Have you ever wondered what makes a photo stand out and stir certain emotions in you when you look at it? Of course, photos of your family and places you love will naturally give you the warm and fuzzies or leave you in awe but there are also very specific elements in great photos that help bring them to life and make you take a second look. Here are six elements that create a stunning photo according to Seattle Family Photographer, Emily Ann.

1. Lighting. When a photograph has beautiful lighting it gives the image a certain mood and highlights the important aspects of a photo. Light is an incredible tool so using natural light from an open window or door or even a soft artificial light can make all the difference. But my favorite will ALWAYS be that big ball of fire in the sky! The best time to shoot hands down, is the hour before the sunset – which we lovingly refer to as “golden hour.”

2. Backdrops. While focusing on a specific person in a photo is how we naturally take photos, that person is only a part of the greater whole. Your background and any other objects in a photo all make up the structure and scene that draw you into that moment. I feel so lucky to be a Seattle family and infant photographer with the stunning backdrops available to us in nature! Living in the Pacific Northwest we are so lucky to have so many beautiful backdrops to take photos in Seattle, Shoreline, Edmonds, and beyond!

3. Textures. A good quality photo will have different textures for you to enjoy. Look at this stunning texture in this photo of a family at Discovery Park in Seattle, WA. As a family photographer I am looking for interesting texture in the backdrop (long golden grass) and encourage you to add texture in your wardrobe. Here, even the wind creates gorgeous texture and movement in the photo.

4. Perspective. Sometimes the most beautiful photos are taken from a different perspective such as getting down to a toddler’s level at a birthday party or taking a shot of a tall building by looking all the way up from a street corner. I definitely get a workout in during your family or infant photoshoot as I’m constantly running and squatting to capture your precious moments from all angles.

5. Colors. Play with colors when you take photos, match them up or emphasize specific colors to draw the eye to a certain detail in a picture.

6. The moment. Capturing a moment that will never happen again makes for incredible photos.

Photography isn’t only for the professionals. Everyone has the ability to take a great photo by focusing on a few simple elements, getting creative and being ready to capture something beautiful or everywhere you go.

However, I DO believe that every family deserves gorgeous, professional photographs several times throughout their lives! If you are a Shoreline, Edmonds, Seattle, or Redmond family looking for a photographer to capture your family in a gorgeous way, I’d love for you to book a session today!