Who does not love love? There is something special when you come across scenes that make you feel hopeful, and the ability to capture love through objects or people is the best way to evoke this feeling. In a time when things are seen to be going wrong around the world, photographs of love and connection can truly make an impact on viewers, especially those who are struggling to feel loved. As Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, we thought about how you can leverage this occasion to create visuals that will add to your portfolio and make the process of photography even more enjoyable.
The first suggestion we have is to scout places. You can start right away and see which places are likely to be lively. We do not mean the commercialization of Valentine’s Day, but rather, we mean places like parks or open spaces where people may come together to spend some time. Once you have the place locked in, you will have to wait patiently and observe. For instance, Times Square is a place that is likely for several couples, both young and older couples around, to celebrate sometime. There are also places like subways where you can find quiet moments, which may also be somewhat cinematic.
However, while you take pictures, keep your eyes and heart open. This is one of the crucial parts of capturing a city in love. You may seem that the day is almost coming to an end, but you have not found a perfect shot. But worry not; the night is young, and there will be plenty of opportunities for you to capture a good photograph.
So, now that we have the place, what are the things that you must photograph? Well, we leave that up to you because this is your day. An example is the works of Robert Doisneau, who captured Le baiser de l’hôtel de ville (The Kiss by the Hôtel de Ville), which is one of the most iconic images of everyday life. You need to let the moment unfold. However, never try to compete with the works of masters. Instead, learn from them. By that, I mean you don’t have to feel upset if you don’t get a Doisneau-like photograph. However, you can learn how he was able to capture the moment through his framing.
While photographing couples would be the most obvious option, you can actually look around to see how the city changes. The color red is dominant, with balloons and flowers being some of the objects that you see around. You can take a moment and capture the things that make Valentine’s Day so great. The non-human aspect is also a way to shift your viewer’s perspective and make them see things that usually go unnoticed. You can also utilize the opportunity to document the service sector that works around the clock. For instance, florists or gift shops. This way, you can also highlight how certain events are utilized to get financial profit. At the same time, you can also chronicle the aftermath of Valentine’s Day. For instance, roses or other memorabilia on the road or discarded elsewhere.
If you want to make this even better, you can also offer your service to some. Tell them you are a photographer and, perhaps, provide a quick print of the image. This way, you can learn about them and create photographs that go beyond the surface. An example would be Meet Cutes NYC, an Instagram page that interacts with couples. It is really heartwarming to see so many stories up close.
Another way to achieve this is by taking photo shoots, such as boudoir or family photoshoots. This may be a little late to get right now, but you can always put a message out on your social media to get volunteers. You can use your creativity to explore how you wish to portray the idea of love and challenge yourself further.
Overall, there are varied ways you can capture the beauty of Valentine’s Day, but you need to ensure you are documenting these moments with authenticity, care, and empathy. Otherwise, no matter how great the photograph, it is likely to feel incomplete.