Portraiture - Working With Your Subjects

Carnevale Venice Copyright Carla Coulson

So many lovely people have written to me throughout the years asking me how I inject energy into my portraits.

One of the love affairs within photography for me are those special fleeting moments passed with my portrait subjects. I love people!  Often I am thrown into a situation where I don't know the subject, sometimes we don't speak the same language or there is absolutely nothing happening between us. What do I do?

I am always clowning around, asking my subjects to do something that will take their mind off  me staring at them with a camera or I ask them to act out something that will create energy.

I thought I would share some photos and tell you a little something behind each one  and how I worked with that particular person to get the shot.

I was in Provence shooting French Essence when I saw Vicki Archer's son and his friend heading outside with a pair of skies on a beautiful day. I followed them. There is no greater combination than daredevil boys and a photographer! These guys had just returned from months skiing and decided to replicate some crazy moves on the trampoline. I was loving it! It only occured to me after a couple of goes that they could break their necks and here am I cheering them on (supposedly an adult). I convinced them to put the skies aside and do some acrobatics for me and voila this was the result.

It's such a rare occasion that I am in a boat and when it happens I go all photographer mad! I was shooting My Amalfi Coast with Amanda Tabberer and we had the opportunity at sundown to head out with one of our friends to take some pics. I asked Rocco to drive so that Positano would be in the background as we left the shore and I shot him in a moment where he was concentrating on not hitting other boats!

This shot was taken backstage at the Moulin Rouge. It was for a series of pics for Paris Tango. I always try where possible to get up high or down low. Change perspective on the person as much as possible. In this case I ran up a set of staircases while the beautiful dancer took a pause. I loved the contrast of the white wall and dark floor. For once I managed to have a calm pic!

I fell totally in love with this guy the minute I walked into the kitchen where he was working on the small island of Amorgos. The owner's wife was peeling a mountain of potatoes and this guy was cooking. No one spoke english except for a little girl. And I asked her if she could help me ask him to take his photo. I pointed to the terrace outside and this wonderful man did the rest with his questioning expression.

I love Greece and Francesco and I have been going for the past 5 summers. This picture was taken on our first Greek holiday on the island of Paros. In the morning the fishermen would hang out the octopus not far from out little hotel. I was chatting to this guy but he had his head down working. I  asked him if I could taste the octopus and he handed me a piece laughing and I kept shooting!

This pic was taken in a 16th century theatre in Florence. The model was incredible that day. She was moving in the most wonderful ways. This dress by Cavalli had the most beautiful bustle detail and this photo was taken as part of a series to show off the bustle of the dress. She was such a trooper even managed to tilt her head backwards to catch the light. I am sure it was uncomfortable but I have always loved the dreamy emotion.

This photo  of the fabulous Shay Stafford was taken backstage at the Lido de Paris. I love it backstage in the dressing rooms where the girls sit side by side with stuff everywhere. One of the most important things I am aware of when I work with my subject is the light. I am always conscious of how it falls and how if I move them a little this way or that - how it can improve. This photo was  taken just using the ambient light from her dressing table. I asked her to move around towards the light so that whatever she did whilst she was dressing would be in a flattering light.

So to recap these are some of the things I do when working with my subjects:

1. Find the best light
2. Find a great backdrop
3. Chat to your subject before starting. Try and be as relaxed and natural with them as possible and make them realise this isn't like 'going to the dentist'.
4. I never say 'no that's not working' even if it isn't. Be positive and give them all the encouragment you can.
5. Move around your subject, change angles and perspective to see if there is a better shot waiting to happen.
6. Give them something to do whether it be walking, running, fixing their hair. Anything to take their mind off you.
7. I make a fool of myself and that normally makes everyone laugh. I keep shooting when they are laughing.
8. If everything is going pear-shaped ask them to close their eyes and re-open them.
9. Have fun, if you create a relaxed atmosphere you are bound to take great photos.

I would love to hear from you if you have any particular ways of working with your subject.

Carla xx

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