Portrait photography is all about capturing a person and their character in a single photo. If possible, meet with your client before the shoot to get to know them a bit and getting a feeling and understanding for what they want and their character in real life. Understand who they are below the surface.
Studio vs. Location
It’s important to first determine whether your portrait photoshoot will take place in a studio or at a location. Both options have pros and cons that will depend on your style and your subject. Ask yourself a few vital questions.
Will these portrait shots benefit from a unique setting at a specific location? Or will they benefit from a more controlled environment? Do I plan on experimenting with different lighting styles? Or will the location better capture this person?
Once you dive a bit deeper into what you envision for your portrait photoshoot, you’ll know whether or not you should shoot in a studio or on location.
Different Photography Poses
One of the best skills a portrait photographer can develop is the ability to pose a subject. Some of the poses we focus on at Creative Focus Studios is the poses that are flattering for our client and works with our lighting. This even might be the simple tweaks, like the positioning of a clients hands or a slight tilt to their head, or using a client’s pose to add shape or depth to the portrait.
Focus on the Eyes
They say that the eyes are the windows to the soul. While this saying is cliché, it cannot be more true for portraiture. Find ways through lighting, camera and posing to focus on the eyes, with bring strength and character to any image.
Capturing Different Emotions
Having a variety of different portraits and capturing different emotions from a client, will add extra depth and strong line to a series of photos.
Encouraging a client to smile and laugh, then change it up and have them pose a bit seriously will showcase all their different moods and bring abit of fun into a photoshoot.
Another great way to bring forth different emotions is to direct client’s thoughts toward fond memories or on loved ones in their life. This can often result in genuine emotions and expressions.
Moving Out Of Comfort Zone
Most clients are uncomfortable in front of the camera. And an uncomfortable subject makes for uncomfortable photos. To get a client more relaxed, a simple engagement in conversation and photographing them just standing or sitting, and not ask for anything out of the ordinary will help in them naturally start posing and losing the rigid posing.
It helps when a portrait photographer doesn’t push ones subject, but just gently suggest mixing up a bit. For instance, asking them to jump, to run, dance, make faces, climb trees, and more.
Background & Backdrops
In both studio settings and on location, it is important to bring some focus on how or where you are photography. A background can help reflect the identity of your client.
Even in an indoor studio, the choice of a solid black or solid white background can make a huge difference in a portrait. If your scenery is going to be full of orange autumn leaves, or on the beach with the blue skies and crashing waves consider the colours and poses that will match this backdrop, making your images well planned and considerate in their balance.
Keep Away From Large Patterns and Logos
This is a big ‘NO’. The main reason is that having images and logos on t-shirts, hats, pants, and shoes, immediately steals the focus in the photo It’s hard to focus on one’s face, when you are competing with the bright colours, patterns and logos. Also, branding can easily date photos.
