As school exams are underway and the end of term approaches, many teens (and their parents!) will be thinking about the end of year prom and what to wear. More importantly, they will be eager to capture their gowns and suits at their best, so they can remember this special evening for years to come. For most, this will be done on their smartphones. So here, we share our top tips on how to photograph amazing prom photos using your smartphone camera.
Lights, camera!
How your photo is lit is the most important factor in fashion photography. This doesn’t mean you need studio lights, although a photo shoot can be a lot of fun, but rather that you need to consider how light will work in the photo.
A natural light can soften the features and bring an authentic feel to your images. Sunset can produce a sun blushed golden tone (or ‘golden hour’), enriching the shot. Play around with the lighting in different areas.
Our number one tip for close ups and portrait shots is to make sure the eyes are well lit in order to get the catchlights in the eyes (the little chinks of light you can see).. This small change can dramatically enhance your shots.
Background
Background can add excitement and atmosphere to your photos. If the prom setting is in an old building, capture that. If there is a beautiful sunset, use those golden tones. And if the mode of transport is a fancy car, use it for your shots! Also don’t dismiss rusty barns, graffiti or brightly coloured walls as there can make amazing backdrops.
On the other hand, make sure there isn’t anything too bizarre in the background of your shots. Editing photo-bombers out of an image can be a pain and no one wants to look back on their prom pics to find a random tree branch growing out of their head. So, make sure you are looking at the whole shot. before pressing the shutter.
Audiences
It’s likely that you will be showing off your prom photos to lots of different people, including friends and family. So, it’s a good idea to capture some photos for your different audiences. You could take some traditional shots for the grandparents to enjoy. Swap out the traditional shoes and replace with DMs or trainers for more edgy shots for the social channels, and some ‘in the moment’ group shots for friends to look back on. Most importantly though, be authentic, and be YOU!!! This is YOUR day, and this needs to be reflected in the photos.
I’m ready for my close up!
Mixing up your shots between close ups, mid and far distance can create some very dramatic and engaging images that together will make a great album.
It’s likely you will have spent a lot of time (and money) on hair and make-up, picked out that perfect piece of jewellery or be wearing a sentimental pair of cufflinks, and spent hours deciding on an outfit, so make sure some of your shots really capture this effort through close ups.
Come for a smartphone photography session
If you would like to get the most out of your prom photos on the day and capture some unique images beforehand, why not book on to a smartphone photography workshop? Or, if you want to give your teen a great experience, let them wear their prom outfit again, where they can be as creative as they like with their photos and book a teen fashion shoot - all shot on a phone.
We run sessions in London, Brighton, Newcastle, Hertfordshire, Oxfordshire, Cambridgeshire and County Durham.