Marissa Elman | Fashion & Photography

Marissa Elman is a lifelong lover of fashion and photography.

Most Instagrammable Spots in Manhattan

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marissa elman

 

Are you planning to travel to the “Big Apple” in the near future? New York City is filled with incredible spots that are sure to make anyone’s Instagram account shine.  Make sure you have Instagram uploaded onto your phone, grab your camera, and plan out your trip to include these locations so can snap some awesome pictures of this iconic city.

 

Manhattanhenge

The phrase was originally coined by astrophysicist, Neil deGrasse Tyson, and it is the event when the sun sets between the buildings that run east to west. This will require a little bit of planning beforehand to make sure you’re there whenever this happens, but the photos are worth the extra bit of planning you have to do. This phenomenon takes place because New York City is set up as a grid, allowing the sun to perfectly rise or set between the buildings during the winter or summer solstices.

 

Flatiron Building

The Flatiron Building, located at 175 5th Avenue, is definitely one of the most iconic buildings of Manhattan. This triangular-shaped skyscraper stands out on the street and is easy to photograph from practically any angle be it ground-level or aerial. The building gets its name from it’s shape, as an iron is of a similar shape.

 

Central Park

This large park in the center of Manhattan gives its visitors beautiful glimpses of the city from a lovely landscape. The park itself has so many lovely features like sprawling fields, lakes, and sculptures. An afternoon in Central Park, regardless of what time of year you visit, is sure to bring about some Instaworthy shots.

 

Helicopter Rides

Viewing New York from a helicopter is a fantastic way to get a new perspective of its majestic features, while also giving you the opportunity to snap some one-of-a-kind shots. A short ride will certainly make you fill up the memory in your camera and will definitely be an unforgettable experience. It can be costly, but if you’re able to save up, it’s worth it to take the ride at least once.

 

Highline

Originally a part of the New York City Railroad, this elevated park is located on the west end of the city. Walking along the old railroad bridge will allow you to spot various New York City structures and take pictures of the iconic skyline.

Easing Your Clients’ Nerves During a Photo Shoot

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Making Your Clients At Ease - Marissa Elman

 

When clients go to a professional photo shoot, especially for the first time, there is usually a sense of anxiety associated with that for most people. Being the center of focus and putting yourself on display can be difficult for some clients, so as a photographer, it’s important to be ready for their clients to be uncomfortable and to take active steps to ensure their ease. Not only will this help them to appear more natural in the photos, it will also make the entire experience more positive and enjoyable. To make your client’s a feel at ease, follow these tips that professional photographers have been using for years.

 

Be open from the start

 

Before the photo shoot even starts, it’s a good idea to take some time to talk to your client about himself or herself. People are normally receptive to questions about their likes and dislikes, and this should help them feel more at ease. This will also give you a better understanding of what their personality is and what they might like to see as an end result from the photo shoot.

 

Another way to be open with them is to let them know that you’ll be giving them tips and instructions throughout the process. This will make them feel more at ease during the photo shoot when you’re giving them instructions so they don’t feel criticized.

 

Give Direction

 

If the client is new to getting their photo taken professionally, chances are they won’t know exactly what to do. Give your clients easy to follow directions that won’t confuse or frustrate them. Let them know some general poses before the shoot starts so they know how to position their body during the shoot.

 

Give positive feedback

 

While you’re taking photos if one looks great then tell them about it. This positive feedback will let your client know that they’re doing a good job and will reinforce some of their confidence. Along those same lines, try to downplay any negative emotions that you have with the photos. Instead, actively find ways to improve the photo shoot and continue to give direction.

 

Be Prepared

Being prepared for a client to be nervous before the shoot is very important but so is having a clear vision for the photo shoot. Have a plan in mind and a direction for the shoot, make sure you’re on time and have everything setup prior to your client arriving. Not only will you look more like a professional, but there will be a lack of general confusion on what the plan is for the shoot.

3 Secret Cheats for Powerful Fashion Photography

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Marissa Elman: Fashion Photography

3 Secret Cheats for Powerful Fashion Photography

If you’ve ever tried your hand at fashion photography, you’ve probably discovered that it’s not quite as easy and intuitive as you might have thought. Anyone can dress up and have their picture taken, but fashion photography is about something more — capturing the drama and movement, the mood and impression, of a wearable art form in a static image. That’s not easy, especially when beautiful clothes are made to interact with the wearer as they move about their daily lives. To produce an image that is true to the spirit of the clothes and therefore makes them interesting and desirable to the viewer, you’re going to need to think creatively and pull out all your best tricks. Here are a few simple tips that have served me well:

1. Eye Contact

The model doesn’t need to be sustaining eye contact with the viewer, but they do need to be making eye contact with something. Think about the emotional reaction you want to elicit. A model looking straight into the camera is arresting because it creates an engagement between them and the viewer. Powerful eye contact almost breaks the “fourth wall” and connects the viewer directly with the image, drawing them in.

You can also have your model look off screen, focused on something in the distance. Make sure, however, that they are actually focusing on something, no matter what it is. Viewers can tell the difference between a meaningful look and unfocused, bored eyes. Looking out of the shot creates a sense of mystery and intrigue, forcing the viewer to wonder what they see.

You can also have two models look at each other. This creates a story inside the image, and the viewer feels they are witnessing an interaction in process and must read the emotions passing between the models. It can even be somewhat voyeuristic, but it’s certainly engaging.

2. Play with the Angle

The classic fashion shot puts the photographer on a lower level, looking up at the model. This elongates the model’s body, slimming and lengthening her. It’s a great go-to shot, and a good one to have in your back pocket. Still, rules are made to be broken. The shot works well, but that means we’re also used to seeing it. Don’t be afraid to switch it up and experiment a little. Shoot from a side angle, or get up above your model on a ladder. Try having them on the edge of the shot, almost out of the frame. It’s always worth it to try, you may just hit on something great!

3. Get Moving

Remember what I said about clothes interacting with your daily movements? The best shots manage to capture that interaction in a static image. Try having your model move. They can walk, run, jump around, or just change positions and let you catch them in the act. There will be a lot of duds, but the shots that work will be much more engaging than those of a posed model. Even if you are doing a posed shot, have the model constantly shift slightly, turning their head or moving their arms and changing their expression. The viewer will get a sense of that movement, and since the model is less able to control their pose at all times, there will be a touch of candidness to the shot.

 
To keep learning how to take beautiful fashion photos, check out this 101 resource.