You've probably done this before. I know I have.
You show your hairstylist a photo and say, "Something like this, please."
They smile and nod. An hour later, you look in the mirror and wonder how you ended up with something quite different. 😅
It's not uncommon for my guests to show me reference photographs of what they envision for their portrait session. I welcome them, and I like to ask what it is about the photograph that appeals to them. The expression? The mood? Or perhaps just the way the person looks and feels in the photograph.
Understanding what someone likes about a photograph is one thing. Translating that into a portrait of them is another.
Just as a hairstyle depends on your face shape, hair texture and features, a portrait is influenced by the subject. What flatters one person might not flatter another.
Then there are the conditions under which the photograph was created.
A photograph taken outdoors in daylight will look different from one taken in a studio with controlled lighting. The direction of light, the environment, and countless other decisions all contribute to the final portrait. These aren't necessarily things that can be recreated simply by adjusting a few settings or editing afterwards.
As a portrait photographer, I have my own way of seeing and interpreting the person in front of me. It influences how I light, compose and direct a portrait. These are deliberate choices, guided by what I see in the person I'm photographing.
So when you show me a reference, instead of jumping straight into recreation mode, I'd much rather explore what it is about that photograph that speaks to you, and how we might create something that feels equally right for you.
Because ultimately, I'm not trying to recreate someone else's portrait.
I'm trying to create yours.
~
Curious to see how I interpret the people in front of my camera? Have a look at my portrait gallery.
