lemastre

<p>I found that people pick their portraits based on which shot shows them most nearly as they'd like to look. Considerations of composition come a distant second, so long as it's not been too badly mishandled. If it's a group shot, the selected pose will often be a painfully arrived at compromise, with the alpha member of the group having most influence.</p> <p>A client may tell you they like your work, but if they're basing that on their opinion of how you shot someone else, it's likely their criteria will change some when they're looking at themselves.</p> <p>You also need to start out understanding the purpose or purposes of the portrait. Some affluent clients want a shot that not only includes them and perhaps their family, but also shows ample evidence of their financial success. These shots usually appear to be "loose" compositions. But that extra space is included to show, for example, enough of the exterior of the subject's house to indicate how extensive it is, or in interior shots to show the wood panelling and fine furniture surrounding the subject or family group. You need to identify these clients and pose them among their most expensive or prized possessions.</p>