Trying new things

Okay, so I think my thoughts on portraiture have completely changed. 

This series of photos is uniquely special because I’m working with a life-long friend and this was her first portrait session, aside from yearbooks and employee photos. 

This was her first time sitting in front of camera posing and etc., and I knew none of this going into the session. 

All throughout 2021 I was challenged myself to become better as a photographer, and portraiture was an area I had previously avoided or did with low interest. Even though I had my opinions, I thought it was boring, I knew I had to become better at portraiture and all that come with it. (Directing, Lighting, Scouting, etc…) Additionally, I wanted to work with someone I was comfortable with, because I knew that would have a positive impact on my creative output. I immediately thought of my friend, and when I asked if she'd mind sitting for a session she immediately responded, "absolutely, when, where and what should I wear". 

A few days before the shoot we confirm the logistics, and she casually let's me know that she had never done this before and if I had any tips. At that moment I started to have a perspective change, because I started thinking about her experience and how to guide her through the session. Prior to this I would primarily think about the scene, the colors and general composition ideas. During this session I was more aware of her comfort level with the process, it really helped that we already had an established relationship. Throughout this session I became more focused on creating moments of interest, establishing scenes and working with her to find the right moment. Previously I would take a more documentary style approach, capturing my creative partner working a scene. 

A few mental notes and takeaways:

• Work the scene together, see what’s most natural for them.

  • How someone responds to a location will be present in the photos

• Share photos during the session

  • It can be a confidence booster to share a great photo in camera, even if its not a final select

• Lastly, be social 

  • It’s important to keep your creative partner engaged, random silence can/will be awkward 

Now a fuse has been lit, I'm generally interested in creative portraiture. Developing stories and narrative ideas from scratch and delivering them through curated sets of photos. I’ll acknowledge that this is a more traditional set of portraits, it’s the lessons, ideas and inspiration that I'm most happy to have created.

Also, I really love these photos, I'd say these are some of my favorite photos to date. 

Peace!