If you’re photographing portraits, there is a HUGE difference between and good shot and a great shot. Even if you are technically brilliant, the “magic” only comes when you can really connect with your subject and ensure they are posing in a way that’s natural – but that looks amazing. As photographers we can’t blame our subjects if they feel awkward or nervous. It’s our job to direct them to achieve the best possible shot. It’s also about choosing the right environment to suit. In this episode, Gina and Valerie discuss the 7 deadly posing sins – and how to avoid them. You’ll discover what to do with awkward hands, how to choose the right backgrounds, how to get the right expression in a subject’s eyes, and much more. This week’s theme for #ginachallenge is “deadly sins”! Click play to listen to the podcast or find it on iTunes here. If...

May I take your picture? Have you ever walked past a complete stranger and thought: “Wow I’d love to photograph that person, they look incredible”? How many times have you acted on that impulse? Asking a stranger to do something for us isn’t easy, even for the most confident person. We’re all afraid of being rejected or looking silly. What will other people think about us? “You don’t ask, you don’t get.” This was my dad’s favourite saying and the secret of getting what you want is A. Asking B. How you ask. At a recent workshop I was running, I asked two of my students to approach a complete stranger and ask to take their portrait. One of the students came back with an amazing shot. The other with nothing. Why? The difference was all in the asking. Here’s what they each said to the stranger: Student A said:...