I tend to ask a lot of questions, and it’s not because I merely inquisitive. They are an avenue of means to help me deliver the best photograph I can create for you. Here are three important questions I pose to all of my portrait clients:

1. How are your photos going to be used?
This is essential in helping me determine venue, gear, wardrobe… just about everything for your shoot. Are you posting these photos on Facebook, hanging them on your wall at home, giving them as gifts or all of the above?

2. What type of personality do you want to convey?
It might sound a little esoteric, but creative professional photographers aren’t just technically savvy… our profession involves a delicate interplay of artistic expression with technical expertise. We aren’t just taking a picture, we’re creating a portrait, and we want to know what type of personality you want to portray to your audience. Is this a business headshot that is meant to convey power, prestige and confidence, or do you want it to be relaxed, contemporary and fresh? Perhaps it’s meant to be more editorial in nature? Do you want your engagement photos to be fun, exciting, and vibrant or would you rather they be soft and romantic?

3. What do you want to hide?
Let’s face it, a lot of us are a bit camera shy. One little-known reason I got into the portraiture business is because I never liked how I looked in snapshots… so I practiced on myself, over and over and over again. It may have appeared a little narcissistic, but I learned how the smallest of elements can affect how you look in a photograph. So please disclose that “flaw” you want minimized and I’ll work my magic to flatter your favorite features**.

*Links are a collection of favorite photos from my flickr friends.
**Yes, that’s me, photographed by Marilyn Nieves.