NZPhotographer Issue 59, September 2022

Creating Compelling Portraits
by Shelley Harvey
Hard at Play – Scene from a workshop.
When capturing and creating a compelling portrait,
emotion plays an integral role. For centuries art has
been about evoking emotion and we should always
ask ourselves, how do we want the viewer to feel
and how do we want to feel? Are we reaching into
the depths of our own past/present experiences and
touching on emotion that is within us that we need to
share to heal or empower ourselves?
Often when I find myself in an emotionally dark place,
my work comes through as light and happy, yet when
life’s worries no longer weigh on my mind, my work tends
to err on the dark side. Without psychoanalysing this
emotional work pattern, I guess I am trying to lift my spirits
when I am feeling vulnerable by making my work light
and bright and then feel emotionally safe to visit darker
emotions in my images when I am in a happy place.
Themes and storytelling can assist in conveying
emotion. Dark and grungy themes tend to evoke
anger, oppression and suffering and sorrow, whereas
light and playful themes will bring about contentment,
happiness and joy. By putting thought into your
theme or storyline you will result in a more emotionally
charged image.
PLANNING THE SHOOT
Inspiration for a storyline can be found all around you. I
brainstorm and write down ideas and concepts before
going into a photo session - anything that comes to
mind, and then build on that idea or emotion. I find
keeping a diary on hand a great asset, so when I
come across something that sparks my imagination (it
could be a colour, prop, costume, makeup, hairstyle,
or theme) I write it down. I find different styles provoke
different emotions. A story can spiral from just one word
or object. By writing it down, I can come back to it and
begin to plan it into an upcoming session. This way,
when I book a model, I have a reference of numerous
ideas we can put into action on the day.
NZPhotographer
September 2022
45