Illustrated Guide to Taking a Biog Photo

Lancashire Life asked me to provide a biog photo to go with my new blog on their website - www.lancashire.greatbritishlife.com – after two hours in our bush paddock I’d learnt nothing new.

Equipment

Here are all the requirements for a professional shoot, which you can do yourself at home. You may find a hairbrush helps, depending on wind direction and manageability on the day. A mirror – even Kate Moss has to practise what face she’s going to pull. A doll – the camera may need something to 'pull focus' on while you ‘set up the shot’. And it’s company.

Background

For the country look down under, wood stacks, corrugated water tanks and gum trees are the go.

The Shoot

Try a range of expressions – contemplation, meditation, relaxation, slight constipation, humour, friendly.

Find your 'good side' and stick to it.

And poses - Marilyn Monroe, Miss Moneypenny.
You may find you're not a 'natural' Marilyn Monroe. Don't worry.






Try Some Props
Hens – the natural prop in country life. Here’s some things you might not know about them:

Hens can run very fast. They're smart and split up when being chased. Switching to a different hen will accomplish nothing. They’re all bloody fast. A hen’s rate of acceleration as you bend down to grasp a handful of tail feathers is very difficult to calculate but has a direct bearing upon your downward trajectory and the force with which you hit the ground. Hens pant when they’ve been running hard. So do you.

And finally, hens are rubbish at having their photo taken.

Dogs are crap too.

Alpacas aren’t much better.

You should blow your alpaca's nose

before taking his photograph.

Try still life animals, or better still, stuffed. They can be distracting.

Perhaps the solo biog shot is best after all.

Two hours and over a hundred shots later, you might just get a useable one,

if you're very, very lucky.

It'll be the other side from the one you've been photographing all day.

Got any tips for the 'professional' shoot conducted by a mummy blogger based in the home environment or yard? Click on the 'comments' link below and leave your thoughts!