My Portrait Photography Process
The Method to My Madness
The Pre-Shoot
As a published author, I create with words. As a photographer, I create with light.
The common thread in both cases is that I aim to tell a story - your story. To tell that story well, I have to get to know my subjects, to make them feel comfortable enough to reveal their true selves to my camera, to help them truly explore the character they wish to reveal to the world. It's only through that literal shining of light on the truth that I can tell your story through my lens.
But being comfortable during a photoshoot is not always an easy task. Some people love to be photographed. They’re drawn to cameras like flies to… well, perhaps more like moths to a flame. But there are others who shy away from the lens, who shrink into the shadows when the family photo has to be taken, or call in sick on photo day at school or work. There are those for whom the sound of a clicking shutter is tantamount to a death knell for their self-confidence and a sure sign of impending embarrassment. That’s where I come in.
My Website Landing Page - You’ve arrived at a safe space
As a recovering introvert, I know what it’s like to not want to be the focus of attention. (It’s why I prefer to be behind the lens!) But my own experiences with insecurity and self-consciousness have made me an astute observer of the human condition and only sharpened my empathy and heightened my awareness of others’ moods and dispositions. As a result, I’ve tailored my Portrait Photography process to make it as painless and enjoyable as possible.
First Contact - The first step couldn't be easier
Client comfort is the key, and that starts as soon as you make contact - which couldn’t be easier. My website has a simple contact form designed to ease you into my world with a few establishing questions. Once this open and honest channel of communication is established, I like to followup with a slightly more detailed questionnaire , a simple form that allows me to get to know a little about my potential subjects. I have a number of forms geared to each particular genre I work in - Actor Headshots, Business Headshots, Model Portraits, Creative Portraits, Musician Portraits. The client can complete this within the confines of their own safe space, in their own time, without the pressure of commitment or awkward conversations. (Although I’m always available for a phone or video chat in addition, if they prefer.)
My first goal is, of course, to form an understanding of their objectives for the shoot, but there’s more to my questionnaire than just that. I come at them sideways, teasing out elements of their personalities to get a sense of their character - who they are, what they like, what they value. I know I’m only scratching the surface, but I like to have an “in” when they arrive for their shoot, a launching pad from which the session will really “take off”, and the questionnaire is the perfect tool with which to build that foundation.
If it’s a creative shoot, I also like to compile some mood board ideas based on their initial requests. This gets my inspirational juices flowing and sparks new ideas I might want to try.
I also solicit mood board ideas from the client; I love to see what the client has envisioned for their shoot, and indeed, to see if our visions mesh. Sometimes what they have in mind isn’t achievable, but it gives me a starting point, an idea of where they’re coming from, of the image they want project to the world.
Once we have an idea of where we’re headed stylistically and thematically, that’s when the magic really begins…