A Guideline For A Successful yoga photography Session
Like Everything In Life Preparation Is The Key To Success; Preparing For Yoga Photography Shouldn't Be Different.
A List Of Postures!
I honestly believe that the best photos of yoga are the ones where the yogi felt comfortable in the posture. Have a list of as many main postures you can think of and a few variations, don’t complicate, don’t try to impress with postures your body isn’t fully built into doing, as strain will show easily in the photo.
The outfit can be a key for a great photo session, yoga fashion isn’t a new term and all yogis have their unique style. From my personal experience, colours and patterns on leggings work best.
Keep in mind that Black will swallow the shadows and fade the depth, therefore I don't recommend it.
Bring a few different outfits to choose from.
One will be more suitable in a specific location and another somewhere else.
Another point to remember is that yoga photos are all about the body, the muscles, and the twists. With that in mind, try to use outfits that are like a second skin, no loose shirts that will hide a backbend or your face in an inversion.
Be creative, if you want to wear a fancy hat, or a fancy dress, who knows what these combinations will bring, trust your creative mind.
Yoga Mats
Yoga mats? Is not a must, definitely not in every photo but if you have sensitive feet /hands, remember bringing one, especially on the urban exploring.
Makeup
Makeup? I find that all yogis look amazing natural, but if you do feel to have a touch of makeup, keep it light and simple.
Hair Hair Hair
Hair, some have more some have less… If you do have long hair make sure to have hairband or hairpins to keep it at bay and off your beautiful face because it’s not only about the yoga it’s also about you and you are beautiful.
Location Location Location!
It can be the key to a great photography session. The best locations for an outdoor yoga photography session is the ones you feel a connection with, but not only: nature is an easy choice, the urban landscape, local monuments and places of history can add a nice edge.
Weather
I tend to bring the sun wherever I go, but the weather can be unpredictable, but if the date is set and you keep a happy playful spirit, even on a rainy day a rainbow of opportunities can arise!
The photo below was taken in Zurich, Switzerland in December, it was supposed to be raining.
Trust Your Photographer
It’s useful to have expectations and to communicate them. It’s great to have an idea of what type of photos you wish, that you look online or in yoga magazines and share your vision beforehand.
But have faith in your photographer, and remember why you chose him or her.
If you have postures requiring a specific alignment, you should share it, As each teaching of yoga has different alignments, it might be hard to know all of them.
Try to remember that there is no "perfect" alignment, and "imperfections" won't make a photo less than great, we all have different levels of yoga, flexibility, and shape and we embrace it all.
Please don't ask to see every image after it was taken, it will waste a great amount of time that can be used to take more photos.
Also, I can do yoga on water, which is considered a miracle by some.
Safety
It's is absolutely important to me that you understand that...
No Photo Is Worth Physically Hurting Yourself.
So be careful on your footing, don't overstrain your body, and remember to smile.
Keeping High Spirit Really Helps.
Keeping high spirit really helps. Weather is tricky, conditions change, roads get closed and other things might happen – regardless, the show must go on!
Get Excited!
It’s a fun experience set all about playfulness and joy. When you see a funky opportunity, take it. You just remembered a cool posture you saw on Instagram and wanted to try, go for it. Just remember to breathe, smile and enjoy the time in front of the camera.
