Backgrounds

Backgrounds are what the jewelry usually sits on or is positioned in front of. There are only a few backgrounds that work well for B&W photographs, but for color there literally thousands of possibilities. Backgrounds can complement, contrast, set a mood, tell a story, enhance a look, or if the wrong one is used, destroy a photo. Many simpler and more successful backgrounds I keep on hand. They are available to use at a slight additional charge. Other backgrounds can be quite exotic, creative, and expensive. If you are looking for that unique look and have the budget, I can find the background you need.

Props

Props are elements that add to a picture's symbolic story telling. They can help set a mood, create a stylish image, and tell of an event. For example adding bows and candy canes to a photo tells you its Christmas. A rose speaks of love, daffodils of Spring, candy hearts of Valentines day, but each adds an additional message to a photograph. A few common props I keep on hand but most need to be located and acquired for a photo. Props, like backgrounds, can cost little or add a great deal to the bottom line.

Shadows

A third element that adds to creating a unique look is shadows. Shadows have a technical aspect in a photo in that it give us a sense of texture and depth. But we also have an emotional and symbolic experience with shadows. Shadows form soft window light, at sunset, a theatrical spot light, or an approaching thunder storm, all remind us of a past experience and something we felt. Recreating these shadow effects can make a photograph more dramatic, romantic, or cheery. The shadow is another of our story telling elements that can be controlled in a photograph.