How To Capture Personality In Your Portraiture When You're Given Minutes

It’s great when you have plenty of time with a subject, you can gently ease them into the shoot, take the time to discuss any ideas they have and even try new things during the shoot to see where it leads you. Most people are not used to getting their photograph taken professionally. It’s a weird experience that makes people nervous, anxious and tense - the very things that are guaranteed to ruin an image. With the luxury of time, it’s actually quite easy to put people at ease and get them to relax in front of the camera but the reality is that in most cases, you don’t get that luxury.

The majority of my work involves 5-10 minute slots with a subject and in that time I’ve got to get them relaxed, at ease and rocking their shots. Sometimes you are blessed with luck, you instantly click with your subject and you know you’ve got your shot within the first few minutes but on those days when the photography fairies are busy, it’s good to have a formula to work through that will massively increase your chances of nailing that shot. Here are some of the points I always consider when setting up a shoot: 

1. Prep Your Subject

I have a detailed article that I send out to people before I photograph them. It gives them an idea of how I work, what to expect and some simple things they can plan for during the shoot. It takes away the fear of the unknown and gives them a bit of a game plan. People like to have an idea of what they are getting into and this helps stave off any anxiety.

2. Keep Your Set-Up As Simple As Possible

There’s no time for adjustment in a tight schedule, you shouldn’t even be thinking about the technical side of things when your subject is in front of you. Keep it simple and have a quick to implement back-up in place just in case the worst happens. I always shoot with a spare light already rigged up so I can switch over in a matter of seconds as if I have 5 minutes, I can’t spend 4 of those switching lights around.

3. Talk To Your Subject

It may sound obvious but silence only exasperates nerves. I spent a fair amount of time in front of the camera and can tell you that the one thing that so many photographers forget to do is talk to their subject. I don’t mean just directing them, it’s important to get into a conversation as it will help relax them and it opens up the possibility of getting them talking about a subject that they are passionate about. You want that energy and engagement behind their eyes and talking about a subject they care about is the quickest way. I like to keep things spontaneous but I do have a few set stories that I’ll bring out if I’m struggling.

4. Play Music

I never conduct a shoot without music playing. In fact, I have several carefully curated playlists to match what I’m trying to achieve and it makes a massive difference. Music can lift the mood, provide a distraction and inject energy. The few times I’ve been forced to shoot without it I’ve really felt the difference and it makes everything harder.

It can be easy on a shoot to let panic set in and focus on the lack of time but you have to fight it as your concentration needs to be razor sharp for every second your subject is in front of you. If your focus starts to wander so will your subject’s and it’s easy to lose someone and then spend the rest of your time trying to get them back in the moment. As long as you are confident and engaged with them, they will respond and reflect your energy and mood. On any shoot, you definitely get out what you put in!