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Every February, throughout the United States, millions of dollars are spent on candy, flowers, food and more, all in the name of Valentine¹s Day. The beginnings of Valentine¹s Day date back to a variety of mysterious legends, but no one can deny that it is a day for love. And while love can be defined in as many different ways as the legend itself, this day is best appreciated as the love between a couple, family or friends. What better way to express your feelings then by giving a portrait to your love one that shows the essence of their being, that they can appreciate all year long and beyond? Such a portrait shows the person that you truly care about them and that you profoundly appreciate qualities that make them unique. These portraits should not be limited to focusing on traditional romance, but are effective for capturing the inner beauty of the model.

Capturing the character of yourself or your model can be most effectively achieved through what professional photographers call an "environmental portrait". A few quick and easy tips are described below to get you started and ready for the big day. These ideas are simple, such as blurring the background or finding flattering angles, but have a huge impact on your photos. Others include finding the best features of the model, using props that can be found around the house or outside, as well as making sure that you take advantage of beautiful, natural light.
 
Despite ads showing sexual innuendoes, not every Valentine needs to be a picture of someone trying to be a sex symbol. Let¹s face it, not all of us have movie star looks! This does not really matter, though. What does matter in a great photo is capturing the essence of the person.   An environmental portrait can show the true beauty of a family member, and often the best portraits are when the warmth and personality of the sitter come through. An image with just the subject in focus and everything else a little blurry will draw the viewer¹s attention to the important part of the picture, the sitter.  The main thing to think about is that simpler is really better in most situations.

Frequently people are not very comfortable in front of the camera, so you may need to use some tricks to help the model relax. Props are an easy fix. You can use flowers, dolls, and books, anything that is near by and that the sitter can relate to. Just keeping their hands busy can make all the difference.

When photographing outside, Joyce needed something to keep Sally occupied, so she went around the yard collecting plants to put into Sally¹s hands to loosen her up. Sally was so interested in how to hold them and what they looked like, that she soon relaxed in front of the camera.

Natural lighting can also make a big difference. If you use a straight flash, the lighting is often harsh and not very appealing. Window light or using your flash on "fill" can add a very romantic feel to the image.  Use early morning or late afternoon sun streaming in when possible, just the thought will evoke a warm response. For years to come such an image can serve as a reminder of Sunday mornings with the newspaper and other quiet times that are not easy to describe in words.

Take advantage of the beautiful morning or late afternoon light for some quick portraits before the big day, and don't forget about the props!  To relax Joe, I handed him a newspaper to read. He soon ignored me and a in the early morning light, a portrait emerged that reminded his family of a lazy Sunday morning.

By keeping your background simple but including a little of the surrounding area, you set a mood.  This can easily be done by either setting the subject off to the side of the photo, or putting the subject in a doorway or favorite chair.

Placing Tina off to the side of the image to show that she is in a beautiful strawberry field reminds me of summer days.

Look for attributes about your subject that you find appealing, which capture their essence and define who they are.  Eyes, freckles, hair, a certain posture or gesture might always remind you of them and bring a smile to your face. Whenever you see Liz, it¹s hard not to notice her hair.  Having her take her hair out of the ponytail and splaying on the couch created a more intimate portrait.

Let's face it, as we age we are not always happy with all of our facial features, but we still want our loved ones to have recent pictures of us that are not 10 years old!  To make me more comfortable about hiding my "chins" I wrapped a scarf around my neck. It made all the difference in how I felt in front of the camera. Use props to make the model more comfortable.

And by all means, don¹t forget the household pet. The family cat or dog is not only meaningful to the characterization of the model, but also can contribute to a more relaxed energy in the final image. The adored pet can make for a fun, relaxed, portrait that included everyone and evokes a wonderful feeling.

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