3 Tips for Creative Portraits
One of the most common things we see from professional photographers with tons of client work is creative burnout— the exhaustion from having your creative resources tapped from working on projects for others. Yes, you’re getting paid (hopefully), but you need to recharge that creativity and do some work for yourself!
We often see posts in our Facebook Group of creative photo sessions where photographers say they feel “recharged”, “alive again”, “inspired”, or just downright proud of their creative work. With this in mind, we wanted to share 3 tips for creative portrait sessions and hopefully, some inspirational images to get you excited about planning your next session for yourself!
Image by Aleksandra Kubik
Edited with Quest 36 Botanica
Tip #1: Unexpected Setting or Location
One of the best ways to get creative with a portrait session is to challenge yourself with a unique location or setting for your portraits. Some of the least likely locations can make the best photo backdrops— like junky alleyways, construction areas, or parking lots. Posing your subject in an unexpected place in the location can also make for an interesting portrait!
Alternatively, create your own location in a studio or room with props and things you have on hand to customize the setting fully!
Image by Foggy Stories
Edited with Nomad Presets
Image by Foggy Stories
Edited with Nomad Presets
Tip #2: Unique Styling or Pose
You can style your subject in a unique outfit, headpiece, or hat to instantly add interest to your creative session. There is a reason fashion photography is so popular and eye-catching! You don’t have to break the bank to find the perfect photoshoot outfit for them either— anything with a reflective surface, sparkle, texture, or vibrant color can give you exactly what you need to make your portrait stand out!
Image by Venture Out Photography
Edited with Nomad Presets
Image by Venture Out Photography
Edited with Nomad Presets
Add an interesting or “awkward” pose— even if the styling is on the plain side, the pose can cause people to stop and examine the image, plus it’s great practice (that’s half of what creative sessions are for, after all)!
Image by Mariola Zoladz
Edited with Quest 37 Soraya - Coming Soon
Image by Rebekah Dunn
Edited with Nomad Presets
Bonus Tip: If you don’t have an interesting outfit for the subject to wear, try layering fabric, plexiglass, or another surface in front of them to add an interesting texture or pattern component to your portrait!
Image by Mariola Zoladz
Edited with Nomad Presets
Image by Aleksandra Kubik
Edited with Nomad Presets
Tip #3: Interesting Light
Lighting is one of the most important things in photography— you’re capturing light and shadow on a sensor or film, after all.
For a twist on the typical photography lighting, try a light source you’ve never used before, like a worklight in your garage, a vintage lamp, candles, your cellphone flash… the possibilities are endless. Plus: learning how to edit for those different light sources will give you an arsenal of editing knowledge you can use in the future!
Bonus tip: Mix up your lighting for a cinematic challenge! Use artificial light and window light together, or different colored lights— balancing the light is tougher, but it results in a more cinematic, realistic and lifelike scene.
Image by Foggy Stories
Edited with Nomad Presets
Don’t forget to share your creative sessions with us in the Archipelago Collective and tag us on Instagram @archipelagopresets!