WHAT MAKES A GOOD BLACK AND WHITE PORTRAIT?
With a successful portrait, we feel we have encountered the real person.
Our desire to have a 'living likeness' of those we love, rather than fleeting snapshots, is strong. Likeness is important, but a successful black and white photograph captures the character of a person.
A key element in capturing the character of my sitters is taking photos in an environment in which they are happy and relaxed… usually their homes. As a child photographer, taking photos at home encourages a natural, informal sitting. I bring top quality lenses, professional lighting and a backdrop, which enable me to take the kinds of informal photos I love but still retain an uncluttered studio style.
The secret of evocative black and white portraits is to keep them simple and timeless. One of the ways I keep things simple is to ask my sitters to wear a plain white T-shirt or a classic white shirt. The person then becomes the focus rather than their clothing.
WHY CHILDREN WHO HAVE NOT YET LEARNT HOW TO SIT STILL MAKE GOOD SITTERS, OFTEN THE BEST.
They are so dynamic and full of life; the challenge is to capture that energy.
For over a decade I have been a child photographer specialising in taking black and white photographs in North London. Some little children of four and under find it impossible to sit still… ever, it seems! Amazingly enough they often make the best photographs. With the exception of one or two, the younger children on my portfolio page fit this description. They are so dynamic and full of life; the challenge is to capture that energy .Parents are often pleasantly surprised to see a great photo where they expected a blur. Go on, challenge me. I haven't been beaten yet.