Tips for amateur family photographers :)

If you are a beginner photographer and interested in photographing kids, here are some tips from an experienced family photographer in Zurich on how to treat children during family photo shoot session.

Keep Children Active and Engaged

Children love to change types of activity and get bored of monotonous plays rather quickly. So, a good family photographer is always prepared to offer several places and games at option for a photo shoot session. To keep children engaged, it is desirable to change activity every 10-15 minutes.

Make Sure That Children Feel Comfortable

Children need energy for playing games with you. Thus, prior to taking pictures, make sure that children are not hungry or tired. Even the best family photographer in Zurich won’t get good images if children experience physical discomfort.

Avoid Taking Pictures under Direct Sunlight

When having an outdoor family photo shoot session, try to take pictures of children in shaded places, so that they wouldn’t squint at the bright sunlight. The most beautiful and attractive thing in children portraits is their eyes. A professional family photographer in Switzerland will do his best to make the eyes clearly visible on pictures. If there is no shadow and you are forced to take pictures in the sun, don’t hurry and let children's eyes get used to bright lighting. However, you can create some shadow by putting a bucket hat or some kind of a hat with a peak on a child or by asking someone to hold a towel over children while you are shooting.

Keep Some Distance

Try using a lens with a larger focal length - you can move away from a scene and shoot from afar. This will help children to forget about your camera and to feel at ease, while you will get live pictures with a really natural touch. Generally, children under 5 should be photographed in a way that they don’t know that you’re shooting, while when it comes to older children it is better to get them involved in the game of shooting. For example, a good family photographer in Zurich will pretend that he is playing for real, while shooting just for fun.

Promise Reward after Shooting

Don’t stuff children with sweets during the photo shoot session. They will be chewing throughout the session, dreaming only about how to eat all the sweets. This can badly affect the images and even ruin your ideas about the photo shoot. Instead, promise some pleasant rewards after a family photo session, but don’t make much focus on this.

Couple portraits for those who have fallen in love

Couples photography can be tricky because no one really wants to look at corny shots of googly-eyed lovers swooning over each other. That's not because people are fundamentally grouchy, it's because couples photos really ought to be described with adjectives like "sweet," "cute" or "lovely," not "cheesy," "embarrassing" or "gag-worthy." So how do the photographers in Switzerland avoid stepping over that line?

The first thing the photographers in Switzerland do is think creatively. That clichéd image of two people staring into each other's eyes, no matter how tastefully the photographer sets it up, is still just another photo of two people staring into each other's eyes. So the photographers in Switzerland avoid that shot, unless it happens very naturally. Instead, they try the creative ideas, and then expand upon them until theu've developed their own style for taking natural-looking (uncheesy) couples photos.

Many photographers try to rigidly control their photo shoots instead of letting their subjects take the lead. The photographers in Switzerland remember that couples photos in particular are not about two people as individuals - they are about two individuals who have chosen to be a couple. The way their subjects interact with each other is what will make a strong photograph in Switzerland, and it's hard to achieve this when they're constantly barking orders at their subjects. Instead, the photographers in Switzerland give them suggestions and see what happens. If the photographers have some time, they go to a scenic location (preferably a place where the couple has a history) and just ask them to behave naturally

It's difficult to relax and act natural when someone is sticking a camera in somebody’s face. A zoom lens will give you a chance to step back and give your subjects a little bit of space. The longer lens, using by the photographers in Switzerland, will help make the couple feel more like a twosome and less like a twosome with a third wheel.

Props have the dual benefit of adding that extra little bit of interest to the images of the photographers in Switzerland while giving their subjects something to focus on (besides photographer and photographer’s camera). Subjects who are occupied with a prop will be more relaxed and natural in front of the camera. Props can be fun, too, which means the photographer in Switzerland may also be able to get some humorous and/or candid shots. Hearts are obvious props to use in couples photography; so are flowers. These classic symbols of romance have been around for centuries, but the fact is that they are so entrenched in our collective psyche that they're really more mainstream than cliché. Used tastefully, there are plenty of creative applications for hearts and flowers. The photographers in Switzerland try drawing some hearts in the sand on the beach, or take a long shot of their couple with flowers in the foreground. Other props might include a ring, a shared umbrella on a rainy day or even words and letters: "love," "forever," the couple's names or an ampersand placed between the two of them can give your image a sweetness that it wouldn't otherwise have.

How to Make Dynamic Photography Compositions - photo school theory - wedding, lifestyle, family photographer in Zurich and Switzerland

What is a dynamic photo? It is a photo that captures our attention by movement, activity or process and expresses energy. Today we will discuss how to create powerful dynamic images.

1. Use low angle and lines

If you are in the street and want to create more edgy images you should use leading lines around your target and shoot from a low angle. In addition you may use a flash to give more contrast and separate the target from the background.

2. Diagonals of the city

Practice your compositions with everything you see. Diagonal lines are everywhere in the cities now. They fill photos with movement.

3. Hands

Hand-gestures help us to communicate with each other. They are very dynamic. Integrate hands and hand-gestures in your photos. For example, when you are taking a photo of your friend, ask him to use hands to create the image of movement. He or she may put their hand against the window or near their face.

When you are shooting in the streets, ask questions about the time, outfit etc. This is a useful tip to get natural hand-gestures.

And of course, you can be just very attentive, watch people in the streets and shoot at the right moment.

4. Off-center subject

Put your target on the right or the far left of the frame. It will make the composition more dynamic and interesting to look at. And use a wide-angle lens.

5. Head-on subject

Again, use wide-angle lens and shoot head-on. Of course, you will almost walk into people but that will give you photos full of energy and movement.

6. Anti-symmetry

Symmetrical photos are good but not for dynamic photography. Look for anti-symmetry to add more life and excitement to your photos.

7. Unexpected

Use a wide-angle lens to take photos of unexpected situations which will be unordinary and unique. Integrate unusual objects and elements around you and your subject in your photo. Good luck!

10 tips how to shoot action and sports photography

1. Sport photographers in Zurich present you with many opportunities to capture dramatic and vivid imagery that will last a lifetime. Practice makes perfect, ensuring them have a steady hand and are ready when the big play happens.
2. Sport photographers in Zurich need to have a strong and instinctive understanding of a sport to really shoot it well. Soccer, hockey, tennis, golf, fighting, racing: it's all the same. They’re doing some research and knowing the sport will provide a big lift for their images.
3. When shooting, the sport photographers in Zurich are original and try something different. By trying something different, they allow their great creativity to flourish and capture something that everyone else doesn't have.
4. The photographers in Zurich advice never forget the surroundings. Whether it is a stadium full of cheering fans, to the tailgating outside, the surroundings present unique opportunities to capture the spirit of the game without shooting the action itself.
5. A great shooter knows what is on the line for any given game, he knows the major players, he knows the sport, and he knows tendencies. The sport photographers in Zurich pay attention to what is going on in the stadium; maybe there's a fan who is dressed a certain way or has a funny sign that can be incorporated into a shot. The sport photographers in Zurich should have a running list in their heads of shots they want to get should the situation present itself, so that if and when it does, they're ready.
6. Faces are one of the most important things in a sports image. Faces personalize and humanize the image; they connect the viewer to the moment and draw them in.
7. When shooting professional or college sports, flash photography is typically strictly prohibited. Flash can distract the players and cause coaches to go crazy.
8. The motto of the professional sport photographers in Zurich is:  “Shoot a lot, get critiqued a lot, correct your mistakes, and shoot some more”. Challenge yourself; look at images of photographers you admire, and go to a game with the mindset of trying to emulate something you like about their style. Find new ways to tell stories, and accept that you will probably fail a lot along the way.
9. The sport photographers in Zurich keep the action tight, crop even tighter later. They lose extraneous and distracting elements; draw the viewer into the action.
10. The sport photographers in Zurich advice not to stop shooting once the catch is made, and don't ever assume that a whistle means the play is over.

Best 10 Pieces Of Advice For Bride And Groom

If you are going to become husband and wife these pieces of advice are for you.

1. If you want to have a happy and long-term marriage, you have to be accountable for your part in the relationship — good or bad one.

2. Be flexible. Learn how to agree when you know you have been wrong. Learn how to disagree and prove you are right without a squabble.

3. Advice for men: women need to be listened to. Listening itself is a very important gift. But you can learn how to listen to your woman too. Advice for women: men need time for themselves. Give your man a space to be on his own and don't take it personally; allow him to reconnect with his desire for you and this will increase his commitment to your relationship.

4. One of the most common problems in relationships is trying to change your lover. Nobody will be happy to hear that he or she isn't the one you expected. Find reasons for such judgment in yourself first.

5. General problems such as boredom in the bedroom or resentment can be solved by talking and finding a solution that will satisfy you both. Just don't stop talking with each other and sharing your thoughts about everything that concerns you.

6. Never forget what being fair means. Have you been fair with your groom or bride till marriage? Are you going to be fair with your lover after the marriage day? If not, how can you start your family life? If yes, try always to be fair with your spouse.

7. Nothing is more important in a marriage than the love between a wife and husband. You will have children, careers, hobbies, trouble sets etc. But you have to remember that relationship is your top priority. Only in this case your marriage flourishes.

8. Never start talking with the word 'you', it's better to start with 'I' or 'we'. Share your emotions and feelings, always be open. It's not so easy as it sounds, but it gets easier to do with time. The proper beginning is vitally important.

9. Never stop dating. Regular going-outs with your spouse can rekindle the magic of your relationship. Dating will help you keep in mind why you first fell in love.

10. Don't forget to make compliments to your spouse! A compliment gives a feeling that you are acknowledged and appreciated. Making compliment isn't a hard thing, right? Especially for the person you love... So, make an effort to affirm your lover's value in your life, give him or her a little of your attention and love every day.

Die Schweiz - ein wahres märchen für den fotografen

Möchten Sie einen einzigartigen Ort finden, um die Fähigkeiten des Fotografen zu verbessern? Oder möchten Sie unvergessliche und attraktive Bilder machen? Aber haben Sie sich noch nicht für etwas entschieden können? In diesem Fall ist die Schweiz die beste Variante, wenn Ihre besten Erwartungen gerechtfertigt werden! Verschneite Alpen, Bergseen und majestätische Wälder - das sind nur einige Beispiele, in denen Sie die Fähigkeiten des Fotografen verbessern und die höchste Klasse in Ihrem gewählten Gebiet erreichen können. Und Sie werden die getroffene Wahl um keinen Preis bereuen!

Aber lohnt es sich, solch eine verführerische Perspektive aufzugeben? Für diejenigen, die daran interessiert sind, ist die Antwort sicherlich offensichtlich. In der Tat hat ein Fotograf in der Schweiz luxuriöse und einzigartige Möglichkeiten. Hier können Sie wirklich schöne und magische Aufnahmen machen, die für immer die sichtbaren Momente festhalten und später das Album des Besitzers schmücken. Und es ist nicht so wichtig, was der unberührten Natur vorgezogen wird, eine erstaunliche Mischung aus Altertum und Moderne oder die attraktiven Bilder von herausgeputzter Stammbevölkerung. In jedem Fall wird der Fotograf im Vorteil sein, indem er den Prozess und die erzielten Ergebnisse maximal genießen wird.

Einzigartige Sehenswürdigkeiten, die beachtenswert jedes Fotografen sind

Die Schweiz ist nicht nur hinreißende Berge, herrliche Seen und super zuverlässige Banken, sondern auch ein Land mit einer unglaublichen Anzahl an Sehenswürdigkeiten. Wer einmal hier war, wird diese Aussage bestätigen. Was sind nur Zürich, Bern, Genf, Basel und Luzern wert, die sowohl Anfänger als auch professionelle Fotografen überraschen können. Ihre reiche Geschichte und Kultur ist erstaunlich! Zweifellos wird eine solch schwindelerregende Palette den Bildern Freude bereiten und einen Anreiz zur Verbesserung der Fähigkeiten geben.

Während des Besuchs wird jede dieser Städte erstaunliche Aussichten und Panoramablicke bieten, die einfach nach dem Film „fragen“. Sie können das verlockende Tal der Wasserfälle nicht unbeachtet lassen - die wahre Perle eines gebirgigen Landes. An diesem Ort können Sie Ihre Fähigkeiten wirklich prüfen, indem Sie die noch nie gesehenen Kaskaden und in den Felsen geschnittenen Galerien fotografieren, und sogar den höchsten Wasserfall der Schweiz, dessen reizvolle Aussicht die Besucher vor Ort begeistert, fotografieren. Und um die Fotosession zu beenden, gehen Sie zu den alten und malerischen Schlössern und wählen Sie aus ihnen würdige Exponate für die Erinnerungskollektion aus.

Lifestyle photography, theoretical point of view :)

What do you feel when looking through beautiful pictures taken by professional photographers? Some of them are attractive from a technical point of view, while others engage due to an interesting idea or unusual story. But there are pictures driven by emotions - joy, love, romance, admiration, sadness, tenderness or whatever. There may be no "wow effect" of landscape photography, but looking at those pictures you really feel your emotions are involved. If you are looking for a photographer in Switzerland, who is able to tell your story in a natural and spontaneous, yet stylish manner, think of hiring of a lifestyle photographer.

Lifestyle photography is a stunning mix of the best qualities of event and portrait photography. As a lifestyle photographer in Zurich, you need to be ready for "catching the moment", while on the other hand, you should have an experience in working with lighting and composition. As the result, you have to create emotional pictures telling stories about individuality and uniqueness of human relations. This involves taking pictures of people making usual things in usual environment and behaving in a matter-of-course way. During photo shoots, a lifestyle photographer in Switzerland catches those important little details, habits, moments and emotions that our everyday life consists of.

Lifestyle photography is getting more and more popular all around the world, since it shows real people and conveys their true emotions as opposed to staged photography. The important idea of such portraits is that people can look real and sincere, and at the same time - beautiful in their naturalness. People do not pose, but live in shot, and while their memories of events become less detailed in course of time, emotions associated with these events are sealed in lifestyle photos forever.

Lifestyle photographer will find a beautiful story for a photo shoot in every day routine, like family having breakfast on a Sunday morning at home or some cute Zurich brunch place or a walk in a park near the house or playing with kids and pets right in the living room. The lifestyle photographer expertise is to feel relationships highly charged with emotions and to find a balance between true life and stage elements. This is quite a difficult task, but if handled correctly, the result is rewarding – unique, emotional and beautiful pictures telling real stories.

Working as a wedding and family portrait photographer, gives you an opportunity to travel a lot both around Switzerland and the world, visiting large cities and paradise islands, crowded places and out-of-the-way areas. When travelling, you find beautiful locations, learn authentic traditions, meet quaint characters, watch real-life situations – and this experience fills you with emotions and serves as a plentiful source of inspiration.  Lifestyle photography is blending portraits of people and events, urban landscape and wild life, then spicing this with fashion and colours, intimate details and emotions and finally getting a fascinating gallery of unique images that tell inspiring stories about our life. If you are in a search for a destination film photographer in Switzerland, who is able to tell your story in a natural and spontaneous, yet stylish manner, then I will be glad to help you through my experience and ideas.

Strong Points of a lifestyle photographer

·       is really passionate about travel photography, love stories, family portraits, and has plenty of creative ideas to share with you.

·       gets along well with adults and kids and that’s why your photo shoot is sure to be casual, relaxed and fun.  

·       knows the balance between directing and allowing things to go in the natural way – and this is how lifestyle photos are created.