Yep.  ONE THING.

Even if you don’t have a “fancy camera”.

Even if you only use your point and shoot.

Listen here.  I’m even talking to those who ONLY use their phone’s camera.

Just this ONE thing will improve your photography.  Every.  Single.  Time.

REMOVE THE CLUTTER FROM THE BACKGROUND 

Here’s an example of Josie eating cereal on a random weekday.  I positioned her so that she was nearer to the window and getting side light.  One reason for that was because of the light.  The other reason?  If she was sitting on the side of the island where she usually sits?  Behind her would be pantry doors, our ‘mail drop counter + charging station’, microwave and door to the garage.

In some cases, clutter is fine.  Maybe even great.  Many times clutter adds to the story.  But sometimes it distracts the viewer and pulls the eye away from what’s most important.  In this instance, I wanted to show how a toddler eats cereal.  My main idea was that action of her eating.

The story was “this is how my kid eats cereal”.

The story was NOT “this is my kid eating cereal in the kitchen”.

Here is what I started with and my first shot.

 

I removed the items from the counter.

 

 

I still see the toaster and decided to push that out of view as well.

 

 

Keep in mind, that if you’re not able to clear the clutter.  Say….maybe….it’s not your house or your out in public and you’d look weird rearranging the restaurant…

Another idea?

Move in super close and catch those details. 

 

 

And there you have it.  An actual game changer in your photography.  Watch the clutter and remove it.  One way to do that is to move in super close.

Happy shooting!  I’d love to hear how it goes for you!