Portraits and 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! |
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| Trish strikes a few poses for portraits. |
Relaxing her was not a problem. Being relaxed helped her to try differen poses. |
The chair provides a good prop. When using props, be careful that they don't overwhelm the image. |
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| This pose is a basic "break-the-rules" technique. It adds "attitude" to this portrait. |
This shot is purposely off-centered. This is a style that I use often with varying degrees of success. |
Cropping this shot in landscape versus portrait is a basic "break-the-rules" technique. |
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| For me, portrait photo sales are brisk due to the slight "break-the-rules" techniques that I use. |
Sitting and being barefoot aren't standard normally recommended. But, clearly, the subject is relaxed. |
Confidence increases in your model/subject's enjoyment of the photo session. |
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| These two shots are the same photo. The images were processed differently. |
A softening filter was used in processing this shot. It doesn't show as well on a web page. |
This is a standard portrait with the camera at a slight angle. |
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.
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