This isn’t going to be a post about what camera, lens, aperture or shutter speed you should use to get a great portrait. Instead, it’s going to be about you.
You see, if you’re a serious portrait photographer – your job is to make the subject look good. NOTE: It is NOT the subject’s job to look good. It’s YOUR job to MAKE them look good. And yes, you can improve your chances with the right gear, lighting, background, poses, etc.
But there’s another thing you should think about, but likely do not.
Not only is it the job of the photographer to make the subject look good, it is the photographer’s job to make the subject more powerful. You are supposed to empower your subject. The job of the photographer is to awaken possibility in other people.
Now what is all this about? It’s simple. Photography changes lives. My sister and her daughter wanted a portrait. But my sister has not been at all happy with how she looks in photographs. In fact, she gets emotionally stressed about being photographed the way some people get stressed when flying. Why is she stressed? She has some self-esteem issues. And I can help with that. That’s what I mean when I say you can empower the subject. Just think about it. If you can make someone who thinks they photograph poorly look good, you will make them feel good. If they feel good about themselves. . . they feel empowered. What a gift.
Now here’s the trick for how to accomplish that – how to empower your subject.
It’s really very simple. You are just a mirror. If your subject seems stressed, it’s probably because you are stressed. If your subject is in a sour mood, it’s probably because you are in a sour mood. In other words, you reflect on your subject. If your subject isn’t getting into the session and you aren’t getting the results you seek – you need to ask yourself this question: Who are you that your subject is not happy?
Scott, tell your sister that she looks fine to me even in your admittedly poorly scanned negative.
Scott, tell your sister that she looks fine to me even in your admittedly poorly scanned negative.
Fantastic and timely post. Two nights ago my wife and I had a shoot with an attractive but shy young girl. Just prior to the shoot I had to deal with a rather stressful and unpleasant situation that unfortunately carried into the shoot by affecting my mood.
The first 20 minutes or so didn’t go well, I just couldn’t get a look or feel that worked. Finally my wife took the camera and asked me to go get waters for everyone (and with her eyes let me know not to come back until I cooled off).
When I returned she had changed the mood of the subject to reflect hers rather than mine and we began getting great results. It wasn’t until reading this that it struck me that it was my problem, and not the models, that was giving us such sour results.
Thanks Scott, keep it up!
Fantastic and timely post. Two nights ago my wife and I had a shoot with an attractive but shy young girl. Just prior to the shoot I had to deal with a rather stressful and unpleasant situation that unfortunately carried into the shoot by affecting my mood.
The first 20 minutes or so didn’t go well, I just couldn’t get a look or feel that worked. Finally my wife took the camera and asked me to go get waters for everyone (and with her eyes let me know not to come back until I cooled off).
When I returned she had changed the mood of the subject to reflect hers rather than mine and we began getting great results. It wasn’t until reading this that it struck me that it was my problem, and not the models, that was giving us such sour results.
Thanks Scott, keep it up!
Great Post… but I am only commenting because I love Lens Coat!
Great Post… but I am only commenting because I love Lens Coat!
Excellent information. This is what is explained in the Betarus Box. I think that is the way to spell it. It is a concept put forward by a Doctor Betarus I think, so all credit to him.
My attitude affects your attitude affects my attitude etc. It can be a ever decreasing circle. This is a bit more simplistic but you get the idea. We use it at work in tactical communications. One must take the right attitude to a conversation and this is exactly what Scott is saying. We cannot take our anger, moods or problems into the shot. We need to take in the right mood. It can be hard to do but we must try.
Thanks Scott I need to be continually reminded.
Excellent information. This is what is explained in the Betarus Box. I think that is the way to spell it. It is a concept put forward by a Doctor Betarus I think, so all credit to him.
My attitude affects your attitude affects my attitude etc. It can be a ever decreasing circle. This is a bit more simplistic but you get the idea. We use it at work in tactical communications. One must take the right attitude to a conversation and this is exactly what Scott is saying. We cannot take our anger, moods or problems into the shot. We need to take in the right mood. It can be hard to do but we must try.
Thanks Scott I need to be continually reminded.
That is extremely good advise. I will have to try this with my niece who doesn’t like to have her picture taken. The only way I can photograph her is if she doesn’t know she is being photographed. The shame is that her grandmother loves the photos I get of her. Occasionally she lets me take just one photo of her. She doesn’t say that she doesn’t like it as she normally would. I think her photo phobia may be a result of poor school pictures. She has never liked her school photos.
I also have someone who would like me to shoot a series of portraits for a portfolio he wants to prepare. Oh boy, my first official portrait photo shoot. I will have to keep this, heck, everything I have learned from all of you in mind. Wish me luck.
Thanks for all your tips!!!
That is extremely good advise. I will have to try this with my niece who doesn’t like to have her picture taken. The only way I can photograph her is if she doesn’t know she is being photographed. The shame is that her grandmother loves the photos I get of her. Occasionally she lets me take just one photo of her. She doesn’t say that she doesn’t like it as she normally would. I think her photo phobia may be a result of poor school pictures. She has never liked her school photos.
I also have someone who would like me to shoot a series of portraits for a portfolio he wants to prepare. Oh boy, my first official portrait photo shoot. I will have to keep this, heck, everything I have learned from all of you in mind. Wish me luck.
Thanks for all your tips!!!
I like the portrait. It’s simple, clean and unified. The faces and expressions carry the entire impact of the image. Too many people try and jazz up portraiture with accessories. Your advice is good. I’ll try and take it to heart next time I’m trying to take a portrait.
I like the portrait. It’s simple, clean and unified. The faces and expressions carry the entire impact of the image. Too many people try and jazz up portraiture with accessories. Your advice is good. I’ll try and take it to heart next time I’m trying to take a portrait.
Hi Scott, I really appreciate your recent focus on portraits. Your simple tips have improved my shots and editing significantly. I love connecting with people especially children with my photography. I just got this fabulous picture of my daughter and I owe it to you and your advice in the critique forum. You are touching a lot of people with your passion. Please don’t stop. XOXO Jo Here is a link to my recent treasure: http://jomichaels.smugmug.com/gallery/7232307_4nqXV#464684123_k67tN
Hi Scott, I really appreciate your recent focus on portraits. Your simple tips have improved my shots and editing significantly. I love connecting with people especially children with my photography. I just got this fabulous picture of my daughter and I owe it to you and your advice in the critique forum. You are touching a lot of people with your passion. Please don’t stop. XOXO Jo Here is a link to my recent treasure: http://jomichaels.smugmug.com/gallery/7232307_4nqXV#464684123_k67tN
Nice post. I wholeheartedly believe you. I’d like to take some portraits of my wife and my wife hates having her picture taken like your sister. My concern, however, is what happens if I’m not good enough to make her feel good about her pictures!?
Nice post. I wholeheartedly believe you. I’d like to take some portraits of my wife and my wife hates having her picture taken like your sister. My concern, however, is what happens if I’m not good enough to make her feel good about her pictures!?
@Glenn then be prepaired to be good enough to take her to a nice dinner or send her to the spa for a massage, she will forgive you and probably let you try again knowing the potential outcome. Trust me it works every time :)
@Glenn then be prepaired to be good enough to take her to a nice dinner or send her to the spa for a massage, she will forgive you and probably let you try again knowing the potential outcome. Trust me it works every time :)
Scott, great advice yet again.
I certainly appreciate the effort that you put into these, and all your other posts and that you give your advice so freely and genuinely
Scott, great advice yet again.
I certainly appreciate the effort that you put into these, and all your other posts and that you give your advice so freely and genuinely