Pensées #5: Portrit and the Soul

I see each photo as a timeless piece of art. I don't just capture the appearance of the person, but also their spirit, their personality, their mood. I try to show how I see them or how they see themselves. Sometimes, this surprises them. I often hear in appreciation, "That doesn't look like me" or "How did you do that". But other times, they feel understood and appreciated. For example, once I photographed an underground band and one of the members cried and said "That's us. You understand who we are." And I did. That was one of the most rewarding moments of my career.

My inspiration comes from various sources, but mainly from classic Greek and Roman art, the Hollywood golden age, and the 60s candid self. These styles have something in common: they are timeless. They transcend the trends and fashions of their time and speak to universal human emotions and values. That's what I aim for in my portraits. I want them to be timeless or I have failed.

I also like to spend time with my sitters before and during the photo session. This helps me to get them relaxed and comfortable, but also to get to know them better. I have a Master's degree in counseling and I use that skill to connect with them on a deeper level. Sometimes, the photo session becomes more like a confessional. They open up to me and share their stories, their dreams, their fears. I listen and empathize with them. This makes the portraits more authentic and meaningful.

That's it for today. Thank you for reading my blog post. I hope you enjoyed it and learned something new about portrait photography. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below. Until next time, keep smiling!

As a portrait photographer, I see my work as a form of art. I aim to capture the essence of the person, the context, and the emotion in each image. I’m not suggesting that every portrait has to be a “statement”, but rather to reflect how I perceive the individual or how they want to be seen. Oftentimes, the final photo is a surprise and an emotional

For example, I photographed an underground band that had a very unique and rebellious style. Like most bands, they weren’t sure what they wanted. When they saw the final image one of the guys cried, he said, "That's us. You understand who we are." and I did understand them. That was one of the most rewarding moments of my career.

My style or approach is influenced by a combination of classical Greek and Roman art, the glamor of Hollywood's golden age, and the spontaneity of the 60s. I consciously strive for timelessness in my photos, otherwise, I feel like I have failed. I’m from a generation where a photograph is a physical medium that is held and displayed to be appreciated, not just a fleeting post on social media.

Whenever possible, I like to spend time with my subjects before taking their photos, to make them feel comfortable and to get to know them better. I have a Master's degree in counseling and that is part of who I am. Often, the photo session becomes more like a therapy session. Models and clients have told me that they would do it again just for the conversation. I’ve had several photoshoots that have resulted in lifelong friends where we’ve shared, weddings, birth of children, and funerals.

Ideally a portrait should be real