If you’re looking for a holiday gift to make with your camera this is a great one. I’m putting it out there now because Thanksgiving is coming and you may see someone then that’s an ideal and meaningful subject for this. (I’ve found that you can knock off about half of your Christmas gift list with your camera at a Thanksgiving family gathering—think about it.)

The photos here speak for themselves. In this case, you need nine pictures that need to be visually diverse. Serious. Funny. She’s picking her nose in one. The back of her head. Diversity makes this work. It’s not that easy to come up with nine different photos.

Here are a few ways to get something different.

If your subject does ANYTHING goofy push the button. Don’t ask questions.

Direct the subject if you need to. Say things like “be totally serious” or “give me a great big laugh”. Unexpected things happen when you direct people; be prepared to push the button when they don’t follow directions. They will often do things that are better than what you had in mind but you have to push the button and go with the flow.

The profile shots help in the layout. Tell your subject to look at an object in the direction you want them to look. Look at that doorknob over there or look at the flowers is what I’m talking about.

As always, it’s better to do this kind of thing when you are the only two people in the room.

I’m not going to go into how you edit nine pictures into one picture—that’s another conversation. But the fun part here is how to layout the photographs. Where do the profiles go? Where does the finger in the nose picture go? (There may not be one in your version.) There’s a flow to a layout and a set of simple photographs is a great way to challenge yourself.

Also, frames and mattes with pre-cut holes for nine images are a standard item at all of the online frame suppliers. If you decide to go with a matte—life will be easier if you don’t—make sure you have the matte in hand before you attempt to produce a print that will align with the holes.

Sign up for our free newsletter!