Finding portrait subjects.

Q: AS A BEGINNING PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHER, I’M HAVING TROUBLE FINDING SUBJECTS. MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS HAVE BEEN FULLY EXPLOITED. I’VE TRIED MODEL MAYHEM, ETC., BUT I HAVE NO DESIRE TO DO FASHION WORK AND THAT’S WHAT THEY’RE GEARED TOWARD. ANY IDEAS ON WHERE TO FIND PEOPLE WHO WANT TO BE PHOTOGRAPHED FOR SOME PORTFOLIO BUILDING? I KNOW THAT’S NOT VERY SPECIFIC, BUT I’M LOOKING FOR GENERAL ADVICE.

A: Do you frequent a coffee shop? Any regulars in there, or employees you think you could make a great portrait of? Ask them. Have kids? Are they in school? Ask their teachers if you could shoot a portrait of them after school one day.

“Hey, my name is so and so. I’m building a portfolio of portraits and I’d love to photograph you for it if you ever had the time.” Have a sample of your work to show.

Done. You’d be surprised how many will say yes. Once you get someone willing to shoot with you, do a great job and then ask if they know anyone who would be willing to do a session with you. Now you’ve tapped into a new circle of folks you didn’t have access to before. You’re not only building a new portfolio, but you are beginning to grow your first base of potential clients.

You could also meander the streets of your town looking for subjects. You’d be surprised by how many complete strangers will let you take their portrait. Atlanta isn’t much of a street photography town—in the candid sense of the term—but it is a great town for shooting street portraits. I regularly approach folks who I think would make an interesting portrait subject.

“Hi. My name is Zack and I’m a photographer here in Atlanta. I’m just walking around today photographing street portraits. It’s just sort of a hobby for me. I love that red hat you’re wearing. That is an awesome hat. Would you mind if I took a portrait of you?”

I was walking the streets of Atlanta one day and spotted this dapper gentleman in a restaurant. I loved his style. I walked in, introduced myself, complimented him on his hat, and asked if I could shoot his portrait. He was quite willing to do so. :: Phase One IQ140 / 80mm / f2.8 @ 1/60th @ ISO 200 / Available light.