“Caleb”
© Copyright Christina Dickson
Christina Dickson is a portrait photographer and photography instructor who believes the challenge of great portraiture — indeed, what separates good portraiture from the run-of-the mill mall portrait studio product — is that it strives to both capture and reveal personality. Christina is just as quick to admit that this poses a definite challenge for any aspiring portrait photographer, but it’s a challenge she personally finds exhilarating and rewarding.
She advises would-be portrait photographers to focus on the following three rules to improve their work: investigate, observe, and engage.
1. Investigate. Before the shoot, get to know your subject. Ask him or her questions about their respective interests and be open to what they have to say.
2. Observe. Watch for each subject’s tendencies as you interact with them, the small things they each do to express their individuality which, if brought out by you in a photography session, may reveal your subject’s personality.
3. Engage. It’s important to draw the subject out by talking, laughing, and entertaining them throughout your time together. You want to endeavor to be someone with whom your subject feels completely comfortable being herself or himself. Only then are they likely to let down their guard and allow you to capture their true selves.
Consider the photo above of Christina’s client, Caleb. Caleb is an aspiring filmmaker who has always hated having his portrait taken, but he was very happy with this picture because it reminded him of a portrait of one of his filmmaking idols, Mel Gibson.
Read Christina’s full article at Digital-photography-school.com.
Interested in portrait photography tips? Be sure to read these Photobird Daily articles as well:
Simple Tips for Photographing Children
Bounce Your Flash for Better Photos
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Tags: Photo, Photography, Photos, Portrait, Portraits
