5 EASY PORTRAIT STYLES

Shining the spotlight on five techniques that will make your portraits stand out

- Kim Bunermann

Portrait photography is a genre that offers endless possibilities for creativity, allowing you to capture the unique qualities of your subject's face while also telling a story through styling and scene-setting. It's a genre where even minimal equipment makes a difference to direct the light. Collaboration is key, as a portrait shoot brings together individuals from diverse backgrounds. From everyday faces and trained models to styling and make-up pros, the shooting environment can be a busy one.

To create a successful project, it's vital to communicate your vision clearly. A mood board is an essential tool for achieving this vision, as it brings together ideas and goals. Inspiration can be found all around us, whether in our own minds or the world outside. When working on your concept, think about what draws you into an image. Think about the lighting the set, the pose and the colour scheme you want to follow.

A mood board can be created with printed images of any kind, not just the photographic medium. Icons, posters and even paintings are a great inspiration. This visual aid will help with the flow of the shoot, keep you focused, and allow the model and the rest of the team to understand the look you want to convey, which creates a smoother workflow.

As the days get shorter, artificial light is essential for independent shooting. Over the following pages we'll discuss basic light setups and classic techniques, with the input of pro photographer Pete Jobson. With the insights, you'll be able to unlock the full potential of your subjects, and adjust settings to fit your vision and inspire your next portrait shoot.

1 CAPTURE CHARACTER

Choose your focal length for the type of portrait