Good Portraits Increase Photo Sales

Portraits are a major portion of photo sales for many photographers. Staying “fresh” is a challenge for still many more photographers. Photo sales are generated when a lot of people like what is produced consistently by the photographer. But for many photographers, the boredom consumes them. They either get stuck in a rut. Or, they fail to realize what makes salable portraits. That doesn't have to be the case. Find your style - but be creatively flexible. Pay attention to your subject. Regardless of how they may appear to you, they are depending on you to make them look real good! Often, they're nervous. You, the photographer, must put them at ease. If you can't do so, chances are you won't get many good shots during the session. Pay attention to your subject. Relax them. Build their confidence. Success follows!

This is Casaundra. Photographing her was fun and easy. She's attractive and has a bright smile.	Casaundra's eyes almost "steal" every shot. So, I varied the angle and height of the camera when shooting.	You can not in these poses that her smile is consistently bright. Straight on, her smile stands out.

Headshots are one of the most popular photo sales for many photographers.	Changing the camera angle opens her eyes wider.	Filters and rendering the photo in black and white produces attractive shots which also increase photo sales.

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The next four shots are variations of the same pose. I asked her to move her right arm and shift her weight.	Every subject I shoot isn't as flexible as Casaundra. I use her photos as posing examples.	Same pose - different angle. One of the results is that she looks more mature than her actual age (she loves this shot).

Even without her smile, her face is very photogenic. She is actually shy. Getting her to relax made the difference in the session	I often break the rules in my work. I purposely shot this off-center. I do this style often.	The posing stool is one of my most used props. Although the stool isn't seen in most of the shots, it's there and provides good staging for poses.

A change in clothes dramatically changes the mood of the photos	Her smile and eyes are still alluring and attention-getting. The colorful blouse adds a "tone."	The final image of this shot minimizes the light. It is darker and conveys a stronger mood of femininity.

Often, black and white outshines color by leap years.	This shot conveys a maturity beyond her years.	Same shot in black and white.

In this pose we eliminated the side head tilt and had her lean forward slightly.	Same pose with a different camera angle and a longer shot.	Photo sales can increase when the photographer can be creative without being to "way-out."

As a photographer, I attempt to get as much as possible out of each subject/model that I photograph. During the pre-shoot interview I ask the subject what type of portraits they want. Based on that information I plan the shoot. I also include ideas that will take many variations on poses, moods and tones. I assume the role of a movie director and "guide" them through the poses that produces the portraits that they told me that they want. I treat the subject like a "star." They relax, feel confident and pose well. All in all, this strategy keeps me up on what impacts my photo sales and what is salable.