Can you do portraits?
Can you do portraits? Yes, but we’re gonna make it interesting…
My creative intention is to always highlight people as they genuinely are, no canned smiles or staged scenarios. Having moments of visual authenticity is extremely important today, our persona is just as important as what we do.
As a documentary photographer, someone who photographs moments candidly, in an effort to tell the truth of the situation, it’s only right to do that with portraits.
Donaven is a filmmaker, photographer, cultural advocate, and now small agency owner. So, the approach with these photos was to tell that story, I needed to articulate the core of his business through photos.
You might wonder how this works, how does someone communicate something specific with a still image? My approach was straightforward, I spent time with Donaven to understand his story, his thought process, and what’s most important to him. I attended pre-production meetings with his team, we shared a few meals, and ultimately developed a relationship that allowed me to be present without being distracting. (Just a few days time if you’re wondering)
The majority of these photos are candid, and that’s the benefit of being a documentary photographer - I can foresee moments of importance.
You might say, “cool photos, but when and where would I use a collection of images like this? The short answer is, however you want, but the long answer is we discussed application and content needs ahead of production. This ensures that we create a collection of assets that align with your needs.
These will be used as profile photos across social media, in the press, and anywhere else that requires a photo of him.
My question to you is, as someone with a growing personal brand, how can you use lifestyle portraits to tell your story?
Thanks for reading.