Tips:  Taking Photos for a Portrait 

Contact the artist at (307) 468-2888

   P.O. Box 711 Upton WY 82730

I prefer to take my own photos for your portrait, but sometimes that is not an option. 

If you will be taking photographs for me to use in the creation of your portrait, here are some suggestions which will help assure a successful outcome.

1.  Avoid direct flash photography!  Direct flash will wash natural shadows and cause loss of needed detail and color.  Bounce flash is better, but not too close.

2.  Side lighting gives the best results in helping to define features.  If indoors, place the subject with his side near a north window or other indirect lighting source, but do not aim the camera toward the light.

3.  If outdoors on a sunny day, place the subject in full shade.  The photographer should take a position with the brightest light to his back or side and avoid a situation where the subject is "silhouetted" against a brighter background.

 4.  Fill up the viewfinder with the subject's face, neck, and mid-chest area in order to meet my 1 and 1/2 inch required head size.  IMPORTANT: If your portrait will be a full figure , take some close-up facial shots of the SAME POSE AND LIGHTING that you shoot as a full figure.  This will provide me with a detail facial reference photo along with the whole body shot. 

5.  A flattering and natural pose is a three-quarter view with the subject making eye-contact with the camera lens.  (Avoid straight-on poses which look like mug shots.)

6.  To minimize double chins, be sure that the camera is a little higher than the subject's eye level.  If seated, ask the subject to sit on the edge of the chair rather than lean back.  This will assure a more flattering pose.  Pay attention to details of hair and clothing.  Watch for glare on glasses lens.

7.  Take many shots.  The more film you use, the more chance you will get the expression and pose you are looking for.  An extra roll of film or two is usually worth the time and expense involved.

8.  The background can be changed completely from what you have in your photos.  Focus your efforts on how your subject looks more than what the background is going to be.

9  Order double prints when getting your pictures developed.  Number the back of each shot and it's duplicate with the same number.  This will help us with the process of choosing the right pictures for the best possible portrait. 

10.  If at first you don't succeed try, try again.  It is worth the trouble.