Portfolio shots are big business for photographers – there are plenty of people who want images for their folder and it’s relatively easy for a photographer to set up. You can use a home studio or you can even go outdoors – all you need is a camera and some imagination.
What kind of people needs a shot for their portfolio? It can include:
- Models (aspiring or professional)
- Dancers
- Actors
- Students
- Child Models
- Extras
You can also include normal people who like to have a collection of their own images just as a keepsake.
When you decide to embark on taking portfolio pictures you will need the basic equipment like:
- Camera and Standard Lens
- Tripod if in a Studio
- Background (plain White)
- Studio Lights (flash) – two heads should suffice
. You don’t want a macro lens as it’s far too close up, or a wide angle or a telephoto as these can distort someone’s appearance. The 50mm lens is supposed to be a ‘standard’ lens, although a standard zoom lens would also work well.
If you are taking photograph outdoors all you will need is a camera and standard lens (and decent weather!).
The standard portfolio shot is very straightforward and is what performing arts professionals will go for – actors, students, models, dancers will all want one simple head shot (from shoulders upwards) and a standard full body shot (head to feet) on a plain, usually white background.
These are the basic shots that nearly everyone wants because they create a very simple, easy to look at photograph for a potential client or agent. It’s worth taking a few shots like this and practising g of friends and family because you can then show this to your potential clients as an example. Some people may say that they want a black background instead or they would rather have it closer to the face etc.
This is up to them, but you should have your own ‘standard’ headshot and body shot format.
Actors tend to want slightly different shots, for example, have a the same background but dress up in different outfits, hair and make up in order to show her versatile they look. Once again, this is the person’s job to tell you what they want, how many shots they want at the end of the session and how many clothing changes there will bee.
But in a portfolio you are working with very simple lighting and backgrounds as it’s about the person in the image not the photography itself. Do remember this when taking images for someone’s portfolio – it’s not about your creativity, its just about getting a clean shot for the client.
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