If you took a stroll through our Grad’s group these past few weeks, you’d come to the conclusion that being isolated breeds creativity!

This week we curated a gorgeous collection of portraits with a creative twist, shot in ways that you can try without having to leave home… and it’s fair to say, they’re also a testament to the talent of our Grads!

Check em out and give them a go to bring some WOW factor to your own portraits!

 

1. Shoot Through Lace

Take a simple portrait to a whole other level through the simple use of a lace cloth. CLG Instructor Bronnie pegged a lace tablecloth over a bedroom window, sat her daughter on the edge of the nearby bed. Then she positioned herself between the window and the cloth and shot through to create these stunning creative portraits! Scroll down for the pullback shot.

2. Kitchen Sink Milk Bath

A milk bath with a difference! Milk baths have long been a thing, but usually shot in a more styled and studio like environment. Try it documentary style by filling the kitchen sink with warm water then around 1lt or so of milk until you get a colour you’re happy with.

3. Phone Illusion Portraits

Heads up! This hot trend is taking over Instagram, and we’re loving it! It’s super easy too… simple take a close up photo of your subject, then open it up on your  phone and zoom in. Or if you’re really fussy about quality, take the photo with your big camera, edit and crop it then send it to your phone.

 

Aaand you’re only limited by your imagination! Check out loads more fun ideas at #fadtothebone on Instagram.

4. Dress Ups

Dress ups, role play, costume play… whatever you call it, it’s a classic childhood game that never gets old! Some of my fondest childhood memories involve dress ups with my cousin at our grandmother’s house, who had a trunk filled with clothes from “the olden days”.

But even if you don’t have such a treasure trove of costumes, that won’t stop kids playing make believe with whatever they have, and that’s the magic of children! Capture it and be sure to print it… I don’t have any photos of that time!

Morvern added an extra layer of creativity to her photo by hanging some tiny fairy lights in front of her lens. Just make sure they’re not touching your lens because 1. they could scratch it and 2. you’ll get blown highlights.

5. A Golden Crown (fit for a royal!)

This handmade golden crown levelled up a simple portrait to something very special. And look how much she loved it! It’s hard enough to get kids interested in posing for us, so ideas like this are… well, golden.

Merissa’s golden crown recipe

This one was made with the leaves from a saw-tooth banksia, but if you don’t have one nearby, look for leaves that are sturdy, long and narrow.

Then staple them to a cardboard circle and spray them gold!

Easy peasy!

6. Paper Heart Silhouette

It doesn’t get much easier than this, yet the inclusion of some simple paper hearts levels up this window silhouette from really cute to omgcrazygood!

The trick here is to balance your exposure to see the world outdoors, whilst still retaining some detail in the shadows.

Related: How to Take a Silhouette Photo

7. Directional Light

Elevate your lighting skills with some gently dramatic natural light. Position your subject in a room with low light, and position them at a 90 degree angle to a window or doorway. The light coming in needs to be soft and gentle or your shadows will be harsh and jarring. This quality of light can be found on a cloudy day, or early or late in the day when the sun is low on the horizon and diffused by the atmosphere.

If you’re lucky and your home is awash with an abundance of light, create a cave like feel by closing off curtains and doors everywhere except that one light source. Expose for the highlights and let the shadows fall away beautifully.

A handy tip… bring some character to the shot and at the same time give your little one something to do with her hands such as squeezing her favourite softie.

Related: Dramatic Natural Light Portraits

 

Position your subject in the same way in relation to a natural light source, but this time in a well lit room for a more light and airy result.

8. Oh My Heart!

Cut a heart approximately 10cm at its widest point out of an A4 sheet of red paper. Then hold the paper in front of your lens, not touching but you’ll need to experiment with the distance between paper and lens until you frame your subject in a way that meets your own vision.

Isolate your subject and avoid clutter by ensuring they have a plain background behind them.

 

9. Magnifying Glass

We love this fun idea, and so do kids! Whether you focus on part of your subject’s face that’s not obscured by the glass, or you focus on the glass itself is up to you and the result you’re after. But whichever way you go, choose an aperture that will give you acceptable focus on both. Try f/3.5 and tweak until you get something you love!

Related: 10 Fun Kids Portraits

 

We hope you loved these fun and creative portrait ideas you can take indoors!

Join my new workshop and learn How to Shoot Pro-Quality Photos With Your DSLR… and it’s totally FREE to join! Register here…