So timeless it pre-dates photography itself, portraiture is at once the simplest and most complex of photographic genres. It isn’t just getting a clear, well lit shot of the face. It’s capturing the essence of a person. Their soul. Their aura or vibe. It's made more difficult by the fact that most people don’t want to give it to you at all. They’re either uncomfortable showing themselves without barriers or affectations, or uncomfortable enough in their own skin that they’re actually afraid of it. It’s been said that the photographer’s job is to make a subject feel at ease in front of the camera but I think that’s a cop out. I firmly believe, and my experience has borne this out, that you, as the subject, have to bring me something. You’ve got to give me some mojo. I may not appear in the frame but we’re in the portrait together. Sure, sometimes a calculated poseur can pass off a good looking shot but it’s sort of like a faked orgasm; the best, most vivid connection with the viewer will only be achieved by peeling back layers of discovery at the point of inception. When that shutter clicks, if you’re being real with me and you’re not hiding behind anything, your persona will penetrate the lens and convey straight to whoever’s looking. And that’s forever… even after you’re dead and gone. Sure, we’ll tweak it in post, and yes, I’ll be expected to have the lighting, aperture, composition and all the rest dialed in, but the magic will have happened at that moment because you gave it to me and my camera. Next time you sit for a portrait remember that the photographer can only capture you as deeply as you allow. Let them in and you’ll likely love the results.
I’m not a fan of the term “headshot” as I think there's a tendency for that kind of session to produce stale pictures devoid of emotion if we're not careful. Let's retire that term and call it what it is: Portraiture. Yousuf Karsh's famous "Roaring Lion" portrait of Winston Churchill was not a headshot!
I love dynamic portrait sessions, whether environmental or studio, and think they’re best approached like a magazine assignment. Here are some of my favorites where I feel like the subjects made a genuine emotional commitment to the shot. Each of these brought some mojo and it shows.
Have a look... and let's make some work together.