Technical perfection in portrait photography—ideal lighting, sharp focus, flawless composition—only gets you halfway to a truly compelling portrait. The missing ingredient? Connection. The ability to reveal something authentic about your subject, to capture a genuine expression or emotion, is what elevates a technically sound portrait to an unforgettable one.
In this guide, we'll explore how to create meaningful connections with your portrait subjects, resulting in images that go beyond surface appearances to reveal genuine personality and emotion.
Before the Shoot: Laying the Groundwork
Research and Preparation
Connection begins before your subject ever steps in front of your camera:
- For client work, have a pre-shoot consultation to understand their goals, concerns, and preferences
- For personal projects, learn about your subject's interests, accomplishments, or backstory
- Show genuine interest in who they are, not just how they'll look in your photos
- Share your vision for the shoot and invite their input
Setting Expectations
Many people feel uncomfortable in front of the camera because they don't know what to expect:
- Explain your process and what will happen during the shoot
- Assure them that you'll guide them through poses and expressions
- Set realistic expectations about the final results
- Address any specific concerns they might have
Creating Comfort: The Foundation of Connection
The Physical Environment
Your shooting environment significantly impacts your subject's comfort level:
- Control the temperature—too hot or cold will show in expressions and body language
- Consider privacy needs, especially for vulnerable or intimate portraits
- Play appropriate music to set the mood and fill awkward silences
- Minimize distractions and unnecessary people on set
- Have water and simple refreshments available
Your Demeanor as the Photographer
Your attitude and behavior set the tone for the entire session:
- Project confidence without arrogance—subjects need to trust your direction
- Maintain a calm, positive energy even when facing technical challenges
- Be fully present—put away your phone and give undivided attention
- Show enthusiasm when you capture good images—your excitement is contagious
Breaking the Ice
The first few minutes of a session often determine its success:
- Start with simple, achievable poses to build confidence
- Share something about yourself to establish reciprocity
- Use appropriate humor to lighten the mood
- Ask open-ended questions that can't be answered with a simple "yes" or "no"
Directing with Purpose: Guiding Without Controlling
The Language of Direction
How you communicate directions significantly impacts results:
- Use clear, specific instructions rather than vague suggestions
- Demonstrate poses yourself instead of just describing them
- Give positive reinforcement—tell them what's working, not just what isn't
- Use relatable analogies rather than technical terms
Posing for Authentic Results
Even "posed" portraits can feel natural with the right approach:
- Start with a base pose, then make small adjustments rather than completely repositioning
- Give your subject something to do with their hands to reduce awkwardness
- Create movement within poses—slight shifts in weight or small actions
- Direct posture based on the subject's natural tendencies rather than forcing unnatural positions
The Power of "Why"
Helping subjects understand the purpose behind your directions creates better cooperation:
- "Turn your shoulders slightly away from the camera to create a more slimming effect"
- "Lift your chin just a bit to define your jawline"
- "Let's try this angle to catch the beautiful side light on your face"
Eliciting Genuine Expressions
Beyond "Say Cheese"
Authentic expressions rarely come from simply asking for a smile:
- Ask subjects to recall specific memories that evoke the desired emotion
- Tell stories or jokes that naturally trigger reactions
- Create real moments by engaging in conversation about topics they care about
- Use the "almost smile" technique—ask them to smile, then relax it slightly
The Power of Distraction
Sometimes the best expressions happen when subjects momentarily forget about the camera:
- Give them a task to focus on
- Ask unexpected questions that require thought
- Have them look away, then back to the camera
- Create a "fake ending" where they think you've finished shooting
Working with Different Personality Types
Adapt your approach based on your subject's personality:
- Introverts often need quiet encouragement and less social pressure
- Extroverts may benefit from more energetic direction and feedback
- Analytical types appreciate understanding the "why" behind your requests
- Creative personalities often respond well to conceptual or emotional prompts
Capturing Vulnerability: The Heart of Compelling Portraits
Creating Safe Space for Vulnerability
Truly memorable portraits often contain an element of vulnerability:
- Earn the right to capture vulnerability through respect and professionalism
- Share your own vulnerability first to establish reciprocity
- Respect boundaries—never push subjects beyond their comfort zone
- Honor the trust placed in you by being selective about which images you share
The Eyes: Windows to Connection
Eye expression is perhaps the most important element of emotional portraiture:
- Direct eye contact with the camera creates immediate viewer connection
- Looking away can convey contemplation, memory, or longing
- Partially closed eyes can express various emotions from contentment to sensuality
- The "catchlight" in the eyes brings portraits to life—position your light sources accordingly
The Technical Side of Connection
Camera Handling for Better Connection
How you operate your equipment affects your ability to connect:
- Master your technical settings before the session so you can focus on your subject
- Maintain eye contact as much as possible—don't hide behind the camera
- Consider using a tripod for some shots to free yourself to interact more directly
- Learn to shoot one-handed occasionally to maintain gestures and demonstrations with your free hand
Lens Choice and Connection
Your lens selection affects the feeling of connection in the final image:
- 85-135mm lenses provide flattering compression while maintaining natural perspective
- Wider lenses (35-50mm) can create a more environmental feel but require closer working distance
- Very long lenses can create beautiful portraits but may make direct connection with your subject more challenging
After the Shoot: Sustaining the Connection
Immediate Feedback
How you handle the end of the session impacts the overall experience:
- Show select images during the shoot to build confidence
- Express genuine appreciation for their time and cooperation
- Provide clear expectations about when and how they'll see the final results
Editing with Authenticity in Mind
Your post-processing choices can either enhance or destroy the authentic connection captured:
- Resist over-retouching that removes character and uniqueness
- Preserve natural skin texture while addressing temporary imperfections
- Edit to enhance the emotional quality of the image, not just its technical aspects
Building Your Connection Skills
Like any aspect of photography, creating connection is a skill that improves with deliberate practice:
- Study people-oriented professions like teaching, counseling, or sales for communication techniques
- Practice active listening in all your conversations
- Analyze portraits that move you emotionally to understand what creates that connection
- Review your sessions afterward to identify what worked and what didn't in creating connection
Remember that every person you photograph is unique. The techniques that create connection with one subject might fall flat with another. The truly skilled portrait photographer has a diverse toolkit of approaches and the sensitivity to know which to apply in each situation.
What techniques have helped you create connection with your portrait subjects? Share your experiences in the comments below!
