Portrait Photography; Tips for Aspiring Professionals
Introduction
When I moved to New York City from Michigan in 2021, I knew that I wanted to be a great photographer. Up to that point, I had about two paid gigs and was about eight months in on my photography journey. I was excited because many of the best portrait photographers from around the world have lived and worked in NYC and I saw it as a chance to get better at what I love to do. I’m happy to say that living in New York has helped me improve my portrait photography by leap’s and bounds and two year’s in I’m a working professional expanding my clientele and offerings.
Along the way, I learned that being a top portrait photographer is not just about knowing how to use a camera. It's also about being creative, hardworking, good with people, and smart in business. In this article, I want to share four tips for those who want to stand out in the world of photography and my own unique perspectives on what that means being a portrait photographer in New York City.
Get to Know Your Subjects
A great portrait is more than just a good-looking picture. It's a glimpse into the person's character and I'd argue that in order to be great at portraiture you also need to care. Take the time to get to know your subjects. Knowing what makes them tick will help you in the posing process and to take more natural and emotional photos. I’ve taken up to an hour with a subject in order to find the moment that speaks to the person’s soul. This approach isn’t right for every client but for a photoshoot with an architect from Mexico City (photo below) it was ideal. The sitting was over an hour and I rarely had my camera raised. In the end, I found two or three perfect moments with this photo being my favorite.
Taking time to get to know your subject leads to more meaningful photos.
Have Your Own Style
In a competitive market like NYC, it has been a goal for me to develop my own photography style. Ultimately, I know that this will give my work a chance to stand out. Experiment with different setups, lighting, and editing techniques until you find something that truly represents you. While this may sound straightforward, it's challenging to achieve and might not always lead to commercial success. The reality is that few unknown artists can create demand for a unique style, so as you're building your career, you'll often need to provide what's currently popular in the market. The cool thing about New York is that through exhibits, galleries, and social media I am constantly shown unique takes on photography by masters. Even though I'd like to think I have a distinct portrait style, it doesn't always align with my clients' preferences, and I sometimes find myself adapting to their tastes and my creative director's input. Personally, I favor tighter cropping, black-and-white, and a touch of grain in my portraits. My suggestion is to separate your commercial work from your artistic work and look for ways to merge the two whenever possible.
An Example of My Preferred Portrait Style That May Not Always Align With My Commercial Projects
Get to Know Your Camera
You don't have to be a tech genius, but you do need to know how to use your camera and lighting equipment. This doesn't mean you need to understand every setting, but you should be able to quickly change camera settings and select the appropriate lens for different shots. In the city, you have to be ready for anything, especially when trying to capture different settings, which means you also need to be vigilant about lighting. During a recent shoot for a commercial client on 59th Street, we experienced sunshine, shadows, and the dim interior of a hotel lobby all within ten minutes. My recommendation is to pre-program your camera settings for at least three distinct lighting scenarios so you can easily switch between them as needed. When it comes to other techniques, make a routine of taking work that inspires you and trying to replicate it in your own work. This will force you to learn more about your camera’s capabilities and push yourself beyond the basics.
Unedited examples of a recent commercial shoot moving from sun to shadow to a hotel lobby.
Show Off Your Best Work
Plain and simple, your portfolio is your chance to show off your best work. Make sure to include a range of different subjects and styles to show that you can handle different kinds of shoots. And don't forget to update it regularly with your latest work. My advice is to take this very, very seriously. I recommend using your website portfolio in a different way than using social media. They both have a role when it comes to social proof but will have difference audiences and purpose. For my website, I am connecting to people that are closer to making a decision on hiring me and when I am posting to Instagram my goal is to offer the broadest range of my capabilities including behind the scenes. My posts are far from perfect and my goal is to remain relevant in peoples minds for when they are ready to hire.
In the end, being a top portrait photographer in NYC or anywhere else takes an incredible amount of work and a mix of creativity, people skills, and business sense. By knowing your camera, finding your own style, building a great portfolio, and getting the word out, you can make a name for yourself.
