Double Frames

Much like reflections, frames can be used to tell two or more stories in the same photo. All you need is more than one frame within your viewfinder to divide the photo into multiple stories. The frames don’t have to be the same kind for this technique to work. One frame could be a doorframe and the second a tree branch. Clients crave the type of creativity displayed by a photo that has multiple stories happening simultaneously within different frames—and are willing to pay for it. Because most amateur photographers probably wouldn’t think of taking a photo with multiple stories, it’s a great way to separate your work from the rest of the field.

During an Indian wedding in Los Angeles, I noticed two doors side by side at the bride’s house (11.9). On the right side, the bride was having her hair done by her sister. On the left side, her father, mother, and uncle were getting ready as well. The bride and her sister were in a good position so I let them be; on the left side, I asked the mother of the bride to button up her husband’s vest so that I could see both stories unfolding.