5 Things Every Photographer Should Know Before a Portrait Shoot

One of my favorite sayings about these assignments is: “Portrait photographers are 5 percent artist and 95 percent bartender.” No, you don’t serve drinks during a shoot, but you do want to listen to your subjects to help put them at ease. (Did you know that the more someone talks about themself, the better they think they know you?)

Another good one is: “Portrait photography is 5 percent camera work and 95 percent furniture moving.” I’m not sure why the percentages are always the same with these witticisms, but I do know that homes and offices are inherently cluttered, and natural looking environmental portraits usually require some tidying up.

Embedded in both of these clever thoughts is the notion that successful pictures of people require more than just technical prowess. I agree. You need camera skills, but you also need the ability to put your subjects at ease and maybe a few interior design skills as well.

Toward that pursuit, these five tips can be helpful in addition to the skills you already have. Who knows, they may help you devise your own clever saying about portrait photography.

First, your appearance is just as important as theirs. Yes, you’re behind the camera and they are in front of the lens. But remember, they are looking at you just as much…