Creating Magic Portraits

January 22nd, 2008 by Rick · No Comments · How Do I

	Greetings Fellow Photographers!Today Im going to discuss a very unique and popular product: Magic Portraits. A Magic Portrait turns an ordinary image into an extraordinary fantasy portrait, and is delivered to your online photo account as a digital file that you can use to order prints, enlargements, or other fun photo products. You can use any of your existing images to create a Magic Portrait, and there are dozens of Magic Portrait templates available, including forest, water, sky, floral, and many other scenes. With Easter right around the corner, I figured this would be a great time to not only introduce you to this creative product, but also provide some helpful tips on how to take pictures specifically for a Magic Portrait.td>

	First, browse the Magic Portrait galleries and choose the template you like best. To find the Magic Portrait galleries, log into your account, click the orange Gift tab, and click on Magic Portraits. Please note that not all online services offer Magic Portraits; if you do not see Magic Portraits on the orange tab in your account, then they are likely not available through your service.
					Once you find the template you like, examine it closely. What direction is the light coming from? Are there any shadows? If so, youll want to compose your shot so the lighting and shadows match the template as much as possible.
	Also, consider the clothing of your subject. Because these templates are fantasy scenes, you should consider clothing that will match the template. For example, shorts, sandals, and a t-shirt may not work very well if your subject will be riding a unicorn in a wintery snow scene. Consider the color themes present in your template, and design your subjects costume with those colors tones in mind.
					Finally, be sure to pose your subject appropriately, and show your subject the template you intend to use, so they can have a visual image in their mind as you photograph them. Their positioning and facial expression will only enhance your Magic Portrait.
	Magic Portraits are intended to be fantasy shots; the goal is not to convince your audience that the portrait is real, but rather to merge realism with fantasy. Shooting with the end result in mind will only enhance the final portrait, and provide you with a unique idea for a photo shoot. Remember that they make the perfect Easter gift for Grandma!

	Photography Extra Credit Take your Magic Portrait photo shoot to the next level using props and behind-the-scenes tools. You may consider using a fan to blow your subjects hair to give a windy appearance, or really spruce up the costume with other props that would be appropriate for the Magic Portrait.