Four techniques to get a better portrait photo.

Your portrait is your proof of your professionalism, character, confidence, approachability and friendliness.  In today’s environment—social media, LinkedIn, or company websites—a high quality portrait is a necessity.   You want to be recognized as a trusted professional, create your visual identity and gain a comfort level with potential clients or employer.   

There are many factors that go into making your portrait.  You need to consider the photographic skill and creativity of the photographer.  Additionally, you need to work and be comfortable with the person making your portrait.

1.        Lighting    Soft lighting that enhances your skin tone, reducing harsh shadows and highlights is best.  

2.        Composition   Balanced within the frame, that draws focus to your eyes and face. A clean background that is unobstructive and not distractive. 

3.        Sharpness & Focus   Your eyes should be sharp and the background a little fuzzy so the focus is on you.

4.        Connection   Your natural and authentic smile, facial expression and relaxed pose create that connection allowing your personality to come through.

The assignment was to do staff portraits.  Each person had 10-minute intervals.  There was a makeup artist to assist each person.  So within our shoot time, we had to quickly develop a rapport, alleviate the shyness and figure out how to get the best expression. A lighting setup, a large camera, and a fun and friendly photographer can be intimidating.  Quickly figuring out each person’s best qualities, gaining confidence and catching the natural expression is what a professional photographer does.  

Make no mistake, some people can get it done in one frame.  Some may take a bit longer.  It all works out. The selected imaged is adjusted in post-production.  And everyone is pleased.

Ask me anything, larrylevin@verizon.net

See my website www.LLLevin.com

Portraits: Formal & Informal

In a short period of time
capture that good expression. 

The purpose of a portrait is to capture the subject in a way that the viewer feels a connection with the person.  And importantly, the one photographed wants to look wonderful. The making of a portrait is a collaborative process between the person and the photographer.  The subject needs to be relaxed, comfortable and confident.  The photographer needs to engage the subject, pay attention to details, and be a master of the craft.  

The straight on portrait for social media use. Shot in horizontal format because 

there might be many uses for the photo and you can easily crop vertical

These images made at the Technical Program Committee meeting of OSA.  A quality of light, capturing an expression are vital in the portrait.  Found a well lit area and used an additional light. We made some formal portraits for about 20 attendees.  During the day, other shots of speakers, group discussions, and informal portraits were done.  The lighting for the other images was only the available light in the conference room.  It was a mixture of several lighting sources.  Thus color balance was fixed in post.

Informal spontaneous portrait

Group discussion
Patience and waiting for the nice moment. 

Copyright 2020 Laurence L. Levin   No reproduction rights granted without permission

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Leslie Sarasin

March 25, 2011--Crystal City, Virginia, Food Marketing Institute President and CEO Leslie Sarasin. For the Food Marketing Institute portraits of their executives and staff. Portraits were made on a seem-less background and in offices. Several days throughout the month so executives who were traveling could be photographed. Three lights Nikon SB-800 and pocket wizards made shooting throughout the office portable and manageable.