It's the time of year here in Virginia Beach and Norfolk (and everywhere honestly) that kids are getting senior portrait photos taken. To celebrate the occasion, I wanted to talk about how I shoot portraits, and what the difference is between portraits, headshots, and other photos that people get done.
Are you looking to have portraits done? Send me a message for rates and scheduling!
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Headshots are typically composed in a straightforward way, with the subject centered in the frame and well-lit. Portraits, on the other hand, should be composed in a more creative way.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/c2710a7080cb06a1537d5f0d1b2db758/3f94cb0e-484a-49db-b3ef-ddcfe3c48db8_rw_3840.jpg?h=502f4926c032b5435e32bd777056a7b0)
The subject can be looking off-camera, with an expression ranging from serious to hilarious. The purpose is to show a more intimate element of a person's personality, rather than the professional, "please hire me" vibe.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/c2710a7080cb06a1537d5f0d1b2db758/cb0b4f48-85d0-4f38-954c-6cbf9116e1cb_rw_1920.jpg?h=8f9a7812a1b420df8bc17cdeb3ffc5be)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/c2710a7080cb06a1537d5f0d1b2db758/6b3b6cf1-60ff-465a-b924-ff31bede0854_rw_1920.jpg?h=c94e6aa30868981f651946044b9894c4)
It also allows photographers to get more creative with different lighting, focal lengths, and apertures. A universal truth about portrait photographers is that we have A LOT of gear and we like to find an excuse to use it.
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One of my favorite things is when a client starts the conversation with, "Okay so I have this crazy idea." Or, "I don't want my photos to look like anyone else's." And these days everyone has a camera attached to their phone, so you really should be hiring a photographer to take photos you can't get elsewhere.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/c2710a7080cb06a1537d5f0d1b2db758/3f4a9ea1-befb-4b85-ac8f-8453c6f60c3a_rw_3840.jpg?h=a44d5685e13bc4ad48c634b8478da7c6)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/c2710a7080cb06a1537d5f0d1b2db758/8d86bc6c-4897-4c13-ac09-c4ecc72e32b2_rw_1920.jpg?h=9a8b1b823bdd2a293b2d97f661528b24)
If you're looking to have some portraits taken, send me a message to get the conversation started. And don't be afraid to let me know if you've got any crazy ideas!
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/c2710a7080cb06a1537d5f0d1b2db758/29ed54c8-e351-42b6-9715-ec16dc713d73_rw_1920.jpg?h=863c2148fe3668d2a3a136044681abe9)
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