Anna Saverimuttu's Photography Blog

Teenage Urban Portrait Session

A few weeks ago I photographed this beautiful teenager in Guildford.  I was spoilt for choice with both outfits and locations, and we ended up taking some shots by the river and some more in the town centre.  Urban sessions are great for everyone from teens to artists and performers who want something a bit different for their portfolio.  They're also perfect for prom year portraits.

I love all the different blues in this shot, and the tattoo!

Wrong Trousers Day in Guildford

Last Tuesday was Wrong Trousers Day for Guildford's BEST business networking group, who very sportingly attended their breakfast meeting in a variety of inappropriate legwear, to raise money for charity.  They even agreed to be photographed for the occasion!

Guildford Fiesta

Last Sunday the Guildford Fiesta brought an explosion of sunshine, music and dancing to the streets as local schools and community groups dressed up in colourful costumes and set out from the grounds of Guildford castle.  The procession made its way through the town centre to the beat of the drums, and music by Bloco do Sul, finishing up at Shalford Park for the PICNIC Festival.

 

 

 

Pregnancy Portrait Session Guildford

I photographed this lovely mum-to-be a couple of weeks ago.  The session was done at her house, making the most of the available light. 

Pregnancy portraits are such a beautiful thing for a woman to have done, and having the pictures taken at home makes the whole process a very relaxed experience.

I'm really looking forward to returning to photograph the baby!

Here are some of my favourites.

 

Quick Corporate Portraits

Sometimes (or make that more often that not), as photographers, time is not on our side.  If you're a wedding photographer, the bride is invariably running behind schedule, if you're photographing families, you have to be quick off the mark before the children get bored/hungry/tired, and if you're a corporate photographer, it's a given that the person you're photographing will be fitting their portrait session in between two important meetings.

When I know that I will have very little time for a corporate portrait, my preparation beforehand is of the utmost importance.  I'll arrive about an hour before my subject is due to appear, scout the location for suitable areas in which to photograph, clear the background, check the light, open blinds etc, and do some test shots with my lighting setup.  This means that when they arrive, I am not messing around with cables, light stands and the like, and can give all my attention to the subject and coaxing the best expressions from them.

This session called for some head shots plus some "in conversation" pictures.  The latter always take a little more time, as when there are two or more people in the frame, the chances that both will be displaying the perfect expression/gesture simultaneously, are much lower.  I had exactly half and hour to do all of these shots, so every minute was crucial.

 

Photo Featured on Royal Albert Hall Website

Last December I photographed the guitarist Byron Johnston, on location around London's Southbank.  Byron will be performing at the Royal Albert Hall on 14th August, and I am delighted that they are using one of my photographs on their website to publicise the event.  You can view the picture here.

To see more of the photographs I took during Byron's portrait session click here.

Anna Saverimuttu Photography Supports Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice

This year Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice, based in Farnham, is 30 years old.  And to celebrate, they are holding a fabulous James Bond-themed party on Saturday 13th June. 

The event is being held at the Great Hall of Oak House at the University of Surrey, and will include a buffet, live music, DJ, casino tables and James Bond-style games.

I am delighted to be offering as a raffle prize for the evening a Family Portrait Gift Certificate, including a complimentary framed print, for the lucky winner.

So get your ticket for the party now by contacting fundraising on 01252 729446 or online.

How to Photograph Groups

Whether it be the family group at a wedding, the local football team, a school party or a corporate team picture, photographing large groups of people presents its own particular challenges.

Top Tips for Successfully Photographing Groups

1. Do your preparation - find out at least roughly how many people will be in the group; that way, at least you can plan your shot in advance and decide on what (if any) lighting you are going to use.
2. Make sure people know who's in charge right from the start.  A large gathering of people with no one to direct them will descend surprisingly quickly into chaos.  Your job on the day is really one of chief entertainer, so while you're working out how best to arrange them and all the other boring technical details, don't forget to keep talking to people; personally, I find that I'm generally talking a lot of nonsense, and can never remember afterwards exactly what I've said.  But if I've kept people amused, then that's all that concerns me.
3. If you're having to arrange people in rows (not my favourite arrangement, but sometimes a necessary one), with a mixture of some sitting and some standing, I find that it's better to have the taller ones sitting down. Having a row of tall people standing and shorter ones sitting in front increases the gap between the two rows of heads too much.
4. Rows of people often look better if the rows are curved in slightly at both ends to create a semi-circular arrangement.
5. Try and photograph them from slightly above.  This can really help ensure that everyone's faces will be seen, particularly with larger groups;  it also provides a more interesting angle.
6. This should go without saying, but take lots of pictures - the more people there are in your shot, the more pictures you should take, since the more likely it is that a) someone will blink or b) someone won't be looking in the right direction: and if you're really unlucky, it could be both! Obviously, there is a limit to how much you can shoot of the same set-up, since people's expressions will quickly start to glaze over if you just put the camera on 6 frames-per-second mode and fire away.  You need to direct them between shots, so that as well as always looking at you, their expressions are engaged and interested.
   
7. Try to avoid placing everyone's eyes on the same level.  It's probably the least exciting option as the viewer's eye will travel in a straight line across the picture and the arrangement lacks any kind of dynamism.
8. Again, with family groups, show the relationship between different members of the family and have them move closer together so there are no awkward gaps.

Guildford's Pilgrim Morris Men

On Saturday, Guildford's Pilgrim Morris Men, together with other groups of morris dancers, were in Guildford High Street for the town's annual Summerpole Celebrations, which date back to the 16th century.

The procession started in the High Street, outside Guildford's Abbot's Hospital, under a beautiful blue sky and in front of a large crowd.  The dancers then moved on to the Castle Green where the summer pole was raised, followed by more dancing and celebrations.

 

What Makes a Professional Photographer?

I came across this quote the other day, and its relevance to the practice of professional photography really struck me.

"Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction and skillful execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives." William A Foster

This post is linked to several categories in my blog - Photographic Equipment is not one of them :)