By now I am sure you have all heard of the popular motivational quote "romanticize your life".
Romanticizing your life can be as simple as putting your favorite seltzer water in a wine glass or as far as channeling main character energy in every thing you do. This trend has taken over REELs and TikTok via 'Day In The Life' vlogs or motivational/inspiring tips & tricks videos. The trend has now found its way into photography under the name "Cinematic Photography".
The cinematic photography trend began to gain traction in 2024; however, more and more we are seeing clients seeking out photographers who can make a gallery feel as if its a collection of stills from a movie. Wether the clients are inspired by the iconic hand scene from Pride & Prejudice (2005) or love the artistic blocking/posing of a Wes Anderson film—the key for us photographers to achieve the look of cinematic photography is to blend filmmaking artistry with still imagery.
In today's journal post we are going to be highlighting cinematic photography captured by members of the REFINED Co. community to provide inspiration along with some of our tips and tricks on how to capture cinematic photos.
What Is Cinematic Photography?
Cinematic photography is achieved by effortlessly blending filmmaking artistry with still imagery. The photos should evoke the feeling of a candid snapshot instead of a posed portrait. Even if the subjects were posed for the photo, the pose should be a form of natural movement and feel authentic.
Remember that almost every aspect of movies are staged, plotted, and posed. It is a form of practiced and rehearsed art, so don't give yourself tunnel vision by believing every shot needs to be candid.
Capturing The Shot
As a photographer it is your role to utilize light, shadow, composition, and framing techniques to achieve that movie feel. Studying the color grading and light compositions of movies you find inspiring and align with your personal photography aesthetic will help you train your eye for in the moment inspiration at sessions.
While location will play a vital role in achieving a cinematic aesthetic, it is not always up to us as photographers where the photos are taken (especially for weddings). Preparation is key and being able to be creative on the spot will help you capture the shot greatly.
An easy framing technique to achieve a cinematic photography aesthetic is to prioritize horizontal photos where the subjects are smaller within the frame and surrounded by the landscape. Movies are all shot horizontally which is why this is such an easy way to emulate a movie still feel to your photography.
Embracing Movement For Cinematic Photography
Don't shy away from a blurry moment. A big part of the cinematic photography trend has been blurry photos—specifically where the subjects are blurred and the background is in focus. Sprinkling a few of these photos into your gallery will add dimension.
Not every photo where your subjects are moving need to be blurred. Add a tasteful amount to the gallery and keep the rest crisp and in focus. Prioritize creative poses and layouts to maintain the filmic imagery.
*Pro Tip: Give your clients a task instead of a pose. Ask your clients to walk towards or away from you, tell the groom to chase the bride and tickle her, have the father dance with his daughter, etc. All of these tasks will help you capture authentic movements from your clients.
Edit With REFINED Co. Film Inspired Presets
While the shot itself is the most important aspect of capturing a cinematic feeling, how you edit your images is the cherry on top for achieving the cinematic photography aesthetic.
Our film inspired presets are the perfect tool to achieve the cinematic aesthetic on your images. REFINED Co. has in total 8 collections inspired by a variety of Fuji and Kodak film scans.
Find the one perfect for you: SHOP NOW
Share your cinematic photography with us on Instagram and in our Facebook Community Group. We would love to feature you!
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