Project 2

Take bath-time portraits submerged in water and bubbles

Taking photos of people in water can be a great route to interesting photos. However, in winter, you don’t want to be trying to shoot outside in freezing temperatures in ice-cold water. We want to head indoors in the warm.

But most of us don’t have the luxury of an indoor swimming pool in our own homes, or access to shoot inside public swimming baths. So let’s look at how to shoot in your home to take some great water babe portraits in the bath!

Kids often hate posing for photos, but give them an excuse to splash around and have fun in the bath, and you’ll be able to take some great portraits. We added some safe-for-kids bubble bath, but found we got better shots showing the hair underwater when the bubbles had dispersed.

We used our Canon DSLR, 50mm prime lens and flash. With our model’s head submerged but with the face above the surface, we lent over the bath and composed and focused from above. She moved around, swishing her hair and we tried smiling, moody and eyes closed. Follow the steps below on how to get set to take some vibrant shots.

It goes without saying, but we’re obliged to say it anyway; electrical items like cameras and flashguns and water don’t mix. Wear a camera strap around your neck at all times and take care to avoid splashes reaching you and your expensive Canon kit!