Portrait photography: everything you need to know to transform faces into art

Portrait photography is a genre that not only focuses on capturing the subject themselves, but also on reflecting their personality, their most authentic expressions and, in short, their essence. In this type of photography, the main objective is to highlight both the physical and emotional characteristics of the model. In addition, the portrait photographer must be able to tell a story through the image, using the subject’s expressions, the decoration of the surroundings and the lighting as key tools.

For those of you involved in portrait photography, you will already know that, although at first glance it may appear to be one of the most accessible disciplines, the reality is that it requires impeccable technical mastery as well as a great deal of experience. The photographer must not only know the technique in detail, but also be able to connect with the subject to capture that unique spark that turns a simple portrait into something more special.

 

 

In portrait photography, the photographer must capture and convey emotions through a powerful close-up.

Portrait photography: What is it and why is it so special?

 

 

Portrait photography aims to create a visual representation of models in a way that reflects their identity. This is achieved through a variety of approaches and styles, ranging from traditional portraits with carefully considered poses to more spontaneous and natural images.

The challenge for the portrait photographer is to capture the essence of the person in a single photograph. Whether it is showing their personality, professionalism in a corporate portrait, their versatility in a model book or simply the charisma of a child in front of the camera. Each image requires great technical skill and an artistic touch. To achieve this, the photographer must consider several key aspects, such as lighting, framing, background and composition, among others. In addition, knowing how to direct the model and take advantage of the resources available in the studio or the environment is essential to convey the right message in each portrait photograph.

If you are just starting to explore this discipline, a good starting point is to master the rule of thirds, which will help you to focus correctly on your subject. Also the rule of the eye, especially useful for profile portraits, is a key tool for creating balanced and powerful images.

Key elements for organising a portrait photography session

Although it may seem obvious, careful planning of a portrait photo shoot is crucial to get the best results. Depending on the type of model and the purpose of the images, the photographer will need to take a different approach. Here are some of the key things to keep in mind when planning a portrait session.

Key issues to consider before a portrait photography session

• Objective of the photo shoot: before the shoot, define the purpose of the shoot and the style of portrait you want to achieve: is it a formal or informal shoot, are you looking for individual or group portraits, where are the photographs to be published, etc. Having a clear concept will help guide all creative and logistical decisions.

• Selection of the location: depending on the purpose of the photo shoot, you will be able to choose the right place (e.g. studio or outdoor) to carry out this reportage, always taking into account the purpose of the photo shoot and the type of lighting you want to play with.

• Time: if you decide to do an outdoor session, take into account the time of day that best suits your lighting and weather needs. The golden hours of the day (sunrise and sunset) are very suitable for this type of images.

• Technical equipment: make sure you have the right photographic equipment ready for the shoot.

• Communication with the model: it is highly recommended that you have a previous talk with the model to be photographed to clearly define the objectives you want to achieve with your portrait photography. You can also take the opportunity to give him or her a series of suggestions about wardrobe, make-up, hairstyle, etc.

• Direction of the photo shoot: if the model is not a professional, it is important that you indicate beforehand how the photo shoot will take place and give him/her some examples of the simple poses that you will show him/her during the shoot so that he/she is prepared for the day.

Types of portrait sessions: find the style that’s right for you

Within the creation of a portrait image, you can find different specialisations. These are some of them:

• Social photography: children’s portraits, family portraits, personal portraits, boudoir or even couple portraits.

• Corporate sessions: professional portraits for employers and employees.

• School images: both university and children’s ornaments, school photographs, etc.

• Fashion and advertising: professional books and advertising photography for different brands, magazines, media, advertising, etc.

• Artistic or fine art style: more creative portraits where the aim is to experiment and create authentic works of art.

• Boudoir: more sensual close-up photography.

And these are just a few of them, because as you can see, portraiture can be present in almost any discipline. Although the most classic portrait photography has always been done inside a studio with a plain background. But like everything in life, portraiture has also evolved and now you can also see some fantastic portraits with more colourful backgrounds or taken on location.

Planning a portrait reportage

When planning your portrait photo session, these are some of the aspects to take into account on the day of the photo shoot.

• Preliminary aspects: if you have done your homework and planned your portrait photo shoot in advance, youwill have a script with the most important information that you will have to take into account to make a good photo shoot.

• Lighting: depending on whether the shoot will take place in your studio, in another indoor location or outdoors, you will need to have the most appropriate lighting equipment ready.

• Photographic equipment: whether the shoot will be indoors or outdoors, you will need to have some equipment ready.

• Other accessories: depending on the focus you want to give to your portrait photography, you can incorporate a specific background, props, tripod, shutter release, reflectors, flash, flash diffuser, etc. into the session.

• Direct your model: in portrait photography it is essential, unless you are dealing with a professional model, to know how to direct the client in order to achieve the desired result. Remember to discuss this before the shoot with your clients.

• Post-production process: once the session is finished, you can make a series of retouches and adjustments to achieve the desired result.

• Presentation of the photographs: so that you can increase your client’s initial budget, you can use the private galleries to present the final work. This way you will get them to buy more photographs, Arcadina Labs prints, hard copies, product packs, etc.

>> Strategies to sell my photos online without paying commissions to third parties

6 practical tips for doing business with portrait photography

 

When it comes to marketing your portrait images, there are several key strategies you can employ that will allow you to increase the profits from each shoot. Below we are going to share with you 6 ideas that will help you get more out of your portrait shoots.

1# Clarify all doubts directly on your photography website

Explain how you work on your photography website so that undecided visitors can not only enjoy your latest portraits, but also have their questions answered and be clear about what you have to offer.

If you prefer to keep certain information exclusive to those who contact you, you can create a Landing Page to share it only with your contacts via WhatsApp or even create a page with a password.

2# Create a gallery that is exclusively for portrait photography

Organise your portrait portfolio into different themed galleries. This way, visitors to your digital business will be able to appreciate the variety of styles you have mastered in portrait photography.

3# Leverage your photography blog to gain more exposure

 

You can create several blog posts about your latest portrait sessions. In these posts you can share useful tips for future clients who are looking for information about these sessions, you can also explain how you prepare a reportage or write a compilation of the last thematic portrait sessions you have done.

Some ideas you could discuss include: wardrobe recommendations, how to pose if you are inexperienced, locations close to your studio, the different uses of portrait photography, the uses and importance of portrait photography, etc.

4# Favour portrait bookings thanks to Booking service

If you start using the booking calendar service on your website so that visitors can book a portrait session directly. With this option, you will be able to create a campaign called “Portraits” and set up different types of sessions, such as studio, outdoor or fine art portrait sessions.

This way, your customers will be able to choose the day and time that suits them best and make the payment for the booking, all in a very simple way from your website.

>> How to get the most out of the Arcadina Booking Calendar?

5# Secure your work and automate processes with contract management

Once the client has booked their portrait session, secure your work and automate a number of processes with the option to create and send contracts through your dashboard.

This option, as well as being very convenient as it allows clients to sign the contract online, will allow you to use some of the photos from their photo shoot on your website and networks, if so stipulated in the contract.

>> You can now create and send contracts to your clients from Arcadina!

6# Continue to generate business through your private galleries

If you are encouraged to create a series of customer galleries with multiple options so that your customers can not only select the photographs they like the most, but also buy more images in digital format, prints, Arcadina Labs prints, custom packages, additional photos and many more options. The truth is that you will see how sales increase in each of the customers you get. A strategy that will undoubtedly grow your business.

In addition, this Arcadina business solution will save you a lot of time by allowing you to automate processes and spend less time working with each client.

10 photographers who take amazing portrait photography

There are many portrait photographers who trust us to manage their digital business and who have specialised in this discipline, either as their main service or as one of its many disciplines. That’s why today we want to highlight 10 of these talented professionals working in various fields of portraiture. We hope that this selection of portrait photography websites will not only inspire you, but also motivate you to continue exploring this fascinating genre.

1# Óscar Barea Photography: inspirational portraits

 

 oscarbareafotografia.com

We begin this compilation of portrait photography with the website of Óscar Barea Photography, a great professional who, in addition to doing portrait sessions, also specialises in organising all kinds of photo shoots: books, professional reportage, boudoir, pregnancy, weddings, gastronomic photography, sport and many more.

Among so many types of sessions, this photographer knows how to highlight each one of them by creating a gallery of images for each type of speciality. And for undecided visitors, this photographer has activated his Reviews section where many of his clients have already left their testimonials.

Did you know that you can now also connect your Google reviews to your photography website? In the following article we tell you about it.

>> Google reviews can now be added to your photography website

2# Claudia Uribe Fotógrafa: portrait sessions with movement

 

 claudiauribephoto.arcadina.com

Claudia Uribe is a portrait photographer who takes her creativity to different fields, such as fashion photography, classic portraits and children’s photography.

This photographer has opted to give a lot of visibility to her different image galleries showing portraits that really captivate the viewer in any of the disciplines that you can find on her website.

3# Alexandra Belmonte: creative portraits

 

 alexandrabelmonte.com

Alexandra is a photographer dedicated to capturing moments, emotions and moments in her different disciplines such as family photography sessions (children, babies, Christmas, smash cake, etc.), fallas, books. Although in her gallery of books you will be able to enjoy a very particular portrait photography, if you go through the rest of the galleries you will see how you will find portraits in all of them.

To give more visibility to her different photo shoots, Alexandra has created different image galleries. She has also created a small section where she presents herself and, more importantly, offers her clients a private space where they will be able to view, download, select and buy all the photos they want.

4# Luis Bañeres: family portrait

 

retratofamiliar.com

Luis Bañeres is a photographer who is dedicated, among other things, to making family portrait sessions to capture the different stages in the life of a family.

On his website, this photographer has created different image galleries to show some of his portrait sessions: family, children, pets, couples and personal books. On his website, people who are interested in having a session with this photographer will also find a lot of written information about his way of working.

5# Chopo Foto: portraits that capture the soul

 

chopofoto.com

Another portrait photography that we would like to highlight today is that of the photographer behind Chopo Foto, a photography studio in Barcelona where Javier does all kinds of photo shoots, such as portraits, events, architectural photography, landscape, nature, etc.

To highlight his portraits, this photographer has created a gallery of images exclusively to showcase them and in addition to briefly introducing himself in his biography, he also has one of our flagship tools, the private client galleries.

6# Quintero Fotografía: images that leave their mark

 

quinterofotografia.com

On Quintero Fotografía’s website you will be able to enjoy a gallery of portraits that will not leave you indifferent because of the way this photographer has managed, as well as capturing the subject, to transmit a feeling in each image.

So that visitors can better appreciate his work, on his website you will be able to enjoy different image galleries.

7# Begoña Rivas: portraits of unique instants

 

begonarivas.co.uk

Begoña Rivas is a photographer who, as well as doing unique portrait sessions of public figures, also does other types of photographic reportage, such as editorial photography, events, travel and corporate photography.

So that future clients can appreciate her way of working, this photographer has created different image galleries where she shows a selection of her most brilliant photos and to find out more about her career, you only have to go to her biography to see her latest work.

8# Alfonso Cappi: corporate portraits

 

alfonsocappi.com

Alfonso Cappi is a photographer from Madrid who does all kinds of photo and video sessions related to the world of advertising, events, etc. such as corporate photography, product photography and portraits, among other projects.

This photographer has a gallery of very visual images where he shows a small sample of his different specialisations. A way to capture the attention of his potential clients from the very first moment.

9# Aliccai: portraits that inspire elegance

 aliccai.com

Aliccai is a website where you will find a team of photographers who are specialised in making very elegant and surprising photo shoots.

When it comes to showing part of their work, this team has chosen to divide their work into colour, black and white and bodypaint. In this way they cause a greater impact and interest in their visitors who will also be able to consult the latest reviews of their clients.

And for those who are already their clients Aliccai have created a series of private galleries so that they can access and purchase more photos from their session.

10# Ollo Fotográfico: close-up portraits that make an impact

 

 ollofotografico.com

And we finish this small compilation of portrait photography with the website of Ollo Fotográfico, a photography studio located in La Coruña where they take portraits that leave no one indifferent.

This team of photographers, shows and explains in their service pages the different types of portrait photography reports that they carry out: books for actors, models, personal sessions, corporate reports and social networks.

If you like portrait photography, learn how to convey the essence of your model

As you have seen, there are many styles and approaches to portrait photography, but they all share the common goal of portraying the model with strength and personality. In your case, you should ideally find your own style that suits your unique way of capturing the essence of life.

Moreover, if you use the right tools, you will be able to sell more portrait photos. At Arcadina we encourage you to try our business solutions that are exclusively for photographers. They are free for 14 days and without permanence fees!

 

 

Today we want to share with you the interview with one of the family portrait photographers that we have presented to you today, Luis Bañeres.

>> Meet Luis Bañeres, portrait, children’s and stock photographer

Luis also does other types of portrait photography in addition to children and family portraits. In his studio he also offers sessions for models, personal, for artists and other professionals. In addition, some of the photographs he takes are used for the sale of stock photography.

And to say goodbye for today, we would like to ask you a question: What do you think is the most complicated thing about doing portrait sessions? We would love to read your experience in the comments.

 

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