Formal Portrait

Formal full-length portrait photography

A some-what fictitious approach to a photo shoot.

OK, GB, I am just about ready with the camera here. Are you ready on the set?

“Yes, I’m standing on the marked spot. Which is more photogenic, my left side or my right?”

Your right side works better, GB. That way you are looking away from the rocks behind you. That gives you visually open “breathing space”. However, your front looks a little frumpy and rumpled. May I suggest you turn your whole body about 90 degrees so we see your right side and your head in profile.

“How is this?”

Great angle. You are leaning a bit too much to the front. Makes you look like you are about to flee the set. Can you stand a bit more upright?

“Well, flight was on my mind, ha ha. This better?”

Much better. I like when you reach up higher, your neckline is more elegant. But now your feet are too far apart. That makes you look heavy. Can you put your weight more on one leg and move the other a bit forward. Either one, as you please.

“Hey, I am the talent and it is I who is supposed to be fussy. Are all photographers so bossy?”

Well, the good photographers make sure their subjects look their best. Now your right leg is just a bit too casual. Can you pull it back a bit?

“Picky, picky. Next you’ll complain about the light. All right, this better?”

Great Blue Heron, Pinckneyville Park, Berkeley Lake, Georgia

Oh, you look great now! We’ll call it a wrap. Thank you for your time.

.:.

© 2017 Ludwig Keck