The magic of portraiture isn’t in the lighting, the setup, the layout, the exposure, the rule-breaking or any other aspect of the image. Instead, the magic of portraiture lies in your connection with subjects and the magic you create. Timing is everything. This is a human endeavour, not a technical one.
Getting to know you
Step into your subject’s world. Ask about their life, their interests, their family and their career. Make the conversation as you work. If, like me, you love to chat, remember to listen. If you’re less extroverted, you already have an advantage as a listener: it’s the listening that is the trick.
Forming a relationship with your subject creates intensity in your portraits. As your subject relaxes, the micro-muscles in the face change and intense eye…
