Creating a great travel portrait isn’t always easy, but it can be incredibly rewarding and lead to memories that will last a lifetime. I sat down with Jennifer Spelman, known for her engaging and poignant street photography, and who led my Santa Fé Photographic Workshops tour of Havana, Cuba about her tips for making compelling portraits. From the philosophical to the practical, here’s what she had to say. (Every wonder how to choose a good travel photography tour? Click here for advice. )
Make Your Interaction a Gift
For most people, the hardest part about portrait photography is walking up to a total stranger and asking to take a photo. Jennifer believes it’s a lot easier if you try it with this approach. “Consider the interaction as a gift to the person you’re photographing. You don’t have to feel as if you’re taking something from them. If you do it right, it can literally be the most special part of their day. You’re not out to harm anyone, you’re out to glorify them, and that’s a really positive way to look at the experience,” she says.
Figure Out What Makes Your Subject Special
You see someone and you want to make a portrait. But why? It’s important to think about what grabbed your attention, Jennifer says. What it is that you want to say about that person? “Are you trying to emphasize their beauty? That they’re interesting? The more you recognize what you want to convey, the more it will lead you towards simple choices that will help you be successful.”
Ask Permission
To ask or not to ask to take someone’s photograph? Some people feel that by asking permission, a subject will behave differently which can ruin the shot, but according to Jennifer, “There’s a point when you’re in somebody’s face and you owe it to them to help them understand what you’re doing.” And, in general, it’s the communication between the photographer and subject that makes a portrait more engaging. If someone doesn’t want his picture taken, don’t take it. If roles were reversed, you’d want the photographer to respect your wishes.
Don’t Fiddle in the Moment
“From a strategy standpoint, I want my camera to be secondary so that I can focus on the person,” Jennifer says. Get your settings in order before you approach your subject. “Consider the light and composition ahead of time before you even begin your conversation.” And be sure you know how to work your camera before you head out on the road. Don’t make someone wait while you figure it out.
Reflect on the Light
The most flattering light for a portrait is open shade, rather than bright sun. If you have the option, look for some kind of overhang or awning where there the light is diffused, or try shooting early in the morning or late in the day when it’s not so harsh. And don’t be afraid to ask your subject to move a little. “Sometimes you’re only two steps away from making a really good picture or making a nasty one,” Jennifer says.
Ignore the Thumbs-Up
If someone flashes a thumbs-up or a peace sign, let it go. Jennifer advises shooting right through it. “I give positive reinforcement back to them and in a minute or two, they almost always fall into something more natural.” She also suggests lowering the camera a little bit and talking to the person. “When they’re less expecting to have their picture taken, those outtake moments often end up being the best,” she adds.
Consider Your Composition
A headshot will emphasize a person’s eyes, personality or expression, while shooting at three-quarter length brings more clothing and background into play and a full-length shot includes the environment. When choosing your composition, ask yourself, is this about the person or the place? If you don’t know, try different distances. Jennifer starts by shooting farther away and then gradually moving in as her subject relaxes. Make sure to watch out for hands and feet in the frame and avoid cutting people off at the joints; otherwise, your subject could unintentionally look like an amputee.
Experiment with Different Angles
The height and direction that you shoot your subjects from makes a statement. If you photograph from above, there is a tendency for the subject to look smaller which emphasizes aloneness or sadness. Shooting from below makes a person look bolder and more iconic. For women, the most flattering angle is from slightly above, because it defines the jawline and thins the body. When photographing children, try shooting them at eye level.
Stagger a Group
Group dynamics are different than approaching an individual. Take a moment to figure out who the leader is within the group and ask them if you can take a photo. If the leader is interested, typically everyone else will join in.
Compositionally, groups have a tendency to want to line up, but that doesn’t make for a layered or dynamic photograph. By pulling a few people forward – think: your classic album cover in which the artists are always staggered – that slight separation will make the image more interesting. You can also separate people by relationships to tell your story. “If it’s a whole family, maybe mom and dad are a step behind. Whoever is closest to the camera is going to dominate the frame, so think about who you want to emphasize.”
A version of this article first appeared on US. News & World Report’s Travel Blog
For regular updates sign up for The Insatiable Traveler’s newsletter
Thanks for explaining that we can improve our quality of photos by shooting early in the morning or later in the day so that the light isn’t as harsh. I’ve always been interested in photography and think it would be a fun cultural experience to travel and shoot photos. I’m glad I read your article because I never considered that the time of day might have an effect on the photos I get!
I’m so glad you found the post helpful! Thank you very much for letting me know.
Wonderful advice and absolutely beautiful shots! Thank you for the tips!
Thank YOU! I appreciate you taking a look and letting me know. 🙂
Interesting photo blog. You have got Nice photos there. Good job man
Great post! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much!
Fantastic advice to go along with the striking portraits you’ve taken here.
Thank you very much. I’m glad you found the article worthwhile. 🙂
Amazing Story …
I’m glad you enjoyed it. Welcome to the blog!
Great tips.
Amazing article 🙂
Glad you found the piece useful. Thank you for letting me know. 🙂
Great tips 🙂 too bad I didn’t find this when I was travelling :///
Thanks! Good tips for next time. 😉
Great advice! I normally feel very shy and awkward while trying to take portraits of people while traveling. Thanks for the shift in perspective I needed!
Yay! I’m glad you found the article worthwhile. 🙂
Great tips and even greater shots! The best part of the photo is how you captured the essence… by interacting with them and feeling their emotions and learning about their behaviors, then managing to portray them so beautifully.
Thanks, I’m glad you feel the post is helpful. Interacting with a subject usually is the best way to get memorable results. But it can be awkward to just walk up to somebody. I still find it hard sometimes.
All I can say is Amazing Photo shoots and effects, Thanks For The Tips.
You’re very very welcome.. 🙂
Beautiful and real shots 🙂
Thank you so much!
Thank so much for the tips. I love this kind of photography and your insights are well appreciated.
You’re most welcome! I’m really happy you found it worthwhile.
Thank you Susan. The hardest part of taking travel portraits is approaching the person. You have really changed the way I look at it.
I’m really happy you found it helpful 😀
Thank you so much for the tips and for sharing your photographs. They are so much in the moment yet each face seems to reveal a lifetime of stories at the same time.
Your tips about engaging the subject were really what I needed. This morning on a walk to the local market, I took two portraits – one of women selling bamboo shoots, and the other of women selling green leaves and other forest produce they had collected. I was completely fascinated by the way the women were engaged in peeling the bamboo shoots. I stood for quite a while watching them while they too had given me the space to move in. There was a connect. So when I clicked the picture, it was an almost natural act, leaving both sides enriched.
In a moment, I moved towards where the women selling the greens were seated and , almost mechanically, clicked a picture of them too. It was an awkward moment. The women stiffened up – I had made them feel as if they were an afterthought. Do wish I had read your blog before stepping out.
However, these tips, especially about the interaction being a gift, I shall keep close to my heart. Thanks again.
Looking forward to more great tips.
Thank you for such thoughtful comment and kind words. I am glad you had a chance to read the blog and would love it if you would let me know how it goes now that you have these tips under your belt.
I love this post and adore this style of image. Great tips, thank you.
Thank you! I’m glad you find it useful. Welcome to the blog. 🙂
These are some great tips, thanks for sharing.
My pleasure, I’m glad you feel it’s useful. Thank you!
I love this post! Thank you so much for sharing these great tips. I love street photography but have struggled with awkwardly approaching people. Every bit of advice is helpful! Beautiful photos!
It feels uncomfortable for sure but I found Jenks approach to be a very helpful way to think about it. I’m glad you found the info helpful. Welcome to the blog!
this is amazing. the information along with the photography. keep up the good work
Thank you so so much. I really appreciate it.
Excellent information, thank you!
You’re very welcome. 😀
THANKS FOR SHARING!
THANKS FOR SHARING
You’re most welcome!
This is a really great article! Such great advice and amazing photos!
I’m glad you found it useful and thank you so much about the photos. 🙂
Love this post! Thnx!
Thank you! Glad you liked it.
That is an amazing photograph!
Thank you! Which one?
All of them!
That’s cool! Thank you. 😀
I like this website
I’m so glad!
Lol
I enjoyed this very much Susan so thank you 🙂
You’re most welcome Sóla. I’m glad you liked it. 🙂
Great photos! I would like to know what type of camera you used. Also, have you ever used a Twin Lens Reflex in your work? Thanks in advance for your reply. D.W.
Hi there – I used a Canon 5D Mark 3. I haven’t used the other camera. 🙂
Great Article! Love the photos – There’s a feel in this photos…too good!
Glad you find the article useful and thank you so much about the photos. Means a lot. 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing! The photos look amazing!!
Thanks a million. I’m glad you find it useful!
Great article and thanks for sharing your tips Susan. I can feel the emotions on your photos.
I’m so glad you liked it. The tips were really from Jennifer but I agree with her point of view wholeheartedly.
Nice photographs.
Thank you!
Thanks for sharing…
Some fab tips, thank you. Your photographs are amazing.
Thanks for sharing the tips 🙂
This is really good advice. I feel more comfortable taking photos of landscape. I shy away from people photography for a number of reasons, I think, this will help a great deal
I’m so glad. I found Jennifer’s approach very helpful too.
Great Photos and tips, Susan!! Always felt portrait photos should speak the time, essence and state of mind..
Jennifer’s tips are extremely helpful. I totally agree with her point of view. I’m glad you found the article helpful. And thank you very much for the kind words about the photos. 🙂
Thank you for this. Now I am more determined and inspired to have my own camera and do this. This is such a lift up for our fellow bloggers/photographers. 🙂
Aw, thanks! I couldn’t ask for more than to inspire someone to grab a camera and try it themselves. I’m so happy that you found it worthwhile. Welcome to the blog and I hope you return. 🙂
Beautiful series!
Matea xx
Thank you!
compelling style….real creative and original
Thank you!
Thank you so much for sharing – these tips are actually realistic and helpful! I really like the idea of working out exactly WHY your subject is interesting and worth shooting – never really thought about it with that much depth
Breathtaking pictures capturing human emotions. Great tips on how to take a picture.
Thank you, and I’m glad you find it useful 😀
Thanks for the tips, really helps beginners such as myself and others.
That’s the best compliment in the world. I’m really glad you found it useful.
thanks!! the more i know.
You’re most welcome!
Beautiful photographs…and great insight! Love the idea of making interaction a gift.
I totally agree, when she said that I thought, that’s it! It’s a perfect way to get the right mindset. Thank you very much about the photos.
Susan, these photos are truly some of the deepest I have seen in quite a while. More than angles, the lighting, or anything professional; you’ve captured emotion. It is like you can see a lifetime of stories for each person. Truly amazing work!
Wow.. I’m blushing. What a lovely compliment. Thank you so much and welcome to the blog!
Very welcome and thank you.