People Skills for a Portrait Photographer

Taking great portraits is as much about people skillsbeloved sail boat, on a beautiful late afternoon, just
as it is about technical ability, or using the latest andas the boat was coming about? What would be said
greatest photographic equipment. Sure, refining yourof this portrait years later? "This was Charlie, doing
technical skills and knowledge may expand the extentwhat he loved most! That was such a glorious day."
of your capabilities, and using superior equipment mayThe point is, "keep it honest". Fantasy can be cute,
indeed boost your edge. But, unless you can first seebut your subject being herself, years later this will be
through your subject's eyes, and understand her as amuch more meaningful. The image galleries at show
unique individual, and then build rapport with her sogood examples of allowing the subject to be herself
you can unveil and accentuate her finest qualities,and then capturing elegant but honest portraits of
your portraits will remain mediocre at best. Someher.4. Allow your subject's expression to be honest.
lessons learned along my journey as a photographerA frown or a grimace that is genuinely felt can be
may help those who choose to follow.1. If using amore interesting than a smile that is forced. I try to
tripod, compose your portrait and then take onenever just pose my subject and then say, "Okay,
step just to the side and forward from the camera.now smile for me." If you want your subject to smile
Do not look through the viewfinder as you capturethen tell a joke, put on a face, or perhaps merely
your subject's image. This allows you to make eyesmile at her and she will smile back at you. People
contact initially with your subject, and then direct hergenerally tend to reflect in their face what they see
in mood, expression, position, and the angle of gazein yours, but in my experience this is not always so.
you are aiming for. When your subject interacts withNevertheless, interaction with your subject is the key.
your camera, the result can be a cold or lifelessThat being said, the next time you have a difficult
rendering, but when you engage your subjectsubject ask him to tell you a joke, to bring out a
through eye contact, expression, gestures andsmile, if that's the expression you are after. If you
words, the result can be a warm and candidare a professional, you know that smiles sell, but if
reflection, charged with mood or emotion.2. If youyou're an amateur, you are under no pressure to sell,
are not using a tripod, you really should redouble yourso make your portraits interesting. Not everything in
effort to maintain constant interaction with yourthe world is to smile about.5. Direct your portraits.
subject. Many photographers tend to keep their eyesTake control of the composition of your portraits! Do
in the viewfinder of the camera, but this leads tonot be afraid to tell or show your subject what you
your subject interacting more with the front glass inwant. Sometimes showing is best. I often find that
your lens than with you. Again, you do not want theactually demonstrating a pose I have in mind, works
sterile and lifeless rendering that most often comesbetter than trying to direct my subject through
when the camera serves to isolate you thewords alone. If you are photographing a group, your
photographer from your subject. Interaction with anlife will be easier, if you arrange and pose the adults
inanimate object (your camera) can never be afirst. Then, work your way from oldest (or more
substitute for interaction with another human beingmature and settled) to youngest of the children. The
(you), when your goal is to capture the essence ofpoint to remember is, as the photographer, you
your subject, and reflect the attitude and emotionshould take charge of the shot. The success or
she was feeling at that moment in time.3. Allow yourfailure of the portrait will be your responsibility, so
subject to be herself. A little girl dressed up in fairytake charge.Engage your subject to establish and
wings for a special picture is very cute, and Ibuild rapport with her, to take your photos to a
suppose there is a place in this world for cute. But,higher level. Make your portraits more meaningful by
contrast this with the little girl who just loves tokeeping them honest, and natural. We all know a
dance. You put her in her everyday clothes, standfantasy photo can be cute, and a formally posed
her in front of a plain backdrop, put on her favoriteportrait can be graceful and dignified, if that is your
music and say to her, "can you show me how tosubject's personality. But, a portrait that is true to
dance to this song?" You should have no difficulty inthe subject is always more meaningful. Allow your
capturing timeless expressions there. Now imagine asubject to be herself, and never force an expression.
jeans and t-shirt kind of guy whose true passion in allLearn to take charge and direct your portraits and
of life is sailing. You dress him up in a tailored suit;you will move far ahead in your journey as a
formally pose him in front of a low key backdrop,photographer. Practice your people skills with each
seated in a Chippendale chair, and use classic loopportrait you take. People skills are the prerequisite to
lighting. What would be said of this portrait yearsall else, if you want to take great portraits. Good day
later? "Who was this guy, an executive?" But justand happy clicking!Steve Barnes is a professional
suppose, you photographed this same guy in hisportrait photographer and co-owner of Hayley Barnes
favorite t-shirt and blue jeans, at the helm of hisPhotography in League City, Texas.