When posing for a professional portrait photographer, the direction they’ll give you will always be tailored to the context of the shoot and the intended use of the photographs as well as your personal appearance, natural demeanour, and chosen attire. Here, however, I’ll discuss several pieces of general advice which one can apply when being photographed for any type of portrait shoot, whether corporate, promotional, or personal.
ADVICE FOR GETTING BETTER PORTRAITS OF YOURSELF
Whilst some of the points below might seem obvious, having photographed a great many diverse individuals, I can assure you that, by always keeping the following tips in mind, when you receive your final images you’ll be a lot happier with how you come across.
Discuss Anything You're Concerned about Before Starting the Shoot
Get any concerns, no matter how minor, off your chest prior to being photographed. These could be with regards to:
your appearance (your hair, your good side etc)
your retouch preferences (blemishes and marks you’d like removed / kept etc)
practicalities concerning the shoot (any time constraints you might have etc)
Any good photographer will be happy to receive and address all such questions and points of unease you may have, so as to allow you to focus on (and enjoy!) the shoot to the full.
Take the Direction You're Given (Even if it Seems Unnecessary to You)
Whilst you may feel confident and convinced of both your posture and expression, how they translate on camera can be very different to what you imagine. Remember that, being behind the camera, the photographer has a constant live preview of the final photographs, so trust their opinion (if you’re encouraged to smile more, it's because you really are coming across as too serious; if you’re told to lean back it's because you really are slumped forward etc…).
Remember that all the direction you are given is for the benefit of the final photographs and, consequently, your satisfaction as the customer. Your photographer has been chosen, either by yourself or by your company, based on their work, so by taking direction well you're helping them get the very results they've been hired to get.
If Every You Want More Direction, Let the Photographer Know
Regardless of the type of portrait shoot, as a general rule I direct as little as possible. This is because the more a subject arrives at a suitable pose themselves, the more likely that the pose they make will be an accurate, natural reflection of them. However, if every you want reassurance, always ask!
Don't Be Impatient to See Previews Photos
Over the course of a shoot, I’ll show clients preview images as necessary, which is usually:
when a change has been made (e.g. background, lighting, clothing etc)
to demonstrate my reason for giving a certain piece of direction
Even if you are itching to see the end results, it's really a good idea to wait to be shown them. This is because, when taking a portrait, the photographer will be considering many things at the same time (lighting, background, composition, appropriate camera settings etc) of which you, the subject, are just one aspect. If you are constantly coming to the photographer to request to see the results, it will affect the flow of the shoot as your posing and position will constantly have to be redone. If a certain amount of time has passed and you have not been shown previews, by all means inform the photographer, but stay in position and let them come to you so that you’re moving as little as possible.
Stop Thinking About the End Result of the Photographs!
The. Single. Most. Important. Point.
A professional portrait shoot can be a substantial investment, so, understandably, it's difficult to not worry about the final outcome. However, the more that plays on your mind during the photography session, the more likely that preoccupation will come across on camera. The most common cause of an unnatural pose is when a subject is trying to imitate a particular pose they have in their head; remember that a portrait is a presentation, and we can all read body language and facial expressions (we can tell if a smile or a pose is forced). If you really want to look your best, simply focus on (and enjoy) the moment.
THE THREE GOLDEN RULES
All of the tips above are essentially about 3 things: relaxing in front of, communicating with, and trusting the photographer. By remembering these simple points, the change in how you'll come across in photographs really will be night and day; it will be the difference between an unconfident, closed-looking individual and the self-assured, approachable person you actually are :)
Whether you’re photographed in the context of a dedicated private portrait shoot or spontaneously during an event, I can assure you that, 10 times out of 10, the most relaxed, communicative and trusting subjects, are the ones who are most satisfied with the final results.