If you think you might want a career as a photographer, and love people, you should consider concentrating your efforts on becoming a portrait photographer. The clients who are posing for you probably won't be professional models. You will have subjects that come in every shape, size, and color. The professionals have some tricks they use to create the sort of woman portrait photography Los Angeles clients love.
You need to have a meeting with your client prior to the photo shoot. During the meeting you can discuss what the client's goals are for the photo shoot. This will determine the kind of pose, makeup, clothing, hair, and background most appropriate for the shoot.
You should ask your client plenty of questions about her life, her work, and her interests and hobbies. This will give you a sense of the personality of your client. It will also inform the photographs you take.
Everyone has a more flattering side, and it is not unusual for the women you photograph to have strong opinions about which side is her best. You may not agree with the client, but you're going to have to take her concerns into account. If you ignore her opinions, you might end up with what are to you fantastic photos. The client will probably hate them however. As you gain experience, you'll learn to adjust your lighting and camera angles to maximize the client's best features.
You have to pay special attention to the subject's legs. You want to avoid awkward angles that give the appearance of stiffness. If you are photographing a mature woman you might have her seated with her legs crossed. This is usually flattering and makes her look graceful and poised. Younger women can be posed sitting on the ground or leaning against a tree with their ankles crossed for example. Bending the leg in some way softens the pose.
Along the same lines, you must address the problem of what to do with women's hands. Because they are not professional models, it can be difficult for them to know what to do. You could suggest holding their faces with their hands, interlacing fingers casually in front of them, or intertwining their hands in their hair as ways of solving the problem. Once they are comfortable with where their hands are, women are more likely to relax.
One thing you can count on is that women will be concerned that their pictures will make them look fat. You have to be careful with the angle you choose to keep that from happening. One trick a lot of photographers use is to photograph the subject from slightly below the camera level. This is a way to elongate a neck and define a jawline. You don't want the angle to be so severe though that the subject is looking straight up.
You need to take advantage of the natural environment. A look that is slightly windblown and irises that reflect the sunlight are especially compelling. If the weather is cooperative, you need to consider shooting outdoors in open shade.
You need to have a meeting with your client prior to the photo shoot. During the meeting you can discuss what the client's goals are for the photo shoot. This will determine the kind of pose, makeup, clothing, hair, and background most appropriate for the shoot.
You should ask your client plenty of questions about her life, her work, and her interests and hobbies. This will give you a sense of the personality of your client. It will also inform the photographs you take.
Everyone has a more flattering side, and it is not unusual for the women you photograph to have strong opinions about which side is her best. You may not agree with the client, but you're going to have to take her concerns into account. If you ignore her opinions, you might end up with what are to you fantastic photos. The client will probably hate them however. As you gain experience, you'll learn to adjust your lighting and camera angles to maximize the client's best features.
You have to pay special attention to the subject's legs. You want to avoid awkward angles that give the appearance of stiffness. If you are photographing a mature woman you might have her seated with her legs crossed. This is usually flattering and makes her look graceful and poised. Younger women can be posed sitting on the ground or leaning against a tree with their ankles crossed for example. Bending the leg in some way softens the pose.
Along the same lines, you must address the problem of what to do with women's hands. Because they are not professional models, it can be difficult for them to know what to do. You could suggest holding their faces with their hands, interlacing fingers casually in front of them, or intertwining their hands in their hair as ways of solving the problem. Once they are comfortable with where their hands are, women are more likely to relax.
One thing you can count on is that women will be concerned that their pictures will make them look fat. You have to be careful with the angle you choose to keep that from happening. One trick a lot of photographers use is to photograph the subject from slightly below the camera level. This is a way to elongate a neck and define a jawline. You don't want the angle to be so severe though that the subject is looking straight up.
You need to take advantage of the natural environment. A look that is slightly windblown and irises that reflect the sunlight are especially compelling. If the weather is cooperative, you need to consider shooting outdoors in open shade.
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