Our first time!

tinbasher

These are my very first attempts at portrait work of any kind. These are also the subjects very first model shots. Needless to say we were both very nervous. I didn't know how to guide the subject, which relayed to the model. Thank heavens she was a great sport about it all. It didn't help that it was only 8 degrees celcius either. The model is my daughters best friend, so at least I could use some humor to lighten up the moment when it became difficult.
Your comments and suggestions will be more than appreciated by this first timer.

Cheers, Tony

Harrison

You're off to a good start! The first pic, the model's nervousness seems to show, but it's still a good photo.

In the third pic, I like how the model's clothing goes well with the background colors, but I would have moved her over a bit so that the tree doesn't appear right out of her head. That's a great photo other than that. She's a very pretty girl!

Laughter is essential to me in the studio or on location. I even break it up by making funny accents while I'm shooting, and when I break out the "hillbilly photographer" voice I like to capture the moment of the reaction.

When I started, I printed out photos that I found on the web, or in magazines, and it gave me a wealth of ideas, and I showed them to my clients as ideas, too. The more shoots you have under your belt, the easier it gets to making everyone at ease. Good luck---like I said, you're off to a great start!

Here's one right after my "hillbilly" accent:

tinbasher

Thanks Harrison for your reply.

Its funny after you look at a photo, and you say to yourself,or someone points it out, how you go DOH why didnt I shift over a bit, do this ,do that...this is one of those times. Didn't even see the tree when I was taking the pic....lol. Maybe I should start in a studio with a back drop...no trees, lamp posts, people...
Well, its a learning experience for myself, and thanks again for your most informative comments. Much appreciated!

Cheers,

Tony

rahmonster

These are excellent first attempts! A few things to remember is EYES EYES EYES...Most portraits are all about the eyes, they are the window to the soul etc etc...Light...Make sure you avoid shadows under noses, chins etc, (which you did) And relax your model. Oh and of course...Practice practice practicethumb The colour in the 3rd shot is lovely. And I like the first 2. You did well with the light and thats usually the hardest thing so well done:D

tinbasher

Thanks Rahmonster for the kinds words.

I think the nervousness will be the hardest thing to overcome, aswell as the "composition" before you take the picture.(ie tree out of head)

Cheers, Tony