Q: How should I combine photos of my kids with photos of objects?
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A: This is such a great question. Often times we only want to photograph or print the photographs that have people in them. But sometimes the objects (toys, food, paint, bubbles, shoes, etc) can be just as telling and instructive about our daily lives – what we love, what we do, how we do it.
It can pose a bit of a challenge for how to combine the portraits with the still life’s when it comes to photo book layouts. Typically, I like to combine similar photographs to a spread. In these examples, I want to show how combining objects and faces on a layout can work.
Here are a couple of strategies for you to consider. To test these strategies, I used this grouping of photos.
[1]
Group your similar photos together.
In this scenario, group your portraits together and group your objects together. This option provides a clean break between the two different types of photographs. By bridging the center line of the page, I’m subtly suggesting there is more of a blur or crossover than the initial grouping suggests.
[2]
Mix your photos.
To mix the photographs together, I’m using a collage-board type layout. The object photos are interspersed with the portraits. In this set-up, there is no hierarchy or preference between the two different types of photographs.
[3]
Use negative space to separate your photos.
I used negative space in this layout to separate or segregate the photos. To play a little bit with the layouts (don’t want to be too rigid!), I mixed the types of photographs together to heighten certain connections and relationships. Grouping in this way tells a different story.
[4]
Use scale to isolate or group.
Finally, one option is to use scale to create distance. This is an easy way to feature the photograph you want to show, in this case a portrait, but also reveal the other aspects that inform the portrait.
Now, I’d love to hear from you. Leave a comment below with your favorite layout. I need help trying to decide which one should go in my photo book!
