Pieces of the Picture

This may seem strange for me to list that the first thing you need is a good subject, because of the fact that we’re not talking about fashion models or paid models, but we’re talking about customers who are paying you to photograph them and make the best portrait of them you can. So no matter what they look like, you have to perform your magic on them. So why do I say, the first thing you need in order to make a great senior portrait is a good subject? The reason is, unless you have a good subject, you won’t get a great portrait.

So what exactly makes a great subject? The first thing you need in a subject is a good attitude. One that is willing to take direction and cooperate in order to get the best portrait from you. The second is you need a subject who is willing to take your direction is explaining to them exactly how to make them look their best and most appealing. Not every subject is a supermodel. So if you have a subject who is overweight, then you don’t want them dressing like a supermodel. Something more reserved and something that hides the unwanted weight and accentuates the better features of them, for example their smile or their eyes. If a really heavy subject wears a tank top and shows off their flabby arms, then how do you think you can best flatter them. It will be difficult. It won’t be impossible, but indeed difficult. The point is to ensure your subject trusts you and is willing to take direction from you, the professional. You don’t have to be rude and say, you’re fat. But you can just suggest that in order to make them look their best, they should wear such and such or don’t wear this or that. That’s what makes a good subject. Not the fact that they look like Will Smith or Jennifer Aniston but the fact that they trust you and listen to your suggestions to make them look the most appealing that you can.

Another thing that makes a good subject is one who is excited about the entire process and wants to do whatever they can to help you make the best possible portrait of them. A good sign is that they suggest ideas, get excited with your ideas, remain positive throughout the session, maintain an open mind with your suggestions, etc.

These are the things that make a good subject. Most of the time, this is the least area of concern. Most seniors have great attitudes. They want to be there. They want to look good. They want to try “something different”. They aren’t usually opposed to your creativity. In fact, often times while they trust you and trust that you have good ideas, they bring their own to the table. A good idea is to tell them to bring ideas that they would like to use, like other examples from their friends, clippings from magazines or even pictures printed from the internet. In this day and age, teens are very self aware of their appearance and want to look amazing. They are very self conscience and will pretty much try anything. Getting cooperation is usually not going to be an issue. Rarely do you have a parent who drags in a senior “kicking and screaming”. Take plenty of portraits and get plenty of choices. There is usually quality in the the midst of quantity.

Again, you don’t don’t need to be a supermodel on the outside, it’s the attitude that’s on the inside that will make a great subject.