A themed photoshoot can seem restrictive at first glance. However, it can be highly creative by narrowing on one theme. A themed portrait session is also a great way to role-play or indulge in something you otherwise may not normally do. Ever wondered what it would be like to be a wizard from Harry Potter, one of Marvel’s Avengers, or an elf from a fantasy world?

Another reason to go for a themed photoshoot is to take an activity or hobby you already do, and then take it in a new direction. For this photo session, we took the book lover off of the couch and placed her in a cozy and secluded outdoor setting.

How to Select a Theme for Your Portrait Session

Do you have a favorite hero or supervillain? Or how about a movie or TV show you just can’t get enough of? Do you have any hobbies or activities that you absolutely love and would like to focus on?

Here are some ideas to consider when thinking about pursuing a themed portrait session:

• Time periods: Ancient or Medieval history, Roaring Twenties, 
• Movies: Beauty and the Beast, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, The Great Gatsby, The Avengers
• Fairy tales: Little Red Riding Hood, Snow White, The Little Mermaid
• Fantasy: elves, fairies, magicians, enchanted forest
• Activities or hobbies: Carnivals, lemonade/hot chocolate stands, books, painting, colored chalk

How to Pick Outfits and Accessories For a Themed Photoshoot

In order for your theme to stick and really drive home with others, having the right props will make all the difference. Picking ill-fitting or unrelated props runs the risk of confusing the viewer not recognizing the theme you’re aiming for. 

Be sure to research the theme carefully again in advance. Watch your favorite movie or TV show again, do a Google or Pinterest search. Beauty and the Beast will be easily recognizable, for example, by wearing the iconic yellow dress. In our example, the bookworm theme is easily recognizable by the stacks of books strewn around the reader.

Finding outfits and accessories does not have to break the bank. Items needed for your themed photoshoot often can be found at home or crafted by hand. If making a purchase is required for the necessary items, thrift stores can offer up a treasure trove of options.

Choosing the Best Environment for Your Themed Shoot

Themed photoshoots can take place at home or in a studio in front of a plain background. This works well especially when the images focus on the face and make-up, or if a background will be added later. 

Environments outside the studio can elevate an image from average to truly amazing. Environments should be chosen based on the theme of the shoot. For example, fantasy characters such as elves and fairies would be better suited in a forest area. A superhero/supervillain theme, on the other hand, might work better in a more urban area. Environmental conditions that interfere with the model, such as wind in the hair or rain in the face, will add more of a dramatic flair to the image.

A themed photoshoot can offer a fun twist to an otherwise normal looking portrait session. Themed shoots can help add clarity and focus when trying to decide what kind of pictures to take. Plus, it allows you to role-play or take on a persona that you otherwise may never get to do. Themed portrait sessions are just one of many methods to make some great looking images, so don’t be afraid to brainstorm and experiment!

Looking for an Odessa TX photographer? Are you interested in capturing your next idea for senior or family portraits? We’d love to hear from you!

Visit our Contact Page to begin the process.

The post 3 Ways to Make a Themed Photoshoot Happen appeared first on Talva Photography I Odessa TX Photographer.

With all of our photo shoots, we hope to capture the love, joy, and happiness of everyone we put in front of our lens. Photography sessions are as much an experience as they are service performed for hire. A good photographer will make you feel comfortable during a shoot. A great photographer will make you wish that you could keep going even after the session ends.

The Novelty Of Possessions Wears Off Quickly

Remember how it felt to have the new phone in your hands? The smooth texture of the metal, the lightning fast speed at which you could stream videos? Receiving something new elicits a gleeful happiness that can be hard to match. While we may relish the new piece of jewelry or latest top from your favorite clothing store, that feeling is sure to be outlived. 

This is because we learn to adapt to the new object in our lives. The novelty of the latest electronic gadget loses its appeal because it becomes part of our daily lives, and thus no longer holds that appeal that first drew us to it.

Experiences Define Purpose and Passion

When we choose something experiential in nature, we are placing value on that experience. In effect, we are saying that we identify with whatever it is we are engaging in. Someone who loves music will value tickets to their favorite band or singer over just hearing their song on the radio. Likewise, someone who values family and friendships will want a picture of them to remember them by when those people are not around.

Greater Opportunities To Connect With Others

It’s difficult to share the feeling you get when you buy a new pair of shoes. What about how it felt during date night, or during that hiking trip with friends? When we invest in an experience, often times it is something that we can share with others. When we have shared experiences, we are able to form deeper bonds. Purchasing something online is a solitary and isolated act, but engaging in shared experiences brings us closer in community with other human beings.

Experiences Involve Less Clutter

When we buy physical products, the next thing we have to do is find a place to put them. Sometimes this need to buy the latest and greatest can get out of hand, resulting in a cluttered bedroom or house. The nice thing about experiences is that the end result is not always walking away with something physical in your hands. 

Experiences Force Us To Be More Present

When you’re actively engaged in an activity, there is little room to be distracted. This forces us to be more mindful and present. For example, painting or pottery classes are very much a hands-on activity. If you allow your mind to wander, then the resulting piece will most likely be disappointing. Experiences focus our attention and efforts on what’s immediately in front of us, rather than allowing our minds to check out. Anyone who’s sat at the dinner table with phones all pulled out can appreciate this.

Less Comparison With Others

It’s easy to get into the trap of trying to keep up with the Joneses. Who has the most expensive car? Who has the nicest clothes? Physical stuff makes it way too easy to compare ourselves to others. Experiences, to a certain extent, make it less of an issue when it comes to comparison. Everyone who goes into a movie theater all saw the same movie. There is little to no comparison between our experiences with others because the activity was the same for everyone.

Experiences Open New Worlds

When was the last time you tried something new? Did you go out of your comfort zone? While not everyone feels comfortable going skydiving or bungee jumping, public speaking for some people can be just as terrifying. When we seek new experiences, our world view expands. Volunteering for a homeless shelter opens our eyes to the challenges of others. Training for a 5k or a marathon allows us to push ourselves mentally and physically to new levels. Physical products do very little to open us to new worlds.

Experiences are more important than things in a number of ways. Experiences allow others to see what we truly value, while at the same time creating avenues for closer connections with friends and loved ones. Senior portraits and family photo sessions are a great example of an experience that is shared with those closest to us. Exploring new and exciting areas with others, all the while documenting the experience for future preservation, is one of the best experiences we can think of.
Ready to schedule your next senior, family, maternity, or couples photo session? Contact us today! We’d love to hear from you.

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