Let’s talk creative toolbox as photographers!
As someone who doesn’t feel inherently creative, I sometimes feel like I’ve had to brute force my way towards creative portraits in an almost scientific way. It’s strange, and it’s one of the biggest sources of my imposter syndrome when I do feel it. For a long time, I knew I could execute straightforward representational headshots. But I also knew that I envied photographers and artists who created much more interesting creative portraits.
Sometimes I’ll look at two portraits and think: how can this white background headshot look so boring and clinical whereas this one is so interesting in comparison? I try to go deep when I compare these two photos. I try to reaaallly analyze and isolate those concrete and specific differences. What specifically was different about those two shoots other than the photographer and subject? (I also make my students do this in my creative portrait class!)
Sometimes we do want something simple, straightforward and representational. Most of my clients and my work would fit in this category. But for someone like Adrienne Munden-Dixon, I feel like it would’ve been a disservice to her to create just a LinkedIn headshot. She’s a violinist, improviser and composer who creates beautiful experimental work. It’s full of texture, moody, and ephemeral.
As photographers, we’re in a somewhat limited visual medium. How can we create something that isn’t merely representational? We can intervene with more than just our camera settings and post-processing. There’s also composition, model direction, props / background, and lighting. But let’s try and go deeper. What does that give us and how does it add to our creative toolbox? Suddenly we can control:
Mood. Via proper light control, we can have dreamy light, spooky light, holy light, soft morning light, hard noon light, moonlight, futuristic post-apocalyptic light, etc.
Emotion. With connection, model direction both in expressions and pose, and setting the right ambience, we can create room for more than just a smile.
Symbols. By using certain props, referencing poses, art or fashion movements, colours, or light, we can subtly introduce relevant symbols in the images.
Texture. With motion, depth of field, haze, various objects, etc.
Why do photographers only talk about gear and settings all the time when there’s all of this lovely stuff to brainstorm about?