If you’ve ever applied for a job, commemorated a special occasion, or simply wanted to express some creativity, chances are you’ve come across portrait photography. But what is portrait photography exactly, and what makes it unique?
Portrait vs. Candid Photography
The short answer is that portrait photography is carried out with a specific purpose in mind. Think family gatherings, LinkedIn headshots, and those artsy campaign photos for clothing and cosmetics companies. The event is planned, the lighting is optimal, and the finished product is polished and perfect. It is (and looks) staged, but that doesn’t matter; it’s all about capturing the essence of the person in the photo. If you still can’t picture it, check out some of these portrait photography examples.
Candid photography is different. This is what most people would refer to as “normal” photography. Its purpose is to capture the moment as it’s happening. The photos are taken in a wide range of settings and lend a more personal feel to the finished result. This is not to say candid photos are never planned or can’t be taken by a professional—they often are; it’s just a different style of photography.
Styling and Positioning
Candid photography captures a moment in time. Portrait photography is more precise and focuses on the subject, using sets, props, lighting, and a specified position to get the best possible results. The process is deliberate, and the person is captured at their best, in exactly the way their image is supposed to be preserved. Portrait photography often takes place inside a studio as this gives the photographer more control over the lighting, conditions, and general ambience, and ensures all the necessary equipment is to hand. Portrait photography can be done outside, but this can be more challenging due to the changeable lighting and sometimes inclement weather conditions.
Portrait photography involves thorough planning: Everything from hair and makeup to lighting and backdrop is thought out in advance. Usually, the subject is the star of the show so the background is minimal, but some backgrounds can add interest and dimension without detracting from the focus.
A portrait photo shoot can range from a simple professional headshot, where the aim is to identify and market the subject, to one that allows for more artistic license, featuring complex poses, props, or striking styling. Either way, a portrait photo shoot aims to capture the essence of the person and the story they are trying to tell.
Settings and Equipment
If you have an interest in photography, you may be wondering what equipment is needed for a portrait photo shoot. For the average person, not much equipment is required. An amateur photo shoot can be completed with as little as a smartphone, the subject, and whatever props you come across. Many social media influencers get by very well like this, producing popular and often entertaining images to be enjoyed by the masses. The product is the person, and the photos are their daily journal; quality isn’t always a priority.
Getting professional photos involves much more, usually requiring a studio, expensive cameras, lenses, lighting equipment, tripods, filters, reflectors, backdrops, batteries, and editing software at a minimum. These are not things the average person will have access to, or the expertise to operate, which is why professional headshots come at a cost.
Professional vs. Amateur Photography
With all this extra equipment and expense, you may be wondering whether going to a professional is worth it. In an age where cameras are easy to come by and everyone thinks they’re a photographer, who needs a professional photo shoot?
The answer to this largely depends on your own needs and preferences, but in terms of whether the final product is different, the short answer is yes. If you’re simply looking to experiment with your appearance or are hoping to up your game on Instagram, your smartphone may suffice, but you’ll get nowhere near the quality a professional photo shoot can provide.
A professional photographer has the correct equipment, the training, and the creative talent to take your photos to a new level. With a professional photographer, the composition will be spot on, and any “imperfections” will likely be there intentionally. They will have a story in mind and will quickly and effectively be able to bring that story to life.
Many people worry that entering a studio will instantly put a damper on things, or that the photos will appear stilted or false because they haven’t been taken on a whim. However, a good photographer shouldn’t only have the skills and expertise to create a polished product; they should also inspire you and create an enjoyable experience that shows in the results. In short, if the photos don’t mean much to you or are being taken just for fun, you can snap those portraits on your phone with minimal trouble. However, if you’re more invested in the finished product or are using the photos for promotional purposes, a professional shoot is the way to go.
Going to a Professional Photo Shoot
If you’ve decided on a professional portrait shoot, here are answers to some frequently asked questions about what to expect.
FAQs
1. What happens when I arrive?
What to expect when you arrive at a photo shoot largely depends on what you have booked. Some shoots begin with hair and makeup, whereas others simply require you to arrive as you’d like to be photographed. For professional headshots, you’ll usually be asked to show up the way you’d look for an interview. The photographer will then put you in front of the camera for a lighting test and adjust as needed.
A good photographer should guide you through every stage of the process, allowing you time to relax and feel at ease. They will suggest poses for you and be willing to take ideas on board if you have a certain look you’re going for. You’ll likely get the chance to look through your photos fairly early in the process, so you’ll know what’s working and what isn’t. This way, there will be no surprises. You may be able to choose your images during the session, or you may have the chance to choose from a selection of low-res images once you get home.
2. What should I wear?
The type of clothing you wear to a photo shoot depends on what you want to achieve. If you’re trying to take a professional headshot, wear what you would wear to an interview. For a corporate position, the dress code may be formal, so think suits and shirts. For men, tidy facial hair or a clean-shaven look is best. For women, minimal makeup in neutral tones is the safest bet, and jewelry should be tasteful and minimal. If you normally wear glasses, it’s fine to wear them for your photo shoot.
But what if your career doesn’t require formal dress? For musicians, artists, fashion designers, and similar jobs, you may have more room to express your personal style. Regardless, you should err on the side of caution if your photo is intended for a professional website or a platform like LinkedIn. Swap the suit for clothing you feel most comfortable in, but make sure it’s clean and pressed and that the colors complement each other and your skin tone. You should still avoid excessive makeup and low-cut clothing, and make sure your hair looks tidy.
For any other portrait photo shoot, the world is your oyster! Photography studios usually recommend bringing several changes of clothing, and some even offer a hair stylist and makeup artist to help you get ready before the shoot begins. Make sure you know exactly what is included with your photo shoot before you arrive. It may be worth having a chat with the photographer beforehand to ensure you are both on the same page.
3. Will the shoot take place outside? What if it rains?
Portrait photography usually takes place in a studio, particularly when you’re going for professional headshots, so you shouldn’t have to worry about the weather. However, there are exceptions, and you may prefer your background to be more natural. There are photographers who specialize in portrait photography outside the studio, so if this appeals to you, make sure you call ahead to see if your photographer is up to the challenge. You may have to deal with wind, changeable lighting, and lack of privacy, but in return you’ll get interesting, textured backdrops and a finished product that stands out from the rest.
If you choose to have your photo shoot outside, you should also check with the photographer regarding whether you can reschedule due to inclement weather. Usually, photographers will check the weather forecast and talk about rescheduling if the chance of rain is above 50%.
4. How long will the shoot last?
Portrait photo shoots usually last from 45 to 90 minutes in a studio, stretching to two hours when carried out on location or outdoors. For solo portraits, it is possible to reduce this to 30 minutes. Of course, if you include hair and makeup in the shoot, it will take longer, and you will also need to factor in the time it takes to get ready and travel to the studio.
5. How many photos will I receive?
For a standard photo shoot, you’re likely to receive three to five polished, fully edited photos from the session. When you’re choosing your photos at home—and sometimes even in the studio—your photographer may also send around 50-100 low-res, unedited images. The number of photos you receive will usually depend on your package, but this is a rough guideline.
6. Will the photographer advise me during the shoot?
Yes, a good photographer will always provide you with direction and make you feel at ease. The shoot will see you working together to produce the best selection of images possible, so they should take your ideas on board and provide feedback and advice. As the person looking through the camera, your photographer will be able to see which angles and poses are the most flattering and direct you accordingly.
7. How long does it take to get the photos back?
There is no set time frame on this, but a photographer will usually send your photos within five days if you are being sent a selection of low-res images. This gives them time to weed out nonviable images before letting you decide which to keep. Following this, you’ll usually get your high-res, edited, finished products back within two weeks.
8. Can I see the photos during a photo shoot?
You will usually be able to see your images during the shoot, as this can help you work out which poses are best for you. If there are outfit changes involved, a photographer will often look through the photos with you before each change, so you know how to proceed.
9. How do I choose a photographer?
When you’re booking a photo shoot, chances are you’ll be faced with a multitude of photographers to choose from, so spend some time reading reviews. Take a look at the photographer’s work so you can decide whether it will be suitable for your needs, and choose someone you’ll feel comfortable with. If you’re not used to having your photo taken in a studio, it’s important that your photographer can make you feel at ease and not rush you into buying photos you’re not happy with. A good photographer should be able to work with people as well as the camera.
10. How much do headshots cost, and will I be charged for the session or per photo?
Whether you’re charged for a photography session or per picture largely depends on what you book. Shoots that come with hair and makeup are usually charged at a fixed rate and come with a set number of photos. You will then be charged for each additional photo you choose. The cost itself varies widely and is dependent on where you are in the world and the expertise of the photographer. Studios in high-demand locations like New York City will charge at a premium, but most headshot photographers will charge from $150 to $450, depending on the length of the photo shoot and their expertise.
11. What if I don’t like any of the photos?
Let’s face it, while many of us are perfectionists, not all of us are photogenic. Even if you have the best intentions, it is not always possible to capture an image of yourself that you’re happy with on any given day. Perhaps the studio atmosphere threw you off your game, or you simply didn’t wake up looking your best. Never fear, because there’s a brand-new solution at hand.
AI Image Generation
So you’ve done the research, you’ve worked out the costs, and yet that perfect photo still eludes you. Perhaps you don’t have time to make it to the studio, you’ve realized it’s too expensive, or you simply didn’t like any of the photos you ended up with when you did go. After all, some of us just look better in real life! In other cases, you may just want to be a bit more adventurous. A portrait photo shoot can offer more than just a headshot, but not all of us can afford one or have the time to get creative.
If any of the above options apply, why not create an AI portrait/headshot? It’s easy with Portrait Pal. Find out more here.
This technology is designed to capture you at your prime, whether you’re looking your best on the day or not, and makes for a cheap and easy way to experiment with your look. For those of us who feel confident, approachable, and on point day-to-day but struggle to look that way in a photo, it might be the ideal solution. All you need to do is upload a selfie and the technology will do the rest. It’s quick and inexpensive, and you’ll end up with a selection of refined, enhanced, and perfected images to use on your website or LinkedIn profile. You’ll have plenty to choose from, so there’s bound to be one that captures your essence.
Perhaps more intriguingly, there may be photos that don’t capture how you feel at all. If this is the case, you may find out what life would have looked like if you’d taken a different path. What if you’d chosen an outdoorsy career instead of an office-based one, or accepted that job in Barbados? Perhaps you’re regretting not starting that skincare regime a little earlier—how would you have looked if you had? Sometimes, it’s the images that aren’t quite you that are the most interesting of all.
In summary, portrait photography involves more than just posing for a headshot. It’s multifaceted and involves intention, artistic talent, and, most importantly, storytelling. But whether that story is whimsical and experimental or simply a representation of how you look at work, you’ll want to make sure you’re looking your best.