Professional Portrait Photography

According to this wiki here:  “Professional Portrait photography or portraiture is photography of a person or group of people that displays the expression, personality, and mood of the subject. Like other types of portraiture, the focus of the photograph is usually the person’s face, although the entire body and the background or context may be included.”

For the most part, I find portraits to be the least exciting shoots. They’re usually forced onto a person via a work-related requirement or request. Almost a “must do” shot.

However, from time to time portraiture photography can be absorbing. Take this shot here.

Karen is a well-known tattoo artist. An artist that puts permanent pieces of art into people's skin. Her work is magnificent.

Everything about her is mesmerizing. However, her eyes are captivating and spellbinding. And the centerpiece of this picture.

I was faced with a huge challenge with this shot. Black on white. Black attire on the milky white complexion. Keeping the black bustier lit, so you can see the ribbon coming out of the eyelets, being able to see her dark hair on the dark
fabric and not over exposing her very white face was a task.

In the end, we were able to get the shot, with the use of only one light, and a softbox. Happy was I to see the triangle shaped light on her right cheek. I would hope Karsh approves of my mimicking his technique.