Headshot portrait photos are always about the story!
These three images all have stories about their creation and why.
I’ll start with perhaps the most famous and now very controversial face “President Donald Trump” who was not yet President when I took his portrait photo.
Photographing Donald Trump –a huuuuuuge portrait photo!
I captured this image at the Entertainment Centre in Sydney in a green room deep underground whilst waiting to go out on stage for Trump to present his keynote. He was pacing back and forth like a bull in a pen waiting to go out and perform. We ended up being alone in the room for close to 10 minutes and I was the only person he could ask the questions of about the stage and the crowd and if he could “cuss or swear.”
As I answered his questions, saying firstly: “It’s Australia, so of course you can swear! In fact, it would be rude not too!!” Aides kept coming into the room to keep the future US president abreast of all the little details such as crowd size, the energy in room, the size of the stage, and so on.
Capturing Donald Trump’s portrait photo in a confined space
Eventually I took my opportunity to ask if I could capture a quick portrait of him before he went on stage. I got a favourable response of “yes of course, what would you like and where?” I knew exactly what I could do in a concrete room two floors below ground. Thus, the image you see is a tighter version of what I shot. The only thing I had at my disposal was a makeup mirror, so I stood him beside it because what is better than one Donald Trump but two!! Though it’s not an award winner, the most eye-opening part of that photo portrait shoot was that as soon as the camera came up, his face quickly changed, and this character appeared. It was all over in just a few minutes, but it was a most amazing experience with one of the world’s most polarising characters.
The Harrison Ford photo headshot
Harrison Ford was altogether different. As with Donald Trump, it was a very fast photo shoot, with little time to get some variety (though that dis not phase me as taking perfectly framed pictures quickly with what’s at hand is what I do best.)
I was the last session of his day, and shooting for a magazine, which meant we had a few extra minutes. As with many celebrity photoshoots, the time was soaked up by journalists asking questions that had been asked all day, as with most press tours to promote a movie. I ended up with 7 minutes to shoot three different images in a non-descript hotel room in Sydney. As we had been waiting for a couple of hours, I had my three images planned and knew I could get them done.
Keeping the headshot subject engaged
I rolled through my shots, taking my time photographing with purpose and doing my best to talk to Harrison to keep him engaged and connected to the images I wanted to achieve. As the total professional that he is, he totally understood the backgrounds and shapes I was shooting on as we moved in what felt like a dolls house from place to place.
I shot only 37 images in my 7 minutes, which is unusual, but I really wanted to just make sure every image counted. Once I knew I was done and had my headshots, I stopped and said thank you before he got annoyed at me shooting like a maniac and before we exhausted all conversation.
Getting the best outcome from a photo headshot
He said thank you and then asked if he could see the images on the back of the camera. I was happy to oblige. He commented: “You have taken the fewest images of me all day, but you have also taken the best images of me all day. You took your time and talked to me and got the best photos of the day. Thank you!”
Standing there stunned I replied well thank you, you made it easy for me. I hope you enjoy whatever time you have here in Sydney. Straight after he left, the publicist came back in and gushed saying: “Wow! You are the only photographer he has spoken to all day. You must have made an impression!” Needless to say, I was a happy camper!
An iconic Australian headshot photo
Adam Goodes was a very important image. It was photographed for Wayside Chapel as he was being announced as an ambassador for the Recognise Campaign. The image was taken in the year that he was named Australian of the Year and followed the on-field booing saga that plagued his last moments as an AFL player.
In the moments after a series of speaker presentations and the taking of PR images of other luminaries in attendance, I was waiting to capture this image. There were another couple of photographers on hand, but only one waiting for something a little more special. I think we both saw the same image that would really tell the story of Adam Goodes, his public life, his recent trials and tribulations, and him wanting to make a difference coming to the end of his AFL career.
The mechanics of creating the perfect headshot
It set up my portable lighting (that I always carry) which gives me the ability to control and creates the light I want to deliver emotion and connection in my imagery. I jumped on the moment and asked Adam to move into the place that gave me this image. With a tiny amount of stage lighting bringing in some purple and contrast, Adam stood on the spot and then realised why. He was very happy and could see that this would be a powerful image for the day and for the future. Something that would be referred to for years to come. Some six years later it is still an image of mine that creates conversation and has people asking questions.
Portrait photography and headshots tell a story
Why have I highlighted these three images? They aren’t related. Each subject is from very different backgrounds with very distinct life journeys. The reason I’ve selected this images is because they all have a story behind their creation. A story that captures the variance and commonality found when taking portrait photos and headshots.
You might have noticed in reading this post that each portrait photo sessions involved waiting for the moment and creating the necessary conditions to capture something long lasting and rewarding. It’s about working fast and staying focused on getting the job done regardless of whose portrait or headshot you’re taking.
A momentary snapshot that stands the test of time
A portrait can be everlasting, though it’s not to say that you should only ever have one done and leave it forever. As a client said just this week, it’s about time we did this. My last portrait was taken in 2009! That was 11 years ago. A lot has happened since then!
Your portrait is what speaks to the digital internet world. If people aren’t seeing you (and when I say you I mean the you), they won’t be making that connection. Every picture tells a story. Isn’t about time you told yours?
Contact me to tell your story today.
