Additional Tips.
When it comes to posing on the ground, let me give you some bits of advice
that will improve the outcome of your sessions. The first tidbit is to pack
trash bags for the shoot—because whatever day you schedule your session
for, the grass will have been watered that day. The trashbags can be used to
provide a dry seat when posing on the ground. Dark brown or green ones are
the easiest to hide.
Next, think carefully about camera height before you shoot. Many pho-
tographers choose a camera height based on their comfort, rather than what
is best for the composition. If the client is on the ground and the photogra-
pher positions the camera at standing height, the ground becomes the back-
ground. While I do this on occasion, it typically provides a background with
little depth. In many outdoor locations, this eliminates the possibility of show-
ing much of the surroundings. It should be noted that getting down to your
subject’s level also helps to reduce the possibility of lens distortion.POSING ON THE GROUND 75Shooting from a low camera angle often al-
lows you to include more of the background.