Jul 31, 2023
Bill Gardner
Portrait or Headshot Photography can be challenging for anyone. Being photographed tends to make you nervous because you often don’t know what to expect. While we’ll ask you to pose in specific positions, you might not know if you are doing so correctly or if you are not paying attention to simple things such as hand position.
To make things easier for you and your family, you should consider bringing various props to your session. Props can add ambiance to your portrait or can contextualize the subject of a headshot by providing information about interests, careers, location, or other things that are important to you. The results of bringing and using props can be amazing since you or members of your family will be more directly involved in the photography concept.
What do you like to do? Do you like to read? How about take pictures during your vacation? Are you forever looking at your phone? If you’re a woman, do you normally carry a purse or handbag? All of these relate to perfect props that can be incorporated into your portrait or headshot! If you can concentrate on a special prop, whatever it might be, it will draw your attention away from yourself!
But what can you do if you don’t have any “good” props around your house? Look anywhere in your environment. I guarantee, with a healthy imagination, you will be able to come up with props almost anywhere you go!
Now don’t think that an everyday object will be completely boring as a prop. During your photography session, we will experiment. While you may think of using an object the way it is normally used, with a little imagination you might come up with different ways to use that same prop. The goal is to think alternatively; we will come up with some very unique images by using that everyday object!
As your photographer, we can use props that you bring to your session to help you relax. Props can be a considerable aid in getting a nervous subject to calm down. Without a prop, you will likely spend your time concentrating on your photographer and the camera. We are clearly focused on how you look in your photographs. Introducing a prop into the session will give you something to focus on. When people concentrate on an object or a prop, their facial expression will be more natural. Keep in mind that a natural look may not necessarily be the best look for a portrait or headshot. We will intervene and choose a frame or view that is most flattering for you.
Photographs taken in an environment that you can relate to can often benefit from using one or two props. They should be chosen to support the visual story and help provide additional information about the actual location. Such props can also show more of the subject’s character. Examples of such props include a particular style of hat, a crafts person’s tools, even a stack of books. You should choose props that are relevant to you or your family and the specific location. You should also decide ahead of time how you would like to portray the props. Even when a person is out of context with their environment, a well-chosen prop will tell their story. Introducing a prop to the photography mix can create a connection to whom and where the subject is.
Especially for headshots, holding a tool or other object that you work with every day can convey information about what you do for a living. A man holding a hammer could be perceived as a carpenter. A woman pictured with test tubes, flasks, and holding a beaker full of liquid will most likely be viewed as a scientist. Someone holding or standing next to a “For Sale” sign would be assumed to be a Real Estate Agent. As you can see, Headshot Props can be advantageous.
Some props may not be so informative for a headshot. Computers, clip boards, or books or other items which are too generic in nature may not be effective in the context of a headshot. The prop that you choose should convey specific information about your occupation…or at least hint at it.
Portrait Photography props can be an important aid in getting a nervous or uncomfortable person to loosen up. And with children, they can be the best distraction. Without a prop, you are likely concentrating on the photographer and camera. Your thoughts are focused on how you look. Bringing a prop to your session will give you something else to focus on. Focusing on a prop can transform your facial expression into something more natural.
Using the right prop, we will be able to help the camera shy subject to build feeling into their portrait. Giving a woman some flowers to hold during her session will almost always lighten the mood. Anyone holding a cup of coffee could have a similar effect. And the best part is that the prop does not have to be related to the person using it.
Using props when creating portraits or headshots can result in extra interest and depth. Especially in portraits, the use of props can provide the flexibility to exclude the subject’s face from every single image. Provided that the prop is appropriate to the subject, it can still be obvious that the photo is of the subject.
Props can support you, whether you’re having a Portrait Session or a Headshot Session. The way you interact and deal with the props you have chosen will influence the overall feel of the resulting image. Sometimes a prop needs to be present nearby. Other times you may want to form a relationship with the prop by holding it. In either case, the use of a prop will often lead to a much more interesting photograph.
If you are preparing for a Photography Session and question whether you should bring a prop with you, keep in mind that the purpose of any prop is to better support and add meaning to the main subject in a photograph. If you do bring a prop to your session, the result could very well be an enhanced photograph. If you fail to bring a prop, you may miss out on that opportunity.
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