A Shooting Technique to Create Stunning Photos

We can be our fiercest critics sometimes. And, precisely for this reason when I started noticing that my photographs were lacking that ‘wow’ factor, I decided to up the game and add that extra special sauce to them. I then discovered the concept of ‘shooting through’. This simple technique is exactly what it sounds like, and is all about shooting through various objects that appear between your camera and your subject. Now, these objects can be either artificially introduced in the scene or strategically used from their natural setting while you are taking a photograph. I have used glasses, crystals, tree leaves, plants and candles to create effects in my photos.

The beauty of the ‘shoot through’ technique is that it adds a whole another dimension to the photos and allows the subject to be framed gorgeously. It also makes for amazing textures in the photograph which are otherwise hard to add organically. You could use photo editing software to add them, but if you can add textures in-camera, without any editing, then why not?

All you have to do is:

Bring that object as close to your lens as possible
Recompose
Focus on your subject
Click the shutter.

One thing to keep in mind while using this technique is that this technique works best if you keep your aperture to the widest (meaning f/2 and lower ) and if you use high focal length lenses (50mm and above). The reason is that a high aperture and high focal length creates a creamy bokeh in the foreground, which is what adds that beautiful texture and framing to your subject.

Let me explain what I mean by showing a few examples here.

LEFT: Photo of the shoes with a mini flower pot. RIGHT: Photo of the shoes shot through the flower pot.

EXIF data (same for both): 85mm, f/3.2, 1/100, ISO 2000

From my engagement sessions:

This photo of the couple was shot through the mustard field flowers

This photo of the engagement ring was shot through a burning candle in the votive

And, one of my favorites, this photo of the baby was shot through her mom’s red shawl/stole. I got really close with my 85mm and was able to frame her beautiful face.

Blog | Instagram|

After working on Wall Street for nearly a decade, I finally took the plunge of pursuing my dream job – being a wedding photographer. Meeting couples, getting to know them and their beautiful love story, and then to have the honor of documenting the most beautiful day in their lives has been the most rewarding experience of being a wedding photographer. I look for inspiration in classic Hollywood glamour, design, fashion and architecture, and this allows me to create beautiful moments with a unique style.

I am a Foodie, who loves to travel. Can watch re-re-re-runs of Seinfeld and still laugh at those dialogues. Strongly believe that a determined heart with clear intentions can achieve anything.

Mother to two adorable toddlers, and wife to the most wonderful man I know.

Hope this helps! And, don’t be afraid to experiment and play around with this technique.