What Is A Portrait Photographer?
Pictures are the language of the 21st century. Nothing can work or flourish without pictures, from social media profiles to job applications, identification documents, cross-continent travelling, to business marketing and advertising.
Among the various photography genres available, portrait photography is rapidly gaining popularity due to its unique ability to bring the subject under ultra-focus. Portrait photographs are carefully curated pictures that use expert techniques to highlight the distinguishing features of the subject's face while also capturing the essence of their personality and aura.
So what exactly do portrait photographers do? More importantly, how do they do it? In this article, we will be discussing portrait photographers and how they go about their business.
So let's get started!
What Do Portrait Photographers Do?
As the name indicates, portrait photographers are responsible for capturing a portrait. This picture can be an official portrait needed for documents such as passports or certificates, a family portrait that one might want to get framed, couple or group portraits at weddings and parties, or portraits to mark an achievement such as graduation portraits.
Essentially, a portrait photographer captures the crucial moments in your life, moments that you would want to be etched into your memories forever.
As a portrait photographer, you need to assess the needs and requirements of every client, whether they want their pictures a certain way, if they wish to have the background in focus or not, what kind of lighting and angles do they prefer and if they're going to have single-person portraits or group portraits, etc.
Once you find out what the client needs, you can quickly create the perfect shot that meets all the standards you expect as the photographer. To capture the ideal image, you need to set up the space accordingly as well.
Instead of going through the lengthy process of curating the perfect backdrop, you can always rent a photography studio such as That Toronto Studio, where the studio can meet all your lighting and shooting needs.
How Much Do Portrait Photographers Earn?
Like all other professions, the rates and earning of a portrait photographer depends on their skill level and experience. The average hourly wage for a portrait photographer ranges from $50-$500 per hour on the job. But this doesn’t include their time spent marketing, editing, communicating, setting up, learning new skills, networking, etc.
This rate can increase as your expertise in the field increases. If you provide high-quality work and satisfy your clients, the rates can rise to the high end of the range given, with the average median salary ranging somewhere around $50,000-$70,000 a year.
Why Hire A Portrait Photographer For Your Headshots?
Portrait photographers can bring to life the picture that you have in your mind. They can do this either inside a studio or outdoors. However, outdoor portrait photography can be jeopardised due to several factors, such as the unpredictability of weather and the imperfect outdoor setting.
Portrait photography carried out in a studio can give you the perfect shot you desire, giving you memorable photographs to treasure for a lifetime.
Here we will be looking at why you might want to invest in hiring a professional for your portrait photography. So, let’s dive in!
Improved Consumer Response
The world of business marketing and advertising is constantly evolving. With the steady increase in the use of social media and witnessing the traction that visuals can generate, more and more companies and people are choosing to invest in good photographers that can provide them with a picture that they can use to attract consumers.
When your picture makes a person pause and engage, you have created a potential client. With each additional client, you will be generating income. It is, therefore, sensible to get your images taken by a professional who knows how to capture the perfect shot that can make a person stop and consider choosing your business for their needs. That’s a great business strategy, isn’t it?
A Controlled Environment Produces Better Images
Using a studio to shoot can give you an extra edge that your pictures might otherwise lack. When in a studio, the photographer can monitor various photograph aspects that one cannot control outdoors.
Some of these elements include lighting, background, props, positions in which pictures can be taken and using different instruments to diffuse and reflect the light in a certain way to create the perfect shot.
Comfortable Setting For The Client
Not only will it be easier for the photographer to work in a studio, but this will also be more comfortable for the client as they can get their pictures taken in the privacy of a studio, with the added benefits of using the restrooms when needed, fixing or changing your attire or appearance and most importantly, being able to get the photograph of your dreams irrespective of the time of day.
Celebrate Your Achievements
When you achieve a milestone in your life which you have been working towards for a long time, you cannot put that feeling into words. What better way to showcase it than to capture it forever in a photograph?
When selecting a photographer for events that are close to your heart, you want to choose the best option there is. Whether it is a graduation portrait, a wedding or pregnancy photoshoot or capturing the essence of familial bonding, choosing the right place to have your pictures taken is crucial.
A portrait photographer always prefers an indoor studio because the photographer can tweak various settings to make a great deal of difference in the final shot. With the weather, the setup and backdrop, the lighting and angles, and even using additional props, one can carry everything out efficiently in an indoor studio.
To get an idea about indoor studio rentals, you can check out That Toronto Studio, the leading photography studio rental service in Canada.
Conclusion
Portrait photography is a skill that comes with practice and experience. Hiring a professional who has learned to capture the perfect image is always a better idea than opting for amateurs who may not produce the results you desire.
A portrait photographer can recreate the picture of your dreams, provided the setting is correct. When you hire the right people and give them what they need, there's no reason why you will not get the photograph you desire. So why wait? Contact the team from That Toronto Studio to either rent the studio to shoot your portraits OR to get a quote on a portrait for you and/or your family or business team!
If you’d like to rent a high quality studio, may we suggest you check out That Toronto Studio, which has two rooms?
To check availability or book either of these two rooms, use the scheduler below!
Do You Want to be a Photographer too?
Here’s a list of gear that can help make your shoot a success. We have tried to list products from several price points / tiers so that no matter your budget, you can have an awesome and successful shoot!
Portable Lighting
Neewer 300W Battery Powered Flash w. Softbox | Neewer RGB Camera Mounted LED | Heavy Duty, Tripod-base Light Stand
Drones & Cameras
DJI Mini - highest-end drone manufacturer, great for exploring new areas
Off Brand Drone - affordable drone for low cost urban aerial exploration
GoPro 360 Camera - great for documenting your shoot. Shoot BTS & time-lapse!
Sony A7IV Camera - excellent low light camera. Professional grade.
Canon R6 Mirrorless Camera - high quality pro-grade mirrorless camera.
Canon M200 Vlogging Camera - excellent vlogging camera. Low price point.
Portable Computing, Storage, & Power
13” M1 Macbook Air | Waterproof Hard Drive | Sandisk Extreme Pro 128gb SD Card | 20,000maH Power Bank | 10,000maH Power Bank | AirPods | AirPods Pro | AirPods Max | SD Card Dongle for iPhone
Gimbals, Screens, Tripods & Tools
DJI Ronin SC | Screen for Ronin | Best Low-Priced Tripod | Joby Gorillapod for DSLRs | Joby Gorillapod for Light Cameras/Phones | Tripod for Vloggers | Gerber Multi-Tool
Rainproofing
Rainproof Camera Cover or this Waterproof Cover | Large Umbrella for 2 people
And don’t forget to take care of yourself too!
Protein Bars | Filtered Water Bottle | Mentos Fresh Gum (6 x 50 pack) | SPF 50 Sunscreen
