I’m Bob Foyers of Foyers Photography in Bentwaters, Suffolk, and I recently had a portrait shoot in the studio with Poppy. She brought a warmth and easy energy that made the whole session a pleasure, and I’m grateful to her for trusting me to photograph her. Here I’ll share how the shoot went, along with a few things I’ve learned about making good portraits.
What makes a good portrait
Portrait photography is about capturing more than a likeness. It’s the personality and mood of the person, their inner self as much as their appearance. That takes an eye for lighting and composition, and a genuine connection with the person in front of the camera.
Preparing for the shoot
A little preparation goes a long way:
- Get to know your subject beforehand, their likes and interests, so the portrait reflects who they are.
- Choose a location or setting that suits their personality and the mood you want.
- Plan the lighting and have the right kit ready.
- Pick a lens that fits the style you’re after.
On the day
Once everything is set, the work is about the person:
- Talk to them, make them laugh, put them at ease before you start shooting.
- Watch the details: posture, expression, clothing.
- Try different angles, from above, below and at eye level.
- Keep the background simple so nothing distracts from the subject.
- Work the lighting until it flatters them.
Poppy’s shoot stands out as one of my favourites. She was comfortable in front of the camera from the start, and her genuine smile made it easy to catch her real character. The session was a proper collaboration, and I think the results show it. For me a portrait should be more than a record of a moment, it should reflect the person’s spirit, and that’s what I aim for with every sitting.
You can see more of my work on the portraits portfolio.
A few common questions
- Do you only work in the studio? No. I’m happy to photograph people at home or outdoors wherever the setting suits.
- What kit do you use? Professional cameras and lenses suited to portraits, with a range of lighting for different looks.
- How long until I get the images? Usually about two weeks, depending on the shoot.
- Do you retouch the photos? Yes, editing and retouching are part of the service.
Thanks again to Poppy for a memorable session.