How to Capture Personality in Your Images

It's time for Johnny's senior portraits. Mom and Dad really want Johnny's personality to shine through in these portraits, but how do we make that happen?

The best way have personality come through in your portraits is to open up with communication prior to the session. The preparation of a session is just as important as the session itself. Many photographers help prepare by having specific questions that they ask their client. They do this either in person, over the phone, or by email typically. Some photographers even have prepared questionnaires for the client to fill out asking questions such as, "How would you describe your style?" For a family shoot, they may ask, "What do you enjoy doing most as a family?" Seniors may be asked what their hobbies or aspirations are. Why all the questions you ask? Questions help the photographer determine important factors such as clothing style, location, and even if props will be used. The photographer has also started a foundation of communication to build on during the session to help capture natural expressions as well. 

Clothing Style

Clothing can absolutely help convey a client's personality through an image. If the client is a hard driven business man who enjoys the city life, the photographer would most likely not suggest cowboy boots and a flannel for the session. Perhaps our senior Johnny that we referred to earlier lives and breathes basketball. This would be a great opportunity to have Johnny bring his basketball and take shots of him in his jersey as well. If the client is a child and they have a favorite pair of pajamas or a favorite costume, by all means, implement that into the session. Clothing also ties in closely with location. It's important that the clothing style will flow with the location. Colors also matter. The subjects should stand out from the background and the photographer can help choose clothing color combinations that will both flatter the client and stand out from the background.

Images by Bleu Ivy Photography

https://www.facebook.com/bleuivyphotography

"Before every shoot, I discuss what my client is wanting to get out of their session. We discuss what groupings of people they want in their photo, i.e. the entire family, mom/ son, mom/ daughter, husband/ wife, etc. After that of course, comes the discussion of clothing. I always say, 'No black, no white, no neon.' Most important out of those is the neon. We all know how bad those those color casts are. Then I ask kindly if they mind sending me a picture of their outfits. Even offer to go shopping with them. We discuss how they need to coordinate and not match. Not one person should be wearing the same outfit. I always say to dress the woman first, then everyone around her. We all know us women are the hardest to dress. Everyone is to wear clothes that fit, not baggy. I know we always think we look better in looser clothing, however, that is just not true. We need to show our curves. Here is an example of the perfect family wearing the perfect outfits."

~Amber Bullock Owens Owens, of ALB Photography

Image by ALB Photography

https://www.facebook.com/ALBPhotographySpringTX

Location

Location is everything. Through asking questions, the photographer may determine whether the session will take place at the family lake cabin, a baseball diamond, a field near stables, downtown, or in an alley covered in graffiti. If a client is suggesting dreamy shots wearing a flower halo, we most likely would not place her in that alley with the graffiti. That would be meant more for Johnny who loves art and skateboarding and is preferring an edgy look.

"When I'm shooting, I always try to sit down and speak to my client face to face and get a feel for their personality and wants from the session. Downtown, city, woods, or farmland, we can pretty much find it here. My favorite is when I can shoot a client at their own property or home like Abbi and her seniors. I have always LOVED themed shoots and we have a pumpkin patch by our house so I decided to revisit the Cinderella story and shot in a pumpkin patch. the results were amazing!! I drive all the time with a P&S in my car so that if i'm inspired by a location then I will grab a shot of it and plan my next shoot!" 
~Ken Gehring, of kgPhotography

Images by kgPhotography

https://www.facebook.com/KenGehringPhotography

"When I decided to shoot images of my mom, the local middle school has an old cabin in front of it they use for Pioneer Days and it was the perfect backdrop for the session with my mom, which happens to be my personal favorite session I've ever shot." 

~Ken Gehring, of kgPhotography

Images by kgPhotography

https://www.facebook.com/KenGehringPhotography

 Props

Props can make or break an image. Sometimes they can overpower the subject, while other times, if kept simple and with a purpose to support an idea, they can create a kick of interest or pinch of magic that wouldn't exist otherwise. Does Johnny play the trombone? Ask Johnny to bring it and do a silhouetted image of him playing it at sunset. Does the family that's being photographed love pizza? Host a make-your-own-pizza mini event for the family to partake in while you photograph them. the ideas are endless.

The image below is a silhouette. We see no facial expression, yet the viewer still senses personality by the location and the prop of a fishing pole.

Image by Blue Earth Photography

https://www.facebook.com/BlueEarthPhotography

 In the image below, we see the personality of a boy aided by the simple prop of a wooden sword.

Image by Megan Alisa Photography

https://www.facebook.com/MeganAlisaPhotography

Expression

Expression needs to be genuine in order to relay genuine personality in the image. The best way to do this is by continuing communication throughout the session. Both body language and facial expressions should be carefully observed by the photographer.

" I love capturing natural expressions from people when I photograph them. With children, I like to give them something to do and try and just let them do their thing with whatever that is. If that is not working, I give some direction with how to do what I am needing from them and let however that unfolds just happen. I try and wait for the right moments to take their photos. When it comes to families, putting them together and having them interact with each other is how I get natural expressions from them. " 

~Megan Dendinger, of Megan Alisa Photography

Image by Megan Alisa Photography

https://www.facebook.com/MeganAlisaPhotography

In the image below, the photographer captured genuine expression, while also mixing in the factors of location, clothing style and the prop of a football.

Image by Katie Geier Photography

https://www.facebook.com/KatieGeierPhotography

After the session, it's important to remember that even editing style can play a role in relaying the subject's personality to the viewer. Tones, shades, contrast and texture also matter. The images that are being captured are meant to be treasured over time. Perhaps one day, the images will even be passed down through future generations and the goal is that all these factors will help show some of the subject's personality and who they are.

~Robin