Taking a good photo is one thing. Transforming it into something memorable is another. When you're working in less-than-ideal conditions, knowing how to make the most of a scene can set your work apart. Sometimes, all it takes is a subtle shift in approach to turn a standard shot into a stunning one.
Coming to you from Katelyn James, this helpful video demonstrates a technique that can elevate your photos by adjusting the composition. James showcases this method through behind-the-scenes footage from a real wedding shoot. She begins by sharing a straightforward idea: getting down low to change your angle. It sounds simple, but this shift can dramatically alter how the scene appears. For instance, lowering your perspective can help transform a mundane setting into something more dynamic by utilizing elements like a hillside or clouds as natural lead lines. This is especially useful when the location itself doesn’t provide strong visual elements.
James emphasizes that the key to making this approach work is in understanding composition. By lowering her angle, she was able to eliminate distractions like a plain field and instead use the hills and sky to create a cleaner, more impactful shot. This type of composition can be powerful because it draws the viewer’s eye directly to the subject, with negative space working to emphasize the couple. It’s not about making drastic changes—sometimes, simplifying the scene by removing busy or cluttered elements can make all the difference.
Another interesting aspect covered in the video is the concept of “go home happy shots.” For James, these are the photos she feels excited to take back, edit, and deliver. They need to have the right mix of natural posing, good light, and strong composition. Through the example of the wedding shoot, she highlights how subtle changes, like shifting the couple’s positioning or adjusting the angle, helped her achieve this balance. Sometimes, zooming in can compress the background, giving a more polished look, but that alone may not create the impact you want. Adjusting your position and angle can make an ordinary scene feel intentional and visually striking. That's just the start, so check out the video above for the full rundown from James.
