{photography with lei} fun with props

Hello everyone!  How's the photography coming?  Are you seeing improvement in your photographs?  Have you been playing around in manual mode?  I would love to hear from you!  Email me with questions, or photos you're proud of (or want help with)... my email is photosbylei@yahoo.com.  And please visit me on facebook!  http://photosbylei.com/leilani.rogers.photographer

Today I thought it would be fun to delve into the creative side of photography a bit more.  Developing a sense of style of course is very important in achieving beautiful portraits!  All the know-how in the world isn't going to get you that.  You have to stretch your imagination, think outside the box!

I am not too "prop heavy" in my portrait sessions, but I do have a little fun. :)  Especially with kiddos.  Because then they have fun, too!  And having fun = smiling, laughing kids.  Give a child an opportunity to use THEIR imagination, and they will surely give you a perfect shot or two.

Here are some examples of things that have worked well for me:

{back to school pictures - I use books, pencils, globes, I even have a mini chalkboard that I can write simple math equations on.}

{this is just an open backed frame that I spray painted white.}

{love the pop of color these tissue paper flowers give these two sisters in their sweet, white dresses - very easy to make! i followed a standard pom pom flower tutorial and then stuck bamboo skewers in them.}

{oranges!!! fun, right? first a prop, then a snack. ;)}

{baby in a tea cup!  I got this at walmart - the planter, not the baby -  he is my nephew, though.}

{this old galvanized wash tub - with cheerios hiding in the bottom - provides some fun for my 2 year old nephew!}

That's just a few ideas to get your juices flowing.  It would be fun to share what you come up with next time I post.  So feel free to email me your ideas and we can all share in the creativity!

Until next time. :)