Teen Photography Club: Posing for Portraits

Back in the day, we owned a portrait photography studio. When I started working at the library my boss thought that I would be a perfect fit for starting a teen photography club at our branch. That’s how I became a teen library specialist at my home branch. Well, that and the fact that I’m just a big kid at heart.

So, of course one of the Photography lessons that I taught the teens was portrait photography. I brought my light kit and a good camera, then I set up a mini studio in the program section of the library. Every teen had their portrait taken and played around with the lights and the camera. We talked about how to pose a subject and most importantly how to put the subject at ease.

Important to note:

• If your subject is uncomfortable, it will show in the portrait.
• If it feels unnatural for the subject, you will see it in their eyes.
• If you feel silly or awkward giving directions then you subject will feel that way too.
• If you are stressed out they will be stressed out too. They may even feel that they are the cause for your stress even if isn’t true.

Don’t be afraid to give directions.

• It will feel awkward when you are first starting out, but don’t worry you’ll catch on soon enough.
• Don’t be timid, but at the same time don’t be a jerk.
• Describe what you want them to do and let them put themselves into that position.

Allow your subject to sit comfortably on the floor, the chair, or the stool. You don’t need to make it super formal. Let them clasp their hands around their knees or cross their legs.

• When you allow them to be comfortable, they will have a more natural look on their face.
• You really don’t want the deer in the headlights look or the “ack, the red record light is on so I’m going to stiffen up, be nervous, and look freaked out look,” either.
• If you want a more formal look then zoom in closer and just do a head shot. They won’t know the difference.

If you are uptight. They will be uptight.

• Yes, you should be professional, but don’t take yourself too seriously.
• Laugh, joke around, and be friendly with the subject.
• Remember, being the absolute center of attention with lights shining and flashing on them is typically not a normal occurrence. They likely feel out of place and nervous. It’s your job to put them at ease. Otherwise, at the end of the shoot they’ll hate their photos, because they don’t look like their normal selves.
• Go with the flow and don’t stress out if you can’t get the shot that you had planned.

Group shots

• Let them sit and stand how they normally would, then make adjustments accordingly.
• Let them talk and joke around with each other as you shoot. You will get genuine smiles and reactions from their interactions.
• Be on your toes and shoot continuously. You will get some fantastic candids this way.
• Get them to tell you about their stories together. They will stop focusing on what you are doing and you can get some great candids.

Shots with pets

• Tell the subject to stay focused on you and not their pet.
• You may only get a second or two of attention from their dog, cat, rabbit, or iguana.
• Remember animal are unpredictable. Be sure to stay focused and shoot continuous shots.
• You are going to have to make noises or even dance around to get their attention.

Babies, toddlers, and kiddos

• Babies will go from laughing to crying in a moments notice.
• Babies cry. Don’t freak out. Just go with the flow.
• Snap photos of the baby crying. Parents will like the realness of the photo.
• Be sure to get the tears reflecting in the baby’s eyes. It makes for a beautiful shot.
• Toddlers and kids are crazy. Take silly shots of them.
• Negotiate with them. If you take three serious shots then we’ll take a bunch of goofy ones.

Activity: Role play and storytelling

I watched a YouTube video a while back (which, frustratingly enough, I cannot find again!) about how this guy gets amazing shots by telling his subject a story and having them act it out. He found this complete stranger and asked him if he’d be willing to sit for a free portrait. The guy agreed. So, the YouTuber told him a story and had him pretend to be the guy in the story.

His story: You are the premiere dinosaur expert. You are the best of the best, but are now semi-retired. Some young punk walks up to you, showing off and telling you all he knows about dinosaurs as if he’s the expert. However, you wrote the book he is quoting from. What is the look you give this kid?

The portrait that this photographer/YouTuber got was amazing! I wish I had the link to the video so you could watch it, too.

Story Examples to Use:

• You are the youngest hacker working for a government agency. You got careless and cocky and said government agency gave you the “choice” to work for them or go to juvie. You are walking into the the building for the first time and the guy at the front desk thinks you’re full of it. What’s the look that you give him?
• Your grandma misses you and knows that your favorite cookie is chocolate chip. You are away at University so you no longer get her cookies. She spent her day baking for you and carefully packing them in a tin. She writes you a sweet letter, then mails the package to you. To your surprise you have a box waiting for you at the post office. You recognize her handwriting. What is your reaction to such a lovely gift.
• You are a gifted artist. Your favorite artist that you have been stalking/following on Instagram for like forever selects your drawings out of hundreds of others. Your work is going to feature in her new Manga series. What is the reaction you give your best friend?

Or be creative and make up your own stories.

*This is how I had my lights set.

• Light meter reading for main light: 1/125th at f/8.5 and ISO 100
• Light meter reading for the fill light is f/5.6