Ideas for photos with an umbrella

Published: 05.10.2021

Prop - an important component of any photoshoot, it helps to make accents, decorate, and complement the photo. An umbrella is a great prop not only for rainy weather. Umbrellas can be used in sunny weather to create shadows, they are used for beach photoshoots and to complement the model's look. A bright umbrella, matching the color of the clothing, will adorn any photograph, help occupy the hands, and create a mood in the frame. In the rain, an umbrella is essential as it will protect the hairstyle and makeup from unfavorable weather conditions. In general, feel free to use umbrellas for photoshoots. And how you can creatively use them for photos, we will discuss in this article.

Several ideas on how to use an umbrella for photography

girl in yellow boots and with a yellow umbrella

1. Choose an umbrella to match the color of your rubber boots and confidently stride through the puddles. The splashes from raindrops and puddles will be interestingly reflected in the camera lens, creating dynamics in the photo. If you're lucky and the sun comes out after the rain, you can capture the reflection of a rainbow in the water droplets.

2. Experiment with the position of the umbrella. Raise it up as if taking off. Ask the model to coyly peek out from behind the umbrella or cover part of her body with it. In summery rainy weather, the model can walk barefoot through puddles, with her body hidden behind the umbrella. This way, the photo will have a sense of mystery, leaving people wondering whether the girl is naked or not, sparking their curiosity about what is hidden behind the umbrella.

The model is holding the umbrella as if it is about to fly away

3. A umbrella looks especially appropriate in the autumn time. Even if there is no rain outside, the umbrella will still come in handy. Ask the model to tense their arms and hold the umbrella with force, in the photo it will create the feeling of strong wind. You can also fill the umbrella with leaves and turn it upside down - as a result, you will get a photograph with a beautiful cascade of leaves. Instead of leaves, you can use confetti or glitter.

A girl with a bright umbrella on the beach

4. In the summer, a beach umbrella is an indispensable helper. With its help, you can hide from the bright sun and achieve an interesting shadow effect. Choose a swimsuit or pareo in the color of the umbrella, this combination will look stylish and harmonious.

5. The umbrella looks not only bright, but also romantic, use it to create Love Story style photos. Take pictures of a couple kissing in the rain, or of a guy holding an umbrella over a girl to keep her from getting wet, such photos look cute and touching. The umbrella will also come in handy for a wedding photoshoot during rain. A bride with a white lace umbrella looks gentle and romantic.

6. The umbrella looks attractive not only when open, but also when folded. A walk with a umbrella-cane will add charm to photos, you can lean on it or use it as an accessory to your outfit.

7. Create special effects using an umbrella. Attach a smoke bomb to its handle and light the fuse. You will get a photo with colorful smoke coming out of the umbrella. Such a photo looks original and very striking.

8. Use an umbrella as a light source. To do this, attach foil to the inside of the umbrella, and attach a radio-controlled flash to the handle. Change the position of the umbrella depending on which part of the photo you need to illuminate. This homemade light source is perfect for portrait photography.

9. Create a fairy-tale mood using an umbrella and a garland. You will need a transparent umbrella, to the inner side of which you need to attach a Christmas garland. Do not use flash to achieve an interesting light effect, only use the light from the garland when shooting.

10. Shadow effect using an umbrella. Take a transparent umbrella and stick strips of dark tape to it. During portrait shooting, an original striped shadow will fall on the model's face. You can use stickers of any shape: stars, leaves, hearts, flowers, etc. By placing a strong light source behind the umbrella or positioning it in front of the sun, you can capture beautiful silhouettes.

The city lights are reflected on the umbrellas

11. Get reflected light in your photo using an umbrella. A black umbrella will help make flat light more contrasty, while a light umbrella is good to use as a light reflector.

12. Several umbrellas, photographed from above, will create an interesting effect in the photo, showing the image from an unusual angle. It looks especially interesting to see a large crowd of people with umbrellas of different colors.

Using an umbrella as a photography equipment

Umbrellas are used not only as props and accessories, but also as professional equipment for photo studios. With the help of an umbrella, bright light from a camera flash is diffused, unwanted glares and shadows are removed, and light is evenly distributed, allowing for higher quality photos to be taken.

There are photo umbrellas for diffusion and reflection. The first ones allow light to pass through, making it softer and warmer, while the second ones allow you to take photos without harsh shadows. A golden umbrella gives the model's skin a sun-kissed tone. A silver umbrella creates contrast and allows you to achieve a lighting effect indoors that resembles sunlight.

In addition to the photo zone, the studio uses a stand, a camera flash, and a special bracket for their attachment. To take a good shot using the photo zone, the following actions need to be performed:

Adjust the lighting power manually;
Measure the force of the light pulse;
Set the appropriate exposure and aperture in the camera settings, depending on the amount of light in the room.
Take a few test photos and evaluate the difference in light reflection in the pictures.
Adjust the light level and shadow intensity using an umbrella.

There are compact photo zones that can be used not only in a photo studio, but also taken with you for a photoshoot in nature. Such equipment will be especially useful if you are shooting during the daytime in bright sunlight.

Experiment with the sizes, colors of umbrellas, their placement, try different compositions in photos. With experience, you will understand how to best use an umbrella to get great shots. And always take an umbrella in rainy weather, it will protect not only the model from getting wet, but also your equipment. You can save the best photos with an umbrella by printing them in a Light album or ordering a photo book.