Perspective plays a powerful role in photography. What the photographer decides to include — and not include — as well as where everything falls in the frame often determines if an image stands out or falls flat. This week, we highlight five photographs that exemplify perspective. Find inspiration from these images and advice from Pervez Taufiq, Cait Fletcher Reardon, Ieva Brunsdon, Karolina Harper and Bonnie Jenkins.

Pervez Taufiq, P. Taufiq Photography

During a three day pre-shoot, Pervez Taufiq of P. Taufiq Photography took this couple to a rug store in Cappadocia, Turkey. The idea was to both get out of the intermittent rain and work with the vibrant colors in the store that’s known for its beauty. While the layers of texture in the rug store are stunning on their own, the unique aerial perspective of this shot emphasizes all the colors and patterns while the cooler tones at the center draw the eye to the couple. Taufiq says the couple was willing to lay down and try new things in part because he’s known for pushing the envelope with dramatic lighting and perspective. He captured the shot with a DJI Mavic drone.

“It’s important to take the road less traveled and to find a perspective that can be unique to show a different version of what our eyes see when we approach a location,” he says. “I always wonder what things look like from below or above and how to show our couple in the context of a location while still keeping focus on them. In this shot, we used the carpets as a frame for our couple as they lay down amongst the carpets.”

Cait Fletcher Reardon, Cait Fletcher Photography

This image by Cait Fletcher Reardon of Cait Fletcher Photography shows off both the wedding’s location and weather while the bride prepares for the day. But, this grand view of New Haven, Connecticut, was actually taken inside the elevator on the way to the getting ready suite. Fletcher explains that she had to stand inside the elevator with her foot preventing the door from closing in order to get the shot. She was inspired by the contradiction between the pace of the city and the hustle of bridal preparations. She captured the shot with the Nikon Z6 II with a 24mm lens. The dress was hung on a Command hook that she always keeps in her camera bag, allowing her to safely hang the dress from the glass.

“My advice is always move your feet,” she says. “Shoot high, shoot low, shoot in-between. It’s sometimes remarkable to see a scene from another perspective that you wouldn’t even think to try.”

Ieva Brunsdon, Ieva Marija Photography

Highlighting the subject in a wide, dramatic landscape can be a challenge. But, the haze in this image by Ieva Brunsdon of Ieva Marija Photography draws the eye right to the couple at the center. At the end of Madara and Armandas’ elopement day, the photographer and couple headed to Glencoe, a valley in Scotland. Brunsdon wanted to capture some backlit shots during golden hour here. But, after they started shooting in the sunshine, it started to rain. When Brunsdon saw the change, she directed the couple to stand on the hill and framed them between the mountains with the golden haze right behind them. She captured the shot with the Sony a7 III and a 35mm f1.4 lens.

“I get a lot of my inspiration on perspective from cinema,” she explains. “Watch a lot of movies — especially ones that are renowned for their cinematography. Observe the perspective of every single shot. Take notes, perhaps even screenshots, and try to implement these perspectives into your sessions. Observe how a simple scene of two people talking across the table in a coffee shop uses different perspectives — a wide shot, close ups, one person’s point of view, the other person’s point of view, a shot through the window, etc. to tell a better story. Cinematography is an endless source of inspiration to me.”

Karolina Harper, The Harpers Wedding

The dramatic view takes a backseat to the moment between the couple in this stunning image by Karolina Harper of The Harpers Wedding Photography. Harper captured the shot during the last minutes of sunlight on the Amalfi Coast overlooking Positano. She was inspired by the tones of blue hour working with the color of the car, buildings and water. She captured the shot with a Sony a7 IV and a Sigma 85mm f1.4

“In my opinion, when it comes to perspective, it is important to look for different ways to use all the elements available to create depth in the composition of your image,” she says. “Using various angles and different points of view and also experimenting with ways to add depth and scale to your images will bring them to life. While creating images, I’m always trying to tell the story.”

Bonnie Jenkins, Bonnie Jenkins Photography

Bonnie Jenkins of Bonnie Jenkins Photography spotted this location when scouting for areas that had all the feel of Santorini without the crowds of tourists. Placing the couple in front of the white staircase helps highlight the moment between the two of them, allowing the repetition of the buildings in the background to add to the image without becoming a distraction. She captured the shot with the Canon EOS 5D Mark III and a Canon 35mm f1.2 lens.

“Look for repetitive backgrounds, color or framing to not lose the main subjects, the couple in this instance,” Jenkins suggests. “If the location is significant, what elements can you incorporate to ensure it’s identifiable? Have leading lines work for you and not lead away from the main focus, and ensure you do not crop elements awkwardly, such as just the tip of a head, arm or building.” 

Dig into our Photo of the Day archives for even more timeless photos, eye-catching wedding photos and portraits. Submit your wedding, editorial, documentary and other interesting imagery to: [email protected].

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