3 easy steps to follow to create portraits!
Step 1: Brainstorm
The first step in any art from is to brainstorm an idea. For me, the easiest way is to use a sketchbook or the notes app on my phone. Jot down important ideas that you want to turn into reality. Sketch thumbnails to help you visualize the final outcome.
I personally use a sketchbook, but my notes app is filled with one line ideas that spark out of nothing. It is important to aways carry something on you, as you never know when an idea will strike! At work, driving, with family or friends, an idea may pop up and you need to be ready!
For this series, I had an idea of photographing someone in a fun outfit to try and create an editorial style photoshoot. My inspiration had come from Vogue magazine covers.
Step 2: Find a Friend
Once you've brainstormed a solid idea, the next step is to find someone willing to help make it become a reality. Ask a friend, a family member, or a random stranger. In my experience, finding someone to photograph can be challenging as I need to venture out of comfort zone to talk to others. But once you do, it can be very rewarding!
In this specific series, I had reached out to my bestie, Julia, and asked her to model for me in the studio. I shared my idea of an editorial style photoshoot using a coat she owned and she immediately saw the vision. We worked together to create an outfit that fit the vibe I was going for and started!
Always collaborate with your model and never turn down an idea, as you may enjoy the outcome, even if it wasn't what you originally wanted.
Step 3: Experiment
The final step is the easiest, just photograph! Whether you're photographing outside or indoors, use your camera and experiment. No matter how long you have been taking photos or how little experience you have, experimenting is the best part as there is always something new to try. Whether with your camera, poses, lighting, etc you can always test new ways to create unique and fun portraits.
For this shoot, I wanted to try using the continuous lighting. It had been a couple of months since the last time I used a studio space so I had planned to play around with the lighting, using both warm and cool light settings. Not only this, but I love using models in my photography, so I wanted to focus on playing around with the posing and angles of the photographs.
When photographing portraits, angles and poses are the most important as you don't want the model to feel uncomfortable or look awkward. I was lucky and my friend naturally came up with poses but it can be helpful to have notes from your brainstorming stage to help give the model a sense of direction in the shoot. While you should direct your model in poses, it is just as important to listen to their opinions as the photoshoot is a collaborative experience.
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