If you have a hard to buy for teenager and you just can’t figure out what to buy them for Christmas or you’re like me and wait until the last minute to buy Christmas gifts, this post is here to help. I’ve put together a list of sites that will make your procrastination pay off while giving your loved ones a gift that they will enjoy and is guaranteed to be the right size.

Audible
If you have someone on your list that loves books but doesn’t have the time to sit down and read them, then Audible is a great option. Audible is like a library for your ears, it lets you download books and listen to them while on the go.

Magazines
I still enjoy sitting down with a magazine from time to time and flipping through pages. And I’m sure that there is someone on your list that is the same way. At magazines.com you can give a gift that will let them choose the magazine they have been wanting to pickup at the supermarket but just didn’t want to pay the news stand price.

Netflix
For the person on your list that would much rather watch a movie or a television show than read a book. Netflix lets them do just that and it can be accessed from just about anywhere, as long as there is an internet connection.

Fandango
For the movie goer on your list, because there are times that you just have to see a movie on the big screen, Fandango is the answer. You can purchase tickets for movies playing at local movie theaters without waiting in long lines at the theater.

Ticketmaster
For the music lover who enjoys the rush of being there live. The feeling of the bass shaking their chest and yelling at the top of your lungs to talk to your friend standing right next to you, then Ticketmaster is the way to go.

iTunes
Not having a voice and saying “WHAT!” all day after the concert may no appeal to everyone, so iTunes solves that problem. As a bonus this gift can also be used to purchased a few cool apps as well as your favorite artist’s latest single.

Mosaic
For the person that would like an easy way to get their photos from their smart phone to a printed book. Mosaic is an app the lets you go through and pick pictures that you want and have them printed in a book. Then it’s delivered to your home in about a week.

Amazon
Don’t forget the place to find just about everything. Amazon gives the ability to get almost anything you wanted but didn’t get for Christmas.

I know some people think that gift cards don’t have any thought put into them. But if you get a gift card from a place that really fits the person personality and their interest, I feel that it can have as much though as any other gift.

Tip for the photographer behind the camera:
Fashion Designer
This might fall into the previous tip “Be a Guide”. I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not known for my style or knowledge of the latest fashion trend. But I try to at least know what my clients like and I learn something new every time I photograph another high school senior. Use Pinterest to help keep your-self in the fashion know. Help your subject to choose their outfits.

Tip for the model in front of the camera:
Extra Clothes
Bring more out fits then you think you will need for the session. Ask the photographer for help you put outfits together. The photographer should know what looks good on camera and giving them more to work with will improve the quality of the images that y’all do that day.

This tip is a short one.

Tip for the photographer behind the camera:
Be A Guide
It is the job of the photographer to help the subject look their very best. It order to do this we as photographers have to be able to guide them into a pose that is flattering but does not make the model feels self-confidence. And remember, sometimes the best way to guide them is to show them. Don’t be afraid to pose the way you want them in so they know exactly what you’re looking for.

Tip for the model in front of the camera:
Posture
Try to remember to keep good posture. Good posture is viewed as confident.

On a little side note if the photographer gets in the pose to show you what they want it’s okay to laugh, especially if the photographer is a guy posing like a girl.

This is week number five. I’m having a harder time coming up with tips for in front of the camera than I thought.

Tip for the photographer behind the camera:
Know your gear.
Fumbling with your camera and lights while the model is waiting on the other side of the camera is not going to make a very good impression. It will also cause your credibility as a professional to drop very quickly. If your subject has even the smallest amount of nervousness it will be increased exponentially.

Tip for the model in front of the camera:
Make Suggestions.
Feel free to tell the photographer what you have in mind for the photographs. You may have already talked a little about what you wanted or had in mind before the photo session. But there may be some thing or someplace during the session that sparks an idea. By keeping a good line of communication between photographer and model it will help the creativity flow and grow, resulting in some great photos that really bring out who you are.

I’m on a roll, I made it to week number four. If you have any questions about photography please feel to comment or contact me and I’ll do my best to answer any questions.

Tip for the photographer behind the camera:
Know your subject.
Find out as much as you can about your subject before the day of the session. I ask all my high school seniors to fill out a questionnaire when they first book me. This way I get to know a little more about them ahead of time. This also give me a chance to bring their favorite drink on the day of their photo shoot. The more you know about the subject you’re photographing the better the shoot will go. This is not only for photo shoots involving people, knowing your subject works for all type of photography. Landscape photographers have to know where the sun is going to be at the time of the session so they will have the best light.

Tip for the model in front of the camera:
Bring Props.
Props will help bring out your personality while adding a special memory to the photo session. The more unique the prop the better it is, at least I think so. The shot below was fun because Abigail wanted her dog, Tootsie, in the photos as well as her new shotgun (Sorry, I didn’t get the name of the shotgun.)

Well that’s it for now; and remember if you have any question please don’t hesitate to send them in.