How to Take Pictures at Prom

Keep in mind the portability of the camera you plan to use; a bulky camera is distracting and difficult to carry.

Prom night is a touchstone event that marks the end of high-school life. Whether you're putting the final touches on your look, greeting your date or dancing on the dance floor, prom night can be hectic and you can forget to take photographs. As a result, it's easy to get distracted and forget to capture your memories with photographs. Planning in advance can help you budget the time necessary to making sure you record the special moments of your prom.

Things You'll Need

• Camera
• Diffuser (optional)
• Memory card case (optional)
• Extra memory cards (optional)

Instructions

1. Familiarize yourself with your camera. Read the manual and be familiar with how to operate your flash and how to set the self-timer to capture shots when no one is around to assist you.

2. Isolate your subjects. Create some distance between the subjects of your photograph and the background, whether it is a wall or tree or some other object.

3. Turn the "force flash" option on in the settings menu of your camera, if it includes this feature, for outside pictures to better capture eyes and soften shadows on the face.

4. Use natural shadow when taking photographs outside to further soften shadows while "force flash" is turned on.

5. Soften the flash while on the dimly lit dance floor by using a diffuser or simply covering the flash with an empty translucent memory card case.

6. Pose with friends and your date and set the self timer. Alternately, ask a friend to take a picture of you and your date posing and offer to do the same in return.

7. Experiment with angles by rotating the camera to a vertical position for tall shots and taking a shot from an off-angle.

Tips & Warnings

• Bring plenty of extra memory cards to ensure you do not run out prematurely and miss a big chunk of the night.

• Document you preparations such as picking your dress, putting on make-up, picking up flowers and so on to capture your excitement leading up to prom.

• Choose a lightweight, highly portable camera so you can keep it on your person at all time and quickly access it when you see a moment you want to capture.

References

• Seventeen: Take Great Prom Pictures
• Smile Books: Tips for Making the Perfect Prom Photo Book
• Take Great Pictures: Photo Tips for Prom