By demand I’m writing more about the business of photography or, at least, the behind-the-scenes of a photography business. Not because I’ve got it figured it out. In fact, I’ve resisted writing about business because I don’t have it all figured out. Sharing my experiences won’t make you an expert. But maybe it will help you avoid some of the pitfalls of that 85%.
An astounding 85% of us are failing in business – we’re not making it into our 3rd year of business. This number means that more of us need support in the business endeavor just as much as the creative one. We need to understand the engine behind the camera. What goes on in the day-to-day realities of a photographer. If you don’t know, how can you make sure you succeed?
Today I want to talk about portrait photography. That is, the business of taking images of people. This is a whole different beast than fine art photography, commercial photography, etc. It’s even different from newborn photography.
There is a romantic idea about the photography business.
It will be so fun. I will get to take beautiful images all day and people will see my work and I will leave behind a legacy of beautiful images. Spending each day doing what I love will make life feel like a vacation.
Reality check coming.
You will be hired by flawed but beautiful people. Their insecurities, worries and body image ideas will make many of them ridiculously uncomfortable in front of a camera. The truth is – real people have wrinkles, double chins, baby weight, chubby ankles and imperfect skin. They are beautiful in spite of it or maybe even because of it. It’s these characterizations that are life’s battle marks and part of what I love about photography. But the images you take – even if they are gorgeous portraits – will be rejected by clients because they think their nose looks crooked, their hips look wide, their ears stick out too much, or their smile looks funny.
I’ve heard it all. Images I love as an artist have been relentlessly put through the chopping block. Part of my job as a photographer is bringing out the best in my clients. Making them understand that they are wonderful, loved, and their images will be treasured by those who love them is part of what I strive to do. But you will battle the human psyche.
Rejection of your work is an everyday reality when clients choose their images and place their orders. You have to have thick skin.
“Omgosh, I HATE that one. I look ridiculous!”
“Ew, I look fat.”
“My teeth look weird.”
“I would like that one if I wasn’t so _______” {insert any flaw of choice here.}
You need to learn how to make your clients comfortable. Nothing is more awkward in a portrait than a nervous subject. In order for them not to be nervous…
… they have to trust you.
Trust you. As an artist. That you will make them look good. That you will emphasize what they feel most confident about, and help them down play their insecurities. That will you will not make them look like someone else, or modify them so much they look fake.
How do we, as artists, earn the trust of our clients?
First, we have a portfolio that doesn’t just show our work… it SHOUTS it. Your portfolio isn’t there to simply show off your talent. It’s there to instill trust in your clients. It shouts, “look what I can do for you!” They want to be able to imagine themselves on your portfolio page.
Secondly, tell them. A simple, “I’m on your team! If you don’t look good, I don’t look good,” goes a long way. And then, do your homework. Study the industry greats. Learn what shapes, angles and light sources do what for every body type. Pose them in ways that make them look beautiful, feel confident, and diminish their insecurities. Don’t emasculate men. Don’t make women look wider than they are. Don’t make children look sexy. Pointing your camera at them isn’t enough. Educate yourself so you can educate them.
Thirdly, if a pose isn’t working. Simply change it. Most people will naturally fall into a body position that’s natural and comfortable for them. Unscripted body posing can be so amazing for a photographer. Often time it works. Sometimes it doesn’t work right in camera. Poor posture, wide stances, space between people will make your image look awkward – even if people can’t always put their finger on why. It is your responsibility to make sure your clients look relaxed, natural and unposed, even if you did pose them.
Lastly, have thick skin. If you create a gallery of say 30 to 40 images for your client, they will realistically throw at least half of them out right away. If you take this personally, your clients will feel awkward about ordering. Understand that, in portraiture, in a photo session there may only be 5-10 images your client loves. You need to feel confident that you’ve presented beautiful, technically perfect images, in a range of expressions, with several variations for them to choose. If they love 5 you have succeeded.
I have been told many times, “Oh my gosh, you have so many beautiful people in your portfolios. How do you manage to only get beautiful people as clients??” My clients are mostly average Middle Americans. The secret??
A relaxed, confident, sincere smile makes everyone look amazing.
Today’s behind the scenes tips:
- Be technically perfect so the rejection you face is because of their insecurities not your lack of knowledge.
- Learn how to make all body types look good. The number of size 2 models with perfect skin, hair, smiles, etc. that hire you will be almost zero.
- Be confident that you know how to make them look good. When you’re confident, they will be, too.
- Make the session relaxed and fun. Be funny with them. I find my self-deprecation and sense of humor gets me far better photos than if I pretend to be all serious and business-like.
- Have a portfolio of all types. Make it SHOUT.
What are some other tips or advice you might have for new portrait photographers?
great article! I got really discouraged recently when I took some pics for a friend and she hated how she looked in almost every picture! The problem is most people don’t say “i don’t like how I look in that picture” they just say “ew I hate that picture!” Its been difficult for me not to take that personally! But I have to remind myself they’re looking at themselves not the overall quality of the picture! (hopefully!)
Thank you for this–it is excellent information! I have really been trying to work on this subject, especially since I have two senior shoots coming up–one of a very, very large boy and one of a girl with pretty noticeable deformities. I know I was asked to take their portraits because they will feel more comfortable with me since we see each other socially some, but I am looking for every tip I can find to blow them away with results! If you know of any resources to help with these situations, I would love to know!
Christine – you have a challenge in front of you. Society puts so much pressure on people to look like a magazine cover. The further people deviate from that “norm” (which btw – is not at ALL the norm) the more self-conscious they tend to be.
Bambi Cantrell has great posing and lighting advice for photographing those bigger body types. Look up her advice about using a dark reflector (black) and shooting from the side. This is flattering for round faces.
Let us know how it goes! It speaks volumes about how much you are trusted to be chosen to capture their images.
Thank you for taking the time to share this information with us.
Thank you for taking the time to share this information with us.
Wow. Thanks for this info.
Thanks Darcy. I always enjoy your nuggets of wisdom and advice for newbies like me.
I absolutely love this “The truth is – real people have wrinkles, double chins, baby weight, chubby ankles and imperfect skin. They are beautiful in spite of it or maybe even because of it. It’s these characterizations that are life’s battle marks” it speaks so much, not only about photography but real life….I need to remember this when I am behind the camera…but more importantly when I am in front of the camera, or with no camera at all. This might just be my new mantra.
It’s much easier to embrace that mantra when you’re behind the lens instead of in front of it!
xo.
Some great advice here to help ordinary folks like myself to take better family photo too. Thanks Darcy, so much truth in what you have shared.
Great article – everyone who takes photos of people has to remember that 90% or more of your clients are NOT looking at your techinical know how – they are looking at themselves very critically. They hired you because you know the techinical stuff. As Darcy said, you can’t let their displeasure in how they feel about themselves effect your ability to keep producing beautiful portraits. They are NOT rejecting you – but themselves. Which is part of your job as their photographer to convince them in the beauty you see and saw during their photo session.
Hugs Darcy! you rock! just sayin’
Jill
What a great article!!
Darcy,
Well written real world advice. Refreshingly honest.
thank you thank you thank you. this is a great article. whenever i think im almost there, i can take real people’s photos now, i find another thing i should know more about. You are so right, it is the photographers job, not the subjects job, to know what will look most flattering/good in a photo. it is a photographers responsibility. really this is a great insight. and BTW i just L.O.V.E that first B&W pic.
What sort of editing would you do on this kind of shoot.
I find people ask my to remove wrinkles, bad skin and make them look more magazine perfect.
That’s a personal call. The younger they are, the less they tend to need help. I like to leave faces full of gorgeous freckles but I will help remove blemishes – since those are temporary.
I guess I look at permanence vs. temporary conditions. Teens won’t always have teenage skin. I remove scratches but ask about scars. And I tend to leave wrinkles… although I will soften the 50+ skin a bit to be more flattering. Just not to the point they don’t look like themselves.
If they are older adults, I want them to look like well-rested, beautiful {whatever their age is}. Not like 25 year olds where their friends looks at the picture and laugh.
I feel very uncomfortable about liquify – and use it rarely if ever. It’s just my own personal comfort line. I know many use it liberally – and as long as the clients are comfortable with it, then so be it.
thanks for the wonderful information. I have the habit of photography, but having such information in hand helps me to give the best output as well. these are really wonderful tips on this.
This is better than good! Fantastic advice : )
mmmwwaaaahhh!
haha that was funny about the “beautiful people in your portfolio” comment. Thanks for the tips as always! I am one who needs reassurance, so I especially like your first behind the scenes tip.
I never really thought how the photographer might take peoples reaction to pictures that are typically based100% based on insecurities. That does make becoming a photographer sound less magical! ;D Thanks for sharing!
Great post!! Thanks for sharing.
Darcy, I very much admire you for sharing all of your wealthy wisdom! I love this post and it’s exactly the advice that I’ve needed. I struggle even with taking casual/candid pics of family and friends at get togethers, knowing the insecurities that most have in front of the camera. Which is why I enjoy photographing flowers and nature instead of people.
But would love to get better at taking photos of people. And this info has given me some great insight. Thanks!
I am not photographing for a business, but I do take photos of my friends (and their families) regularly. I def. need to learn more about posing various shapes and sizes.