The ability to bring out the right emotions and expressions in your subjects is nearly as important as a properly exposed and composed photograph. It’s an essential part of being a portrait, wedding or commercial photographer. If your subject is uncomfortable, it’s going to be really obvious in the photographs. I find sharing the editorial vision and what you want the photo shoot to become is always helpful. It involves your subject and makes them an active participant in your vision.

Sometimes, you have to get down right silly! Ask any of the great models I’ve worked with in the past, and they’ll tell you just how silly. Check your dignity at the door and go out there to have fun and create some great images in the process. If you want to read more on this, check out a previous post of mine on the Digital Photography School blog.

A few weeks back I took a trip down to Tucson with Laura of S.I.M. to meet and set up a few photo shoots with photographer Daron Shade. I was pretty deathly sick with a nasty cough, but we managed to snap out a few different sets while there. This short (hour long) lifestyle session with Britt was shot in the bright sun at around 1:30pm. Working the shade spots and back light ensured relatively even light across her, something I look for in my images. Hope you enjoy the set.