Toronto Photography Meetup Group

I feel like my thoughts get scrambled when someone asks for portraits to be done. What kind of photos are they expecting? Where am I going to shoot? When I find a location, how exactly do I plot out spots to photograph?

The ones I've done so far was just a leisure stroll and some photos here and there. I was wondering if anyone could share their methods for a more efficient work flow.

- do you sit down and consult with the model / client before your shoot to get ideas clear?
- how do you find the optimal place to shoot on location?

Just ask for what they want. If it's hard to describe, get them to show you examples.

*edit* lol I just spent the last 15 minutes trying to type up what I do for my shoots but there's just so much I consider that it's hard to explain..

7 Tips on Posing Glamour Models by Scott Bourne. Maybe helpful? It happened to be in my RSS feed today.

It is a a lot more complicated than you'd think. If this is hired work then:

Ask what theme are you looking for looking for? Example a couple theme is much different than an exec portrait.

Once you have a theme a location must be found. Parks or office or whatever.

Then you have to take into account the time of day if outdoors (sunset sunrise) and date.

Are props required? Type of lights and equipment.

Also if you are unsure study portraits of similar type to get the motif right.

A tip I find useful.

Spend at least 15 minutes talking, asking what they are looking to get. Ask them if they don't mind taking test shots while your talking. Show them the test shots after you have taken a few. By the end of the 15 minutes your client will have warmed up to the camera and you will know what he or she is looking for in a portrait.

What's Exection? Something like Erection? .. lol .. j/k

First thing, if possible, is to take the time to build a rapport with the subject. Ask them questions - what are they looking for in a portrait, have they done it before, are they looking for something clean or edgy .. that sort of stuff.

See if they have a good side or bad side of their face .. you would be surprised the little things that can help/hurt a portrait. See what their full, half, closed mouth smile looks like. Some people have great natural smiles and some have terrible unnatural, unflattering smiles - this will help later on when trying different poses. I am always trying to see the strengths and weaknesses in a person face/body. For a man, perhaps they have a really worn look that would work well with contrasty light. Or a woman who has a super clean complexion which would work well for close up beauty shots. Then you can use all this information to your advantage when you actually get down to shooting.

In terms of location I try to think like this: Can the location stand up on it's own as an interesting shot? If not, why put a subject in front of it. This is not a hard and fast rule of course since sometimes you just want a clean background to make the subject stand out. For environmental portraits see if there any props, items in the background that the subject can use/lean up against, hold on to, etc. This will add variety and interest to your images.

Obviously all this stuff comes with experience and practice and for some a steep learning curve. I find I learn something new at every shoot which makes it worthwhile to me. Cheers and good luck.

portraits are pretty much head and shoulders rights? They should be able to show you some examples of what kind of shot they are looking for.

I usually have an idea "book" where i jot down themes for shoots as they come to me. If i find a volunteer that fits one of the themes, then it's a go!! If only i had enough free time to do all my ideas...

A lot of models will have a certain look to them that will fit for certain types of styles. Make sure they match up to the theme as well as their wardrobe and make up.

Thanks for the tips everyone. I will keep these things in mind when dealing with future clients. James, I did not realize my spelling error lol. I have been brain dead all week from working 9-5 and then going to school 6-9 all week :s guess my Freudian brain took over haha