I’ve been approached enough times by my clients for candid yet professional-looking photos that I think it’s worth writing a post to share how I achieve it. I’ve been doing candid professional portraiture for about 4 years now and to be honest, I didn’t even think of it this way until clients came up to me consistently asking for the same thing. I was just making portraits the way that felt right to me.
I was giving some thought as to why this request is so popular. Often times, clients come to us photographers with a vague request and it’s our job to turn that vague brief into a photograph. This is my take on candid professional portraiture.
What is Candid?
Usually, my clients will come to me and tell me they want their photos to look candid. The most common example is: “You know those photos of guests captured at a wedding? I want to look like that.” It is an unadulterated moment, pure and honest. Everyday, we put ourselves in different social situations and perform different roles, it’s almost like an act. I think the reason why people love candid photos is because it is a moment of truth and a peek into our true selves. Having a candid portraiture taken is a way of conveying what’s unique about you in a way that’s honest and not try-too-hard.
How to achieve the Candid look?
Breaking down what’s behind a candid look is one thing but achieving it consistently is another. Unlike a wedding, a seated portrait session relies entirely on the photographer to create moments. Here’s what I do:
1. Create Trust
If a candid photo reveals true selves, the subject must first be comfortable revealing his or her true self in front of the photographer. Many photographer use the phrase “Just relax” or “Just be yourself” but I prefer to engage in a conversation. Typically, I spend the first 5 minutes of the session just chatting and picking up tiny details in the conversation that I can use later on during the photo session. If you want to establish trust, first listen, then engage. Have a genuine interest in your subject’s life and extract the parts you find interesting and turn them into visuals.
2. Reactions, not Instructions
I never believe in asking my subjects to “Just smile”. It’s the same as asking you not to think about the pink elephant in the room. (What do you think about?). If you want a genuine smile, you’ve to coax it out of your subject. Tease, distract, exaggerate, ask questions. A good portrait photographer has an ample vocabulary of techniques they can tap on to bring out the reaction they want.
However, that being said, after the subject has warmed up sufficiently and trusts the photographer, direct instructions can be given to the same effect. It all boils down to how skilful the photographer is and how much the subject trusts the photographer.
3. Seek feedback
I liken portrait making to a dance. Both parties have to participate equally for the pair to move and communication is paramount to create seamless, graceful movements. Despite having clients come to me after seeing my portfolio, there’s still a 30% chance of not shooting a photo as they totally love. The most common feedback is not about the photo per se but about their body parts.
Almost everyone has a part of their face/body they don’t like. Conversely, they also have sides of their body they want to show more of. Hence, I always show my clients their photos mid-way through the shoot after they’ve sufficiently warmed up and seek their feedback. A photographer’s ego can be pretty big but I try to treat feedback as an exercise in humility and empathy, and a chance to learn something new.
I’m currently into the second week of my commitment to write ONE blogpost every Monday. What do you want to see more of? Hit me up and we’ll have a conversation :)
- Matt