the family at the dining room table, just before the carving of the turkey. It’s okay to give stage directions: instruct everyone to look at the bird, to hold their glass in a toast, etc. But you’ll probably want to avoid taking pictures of people eating; they’re usually not flattering.

** 3. Try a different perspective.
Many amateur photographers make the mistake of shooting most photos from a head-on, eye-level position. Changing your position can dramatically alter the impact of a photo. Experiment with each subject to see which perspective works best. When photographing the dining-room table, for instance, you might try shooting from the foot of the table in a standing position -- and again while standing on a stool. You may also want to get some shots from the head of the table, capturing looks of expectation as everyone eyes the still-intact turkey.

BONUS TIP: If your family members don’t mind signing model releases, you might be able to sell your Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other “special event” photos online as stock.

Stock photo legend, Lise Gagne, takes holiday photos to sell as stock every year. She suggests that to sell seasonal photos, you should think ahead... because designers look for holiday images three months in advance. So hold on to your best Thanksgiving shots, and upload them for sale in stock agencies next August. And consider taking Valentine-themed photos now.

We’ll talk more about stock -- and other markets for your photos, including editorial and fine art -- at the Ultimate Money-Making Photo Workshop this April in Nashville. Get $700 off and a FREE copy of our popular Holiday Photo Guide, featuring 82 tips like the ones in this note, until midnight tomorrow night ONLY, here: http://www.thephotographerslife.com/phw/nashville

-- Bonnie

Bonnie Caton
Editorial Manager, AWAI Travel Division

P.S. Today is your last chance to get great deals -- 20% off and FREE shipping on select items, including:

** 20% off and FREE shipping on our AWAI-exclusive Photo Tip Cards, here: http://www.thephotographerslife.com/tip/wb/website

** 40% off The Lazy Man’s Guide to Stock Photography PLUS The Quick & Dirty Guide to Stock Photography, here: http://www.thephotographerslife.com/lzy/wb/website

See what else is on sale here: http://www.thephotographerslife.com/get_started

Hurry -- these deals are over tonight at midnight!

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You'll find a sample model release here: http://www.thephotographerslife.com/downloads/santafeppt/general_model_release.pdf

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