How to create a great portrait — tips for budding photographers 📸
Here’s an example: A client or friend asks you take their photo for a headshot or for the purpose of showcasing what they look like to the world in the context that they wish to be seen. Lets say it is an : artist bio photo.
How does a good photographer handle this task? What can we do to make an impactful image that resonates not only with the subject but the viewer who will have their own unique interpretation?
Let’s say for example an architect needs a headshot to be displayed on their website and you are asked to create this image. What should a good photographer do next? It may be impossible to know what a good result will be as the basic structure of an image is how the elements, like shapes, lines, colors and tones, work together. If an image has no strong underlying structure, it fails.
When I am approached for a portrait project, I will have a discussion with the client on how they would like to appear and then we can move on to scouting locations. Do they want to appear approachable? — Maybe a public space would make a great shooting location. Do they want to convey professionalism? — at their desk or in their office or against a simple white wall backdrop might be the best approach.
Ultimately, the location or background is not the focus of creating a great portrait. The focus is the individual themselves, however, a good photographer needs a background or location that frames them correctly in terms of lighting, contrast, shapes, lines, and structure.
A portrait of Principal Architect, Lukas Armstrong, of Stand Architecture.
The above image’s purpose was to be used as a headshot for the architects website — https://www.standarchitecture.com/ . The client wanted a slightly more candid/relaxed shots, not just corporate straight on headshot.
A good photographer must understand that they will need to move around a lot and try to control the shadows of the subject but not the light. A good portrait creates structure and balances light and dark, warm & cool. This is why I use prime lenses when shooting — the fixed focal length challenges the photographer and forces them to move and position the subject in the best way possible.
Artist bio portraits can be especially challenging — I can attest to the fact that the intimacy of having my own portrait taken can be nerve wrecking when you are in front of the lens.
My cousin, Julien Paris, who is an illustrator just launched his first comic book recently asked to have his portait taken by me for the new release of his book. Although we knew each other very well, our first attempts to create the portait were challenging. We tried a some shots of him at his desk but they came off distracting — too many elements were in the shot. We finally got a good shot when we were not trying so hard.
Artist portrait for Julien   Paris. The subject liked this image because it shows him in his daily routine.
The above “masterpiece” is a shot that was more easily composed by having lots of time and patience in the composition of this image. Most shoots for clients need to occur on a specific time schedule — and a good photographer will have scouted the location before in hope of being prepared for the client and avoiding moving around aimlessly in search of the right angle and shadows. In the image shown above, everything was spur of the moment as we were having some tea on our aunts porch in Bordeaux, France. Luckily time was on our side.
My cousin is a graphic designer and professional image retoucher. He desired to add a slight amount of sepia tone to the image. While I did agree with this edit in hopes of balancing the yellow/green background. Ultimately, the image/subject appears interesting and intriguing. The image is balanced in terms of color with a combination of blues, white and neutral greys. Also, the railing and beam bring attention to the subject. He also enjoyed the fact that his son is in the shot, even if he is obscured in the foreground.
Great portraits take time. Scouting locations, understanding the purpose and meaning of the shot, the time of day and lighting, what to wear or how to pose are all challenges that the photographer faces.
In conclusion, don’t let yourself get too caught in the details though — Or do!
Great portaits take time and cannot be rushed — being prepared is key and setbacks are normal, so don’t be afraid to try again.
Matthew Bolt is a professional photographer and an undisciplined creative with 16+ years of experience shooting architecture. If you have a moment please take a look at my websites:
www.matthewboltphotography.com
www.matthewbolt.com — UX
@matthewbolt_photography — instagram
