Jessica Chávez

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What is Studio Portrait Photography?

Studio Portrait for actress, Isabel Arraiza. Photographed by Yeya Monroig.

Hey friend!!

Today I’ll be talking about one of my favorite styles! Studio portrait photography is one of the most exciting environments to shoot in, because of the possibilities of creation it opens up to me as a photographer. It is an incredibly exciting and dynamic field that offers endless creative possibilities. But, with endless creative possibilities comes greater responsibility! This means that in order to achieve a high-quality product for your client, you MUST know your portrait photography basics and that means: Lighting and Directing your subject. Actually, writing this just gave me the idea to make a few blog posts to address photography basic knowledge, this is coming!

Why Studio Portrait Photography?

One of the biggest draws of studio portrait photography is the level of control it offers over lighting and background. In a studio setting, you have the ability to carefully craft the perfect lighting for your subject, whether that's soft and diffused or dramatic and moody. I always recommend that you know exactly what emotion or mood you are aiming for and develop a “Mood Board” to present your client before the shoot day. Doing this will elevate the trust between you and your subject, but will also help you jump into the shoot day knowing exactly what you want. You can also choose from a wide variety of backgrounds, from simple solid colors to intricate patterns and designs. This level of control allows you to truly bring your vision to life and create images that are truly unique and personal.

Create a Memorable Photo Session!

Working with a variety of subjects is another perk of studio portrait photography. This is one of the most exciting elements for me, since I love to meet new people and engage in a higher level with them. The range goes from newborns and families to business professionals, models, actors and artists, isn’t that exciting?! Studio portrait photography allows you to capture stunning images of people of all ages, backgrounds and professional levels. Each subject brings its own set of challenges, and the variety keeps things exciting, it keeps you on your toes, something all photographers love.

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However, the opportunity to produce genuinely lovely and unforgettable photographs that your customers will cherish for years to come is possibly the biggest benefit of studio portrait photography. And hey! I know we can create amazing portraits anywhere, don’t get me wrong, but whether you're working with a single subject or a large group, the controlled environment of a studio allows you to create a truly customized experience for your clients. Having this controlled experience gives you, as the photographer, the ability to concentrate solely on your subject and forget about the sunlight changing or if another person is in your shot. You'll have the opportunity to capture special moments, emotions and personalities, creating images that will be cherished for a lifetime by spending that quality interaction with your subject.

How to Get Started with Studio Portrait Photography?

So, how do you get started in studio portrait photography? Well, the first step is to make sure you know your photography basics, and for this you have probably invested in some basic equipment, like camera and lenses. And before you invest any more, make sure to take courses or workshops, practice regularly, and experiment with different lighting setups and poses. Now it's time to hone your skills! The best way to get really good is to collaborate with friends, family and other people. The more you practice, the better you'll become at creating beautiful, flattering images of your subjects. And don’t forget to post on social media! Posting will help you get better at photography because it will push you to overcome the fear barrier all artists have of being criticized.

When you're ready to start working with clients, it's important (very important, it gives you credibility) to build a strong portfolio. Because of this, I recommend that you practice a lot with friends and people until you feel confident in the portraits you’ve created. This will help you showcase your skills and attract new clients! Be sure to include a mix of different types of studio portrait photography, such as headshots, family portraits, mood lighting portraits,and more. When you show your clients how you can help them create lasting memories, you create an instant trust connection. Which will result in word of mouth recommendations and more clients coming your way. Be ready!

Finally, remember that building a successful studio portrait photography business takes time and dedication. Be patient, in fact make patience your daily mantra, stay committed to your craft, learn from every client, always strive to push your technical abilities and improve what doesn’t feel right. It's not an easy journey, but the rewards of capturing beautiful and meaningful images for your clients make it all worth it. You will soon learn the power of gratefulness through your art.

Studio Portrait for visual artist, Ricardo J. Santana. Photographed by Yeya Monroig.

Key Takeaways:

  • Shooting in a studio offers a high level of control over lighting and background, allowing for a wide range of creative possibilities.

  • Doing studio portraits allows you to work with a wide variety of subjects, from babies to international artists!

  • Studio portrait photography allows you to create truly unique and personal images for your clients. Because once you have your lighting set up, you can concentrate solely on your subject to capture that perfect moment.

  • To get started in studio portrait photography, you need to first hone your skills by taking courses, practicing regularly, and experimenting with different lighting setups and poses.

  • Building a successful studio portrait photography business takes time and dedication, unshakable patience and staying committed to you craft.

Finally, studio portraiture is a fantastic and gratifying discipline that enables you to produce very lovely and unique photos. It's a thrilling trip that presents countless chances to develop and advance while preserving feelings and memories that will last a lifetime. You may produce breathtaking and unforgettable photographs that your clients will treasure for years to come if you have the necessary tools, abilities, and commitment.

Thank you for taking the time to read this blog! I look forward to sharing more on being a portrait photographer.

Stay tuned for the next blog post!

xx, Yeya

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