5 Things to Know Before a Photoshoot in an Art Gallery
A stunning art gallery photoshoot with your significant other is a unique way to document your love story.
An art gallery gives an elegant, ornate, and elevated feeling to your photos, especially if you’re considering some of the world’s most beautiful galleries such as Musée du Louvre in Paris, the Vatican Museums in Vatican City, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, and the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. These galleries, in particular, give ALL the royal vibes without having to be one.
I have recently had the chance to photograph a chic engagement session at the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia, this past spring. This was my first time photographing in an art gallery, and let me tell you, it was a breathtaking experience.
Photographer: Anna Aleksandrovna
I have previously visited the gallery as a tourist and an art appreciator, and was familiar with its layout and the grandiose feel of it all. But visiting as a photographer and having the chance to create art while being surrounded by art brought a whole other level of appreciation for its architecture. Needless to say, I am still, to this day, drooling over some of the images from this session. More on my Pinterest here.
While this experience was stunning overall, it did require some preparation and research to make it go smoothly and stress-free. I have narrowed it down to the top 5 things you absolutely should know and do before scheduling your perfect art gallery photo session:
Permits
You would be surprised at how many art galleries have a camera restriction or do not permit large camera bags/backpacks. While many very beautiful galleries allow digital cameras and photo sessions, it is always recommended to do your research on any specific permit requirements or photographer fees. When in doubt, go to the source directly and ask what their current regulations are.
Go Early
This may seem like common sense, but plan to have your photo session as soon as the gallery or museum opens to avoid having extra visitors in your photos. This is particularly important for more popular galleries that have a higher volume of tourists year-round. If possible, avoid any holidays or weekends as those days tend to be busier than, say, a Tuesday or Wednesday would be. Buy your tickets in advance to avoid having to wait in long queues.
Plan Your Outfits
Most galleries, especially art galleries, have darker/muted wall tones and feature art that is multi color. For this reason, it is best to avoid any clothing that has patterns or excessive writing on it (unless, that is your intention). This especially goes for men if they choose to wear a button-down - avoid checkered or striped patterns. While it may seem a bit boring to choose a single color or monotone outfit, it will actually help you stand out more in your photos. If the gallery has a darker environment, go for something brighter, like pastels and whites. If the gallery is brighter (think lots of white walls and windows), choose a single color outfit that will stand out in contrast to the “white-ness” of the gallery.
Another outfit note: wear comfy shoes! Avoid anything that is difficult to walk in, very high heels in particular. Not only will they make unnecessary noise on the hard gallery floors, but they generally tend to hinder the efficiency of the photo session when you only have a limited number of minutes to get “the perfect shot” in between other visitors. Opt for a thicker, comfier heel or stylish flats instead.
Locations
I strongly believe that discussing exact gallery hall locations is something both the client and photographer must decide on together prior to photo day. Having a plan of which hall to go to as well as mapping how to get there, is crucial in order to save time and avoid the stress of feeling lost while roaming the gallery/museum looking for that “one” shot.
Lighting
Let’s be real here, these galleries are built not only to showcase century-old art, but also to protect it from environmental elements that may deteriorate it over time. This means limited light, large dark curtains over windows, and dim yellow overhead lights. And let’s not forget the very strict “No Flash Photography” rule. I highly advise you to ensure that your photographer is capable of photographing high-quality images in minimal lighting conditions. This usually means their gear quality, since some cameras are more capable of handling low-light situations than others. While this last part may be an uncomfortable question to ask your photographer, you can always look through their portfolio and see what their past work in similar lighting situations looks like.
I hope that this information will help you plan your perfect art gallery photo session. As a bonus, make a date out of it and stay after your photographer leaves to enjoy beautiful art together!
Photographer: Anna Aleksandrovna
