How to become a portrait photographer

How To Become a Successful
Portrait Photographer

How to Start

1. There are many different areas in Portrait Photography - Family Groups,
   Individual, Fashion Photography, Bands, kids - Try to decide which one you favour and concentrate on it.

Pre-Shoot Preparation

1. Talk to the person or group you are going to photograph and get an idea of the type of shots they are looking for, If you have some previous work, show them. If not photographs in magazines are good to show. Give the person or group some ideas to get them going. They will appreciate your help and innovation.

On the Day

1. One of the most important aspects of Portrait photography is the lighting. If indoors, whether in a studio or not you have the most control over lighting. Make yourself familiar with flash, reflectors, white balance.
   If outdoors - recce the location first to see where the sun will be at a particular time. Reflectors may come in useful here.
2. Try out different angles - don't just go for the obvious straight on look. Try left, right from above. Get them to lie down and shoot from above. Use the time well and be creative. As you do this more and more you will soon get to know what works well.
3. Try different lenses - wide-angle, Telephoto, Zoom. Don't stick to the standard 50mm.
4. Always make sure your pictures are pin-sharp with no ugly shadows. Try to ensure your subject was not blinking in the photo. Use reflectors to get the "catch lights" in the eyes. If shooting digitally review your shots regularly.

Final Thoughts

1. Practice, Practice, Practice - Use friends and family as models. Build a portfolio to show potential clients.
2. Don't be afraid to experiment with different poses, lighting techniques, black and white and props.
3. The key to portrait photographer is to build a relationship with your subject. Make them laugh, chat to them about what they are looking for, make them feel relaxed - tell them what you are doing. They need to enjoy it, so the pictures will have a natural look.
4. Have Fun !!

How to become a successful wedding photographer

How To Become a Successful
Wedding Photographer

How to Start

1. Ask to shoot a friend or relatives wedding.
2. Approach a professional wedding photographer and offer to assist. What have you got to lose ? - They can only say no.
3. For the first couple of weddings you do, offer to do them for free. Explain to the couple that you are new to this and that you may make some mistakes. Show them other non-wedding photos you have taken, so they can see you are competent. Remember everyone is on a budget these days, so some couple may be very grateful for this offer. If it is taken up it helps build up your portfolio which you can then show to potential paying clients.

Pre-Shoot Preparation

1. If possible visit the location and prepare a list of shots - include group shots, bride and groom, arrival shots etc.
2. Prepare a list of back-up shots in case of bad weather.
3. Clean and Test all of your equipment. Make sure you are familiar with how it all works. You don't want to be messing about with a ISO setting with the bride and groom standing there waiting.

The Wedding Day

1. Ask before-hand to shoot the bride getting ready for her big day. These make for extra-special shots that not many wedding photographers think of taking.
2. Get yourself in a good position to take the arrival shots. A good shot here is the father with the bride before he gives her away.
3. Keep your pre-prepared shot list with you. This will help you if you become nervous and forget what you are supposed to be doing. If when you prepare this list you add type of lens to each shot, possible ISO setting, F-stop, shutter speed etc it will become invaluable during the pressure of the day.

After the Big Day

1. Your work doesn't stop after the day of the wedding. There are the contact sheets to produce, so the married couple can choose wish pictures they like the best.
2. An idea here is to put this on a web site, so all their friends and family can see. This may help increase your sales as more people are viewing the pictures.

Final Thoughts

1. The day itself will be nerve-wrecking, but try to have some fun. If you are relaxed (even outwardly) your subjects will feel at ease too making for better shots.
2. Learn which style of wedding photography you would like to specialize in. Reportage, traditional, black and white. Use your first couple of weddings to experiment. Talk with the couple beforehand to see which style they would be happy with. However better results are seen by not mixing styles, but just sticking with one.