As a photographer, I always strive to take the best pictures I can for my clients. Whether it is senior pictures, wedding photos, street photography, or even photos for blog posts, every photographer has their own style and focus! However, it takes talent and so much hard work to have your photos turn out appealing to the eye and stick out to your targeted audiences. Here are some awesome tips to help create the best pictures you can!

1. Find a great camera!

You never want to pay too much for a camera if you can receive the same quality for something cheaper. In fact, l have seen some absolutely fantastic photos just with an iPhone! Use whatever resources you have to create your best.

2. Pay attention to the background!

This factor is one of the most important when it comes to photography. People tend to neglect what is in the background and solely focus on their main point in the picture. Even if you have a beautiful person or flower in your picture, but there is an ugly trash can in the background, it's going to look really bad!

3. Lighting, lighting, lighting!

As you can see in the picture above, most of the light is on the top of the peony. Lighting is so important because having a dark picture can hinder you seeing whatever is in it. Also, if you end up having a picture that is too bright, (overexposure) you won't be able to see your main focus or the important details.

4. What is your main focus in the picture?

Try to make just one object or person your focus and most obvious item in the picture. As seen above, I took the Statue of Liberty and enhanced it by pulling all the focus toward it with using a dramatic blue sky to enhance its beauty!

5. If it's a flat lay, negative space is okay!

Negative space in a photo is wherever there aren't objects or people, and it is okay to have that in a picture! You never want your photos to be too busy or draw attention from what you are trying to gather focus to. Also, you want to make sure your lay out for a flat lay is appealing to the eye!

6. Find a great editing tool for after the photo session

Although taking the pictures is the main job when it comes to photography, I have always said that editing is 70% of the job and actually taking the picture is only 30% of the job. The editing process is where all the magic happens, and you will definitely want to find a great app or program to use! I tend to use VSCO or Lightroom for my editing and I have found them to look the most natural and beautiful!

7. Use a watermark!

For every photo I take I always like to make it mine! Designing a creative watermark that is original and all you is the best way to show the world your photography and claim it as yours. Plus, it also keeps people from taking your photos and making them theirs!