Taking a person's picture vs Making a Portrait



It might sound like the same thing, but it isn't. In fact, this distinction has nothing to do with the gear you have or the person you photograph as it has to do with the relationship that you have with your subject and your intention.

"Taking a person's picture" requires no skill whatsoever. In fact, we have security cameras and perfect strangers at amusement parks that do this regularly.

"Making a portrait", however involved much more. Not better gear, because even better gear can't bring out a person's personality or the "look" that they are known for. For that you need:

1. Patience: take time to get to know your subject. If you already know them, take time to let them get comfortable in front of your camera.

2.Curiosity: probably a more difficult thing to understand or explain even, but your curiosity in your subject will almost always yield the best photos. Understanding them and who they are and then allowing that curiosity to help you press the shutter when the time is perfect.

3. Intention: I have found that the best images I've taken of someone were always done with intention and planning. Yes, planning. Images of my family members whom I don't see as often. I will generally plan on making a great shot of them and making the effort to do so. This intention drives me to go to greater lengths to make the shot count and to pre-visualize my idea.

Let's all focus on making portraits, not taking people's pictures. There's a world of difference.

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