Portraits don’t always have to be in the traditional style

Quite often find myself wondering how a person came to be where they are in that moment I pressed the shutter. Sometimes it’s obvious… hours of training in soldier’s boots, perfectly in time at Changing of The Guard. Years of practice behind the effortless grace of the guitarist’s fingers on the frets. A skilled man with ‘tools of the trade’ in hand. Dedication & sacrifice in a CEO’s profile headshot. Capturing just a small part of that person…their face doesn’t even have to be in the photo, it can still show their whole personality!

Capturing real people in their natural environment

I am inspired by watching people in daily life, all no doubt with a story to tell. A photo can sometimes capture that story in a split second, if we just take the time to look. Sit quietly somewhere with a coffee, look around & see people going about their day. Asking somebody… “Can I take your photo?’ makes them stop doing the very thing that attracted me to take their photo in the first place!

Lets just go for a walk and we’ll take some photos…

Applying the same relaxed natural feel to my commissioned portrait photography. Many people feel very awkward having their photo taken. Turn this way and that, chin up – chin down, look here – look there. Your photos can be taken at home, in the garden, workshop, half way up a mountain… wherever you feel relaxed!! Go for a walk to a favourite park or woodland. Then just enjoy the time and try to forget there’s a photographer with a camera… because that’s when we’ll capture ‘the real you’.

Formal Portrait and Head Shots

More formal or corporate ‘head shot’ portraits, can still be about capturing the person and personality. A collection of photos to go into an actor’s portfolio for auditions. Corporate or Social media profile images such as staff headshots. Or the Managing Director sat at his desk to go onto the company website. All different styles of portrait but still able to capture personality.

Don’t forget the 4 legged members of the family…

Our pets have such character & capturing them being themselves is great fun for a photographer. It’s still a portrait even if he’s hiding in the flower beds or charging into the sea!! Book a photography session at your home or out at a park, pond, the beach… lets have some fun creating memories to keep for ever.

If you like my style and taken the trouble to read this far. Get in touch, let’s have a chat about your portrait photography ideas.