“Fill the frame” is a line of common photography advice that encourages the elimination of distractions by getting in close. But getting in close isn’t the only way to fill an image with more positive space than negative space. This week, we feature photographs that eliminate distractions and create drama by filling the frame. Find inspiration from these shots by Brian Robinson, Natalie J. Watts, Verity Sansom, and Riana Lisbeth Khen. 

Brian Robinson, Brian Robinson Photography 

Photographers often get close to fill the frame, but this image from Brian Robinson of Brian Robinson Photography demonstrates that it’s possible to fill an image with positive space without getting in close. Because the dark trees fill most of the frame, the eye is immediately drawn to the small slice of negative space surrounding the silhouetted bride and groom among the trees. He captured the shot with the Canon R6 and RF 85mm lens. 

“When I saw the tree line and the gap, I had the idea of them filling the space,” he said. “I wanted the image to feel dramatic and for people to look, take it in, get curious and notice the couple even more.” 

Natalie J. Watts, Natalie J. Weddings 

When photographer Natalie J. Watts of Natalie J. Weddings found this location full of oversized rhododendron trees during the pandemic, she knew she had to shoot among the flowers. Nearly a year later, she saw the trees blooming early and immediately put a call out for a couple to photograph here. While filling the frame here highlights the couple, she said the trees were so large, there was little other choice but to fill the whole photo with them. She captured the shot with the Canon 5D Mark IV and a 24-70mm lens. 

“We photographed around and in — amongst all the flowers, but the photos with the red flowers are my absolute favorite. The reds looked so vibrant in the evening light,” she said. “The whole area had a loud buzzing, due to thousands of bumblebees feeding on the rhododendrons, and I’m grateful for Hannah and David pushing further into the bush when I asked. I shoot intuitively, and it made sense for them to be surrounded by the flowers rather than simply stand in front. In the 2.5 years since this photoshoot, I’ve not been able to catch the rhododendrons in full bloom again, so I’m very thankful for this magical creative evening.” 

Riana Lisbeth Khen, Riana Lisbeth Studios 

The combination of cropping in close, sculpting light and the high contrast black and white creates a striking image in this shot by Riana Lisbeth Khem of Riana Lisbeth Studios. The photographer says she prefers close-ups over full body shots because they always seem to feel more enticing. She captured this shot with the Nikon Z6 II and a 50mm f1.2 lens. 

“I have a fairly distinct way of seeing light, and I love being able to apply that to any image,” she said. “While this shoot in particular was a branding one, we still all felt a femme fatale/boudoir noir mood was what we were aiming for. I think that people think branding images traditionally need to be bright and clear, when they just need to get a certain message and tone across, and this is exactly what I wanted to achieve here. An edgy, dark and feminine tone.” 

Verity Sansom, Verity Sansom Photography 

By filling the frame with just hands and toes, this image by Verity Sansom of Verity Sansom Photography captures the details in the infant’s tiny toes. The photographer said she loves to get in close on the details during a newborn session. She captured the shot with the Canon R6 and an 85mm f1.8 lens. 

“I wanted the tiny toes to be the main feature without any distractions,” Sansom said. 

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].