Where to find portrait subjects

[BlackDogPhoto]

After a fairly long photography hiatus, I’m getting back into it. I took time off as i started doing it as a business but lost the love for it that way. I always loved portraiture, but the kids are grown up, I’m not into self portraits so I’ve been thinking about where to find subjects.

I was thinking about TFP type stuff with models, is there any sites people would recommend. I quite like the idea of environmental type portraits in the future but want to get some practice in first

Should add equipment wise I have OM system camera and lenses, light stand, westcott shoot through umbrella, reflector and 1 Godox wireless flash to get me started…

 

[AndrewFlannigan]

If you just keep your camera to hand all the time, you'll find plenty of chances to photograph the people around you...

 

[cuthbert]

I actually had this problem, always loved photography, had children, then had two ready made subjects that I could practice on, and then they grew up and not really interested.

Knowing I was hitting this wall, I decided to get myself a 24mm and started to do experiment with other types of photography, and to be honest, it reignited my passion and getting out of my comfort zone and shooting with wides/ultra wides was the best thing I ever did.

 

[BlackDogPhoto]

I actually had this problem, always loved photography, had children, then had two ready made subjects that I could practice on, and then they grew up and not really interested.

Knowing I was hitting this wall, I decided to get myself a 24mm and started to do experiment with other types of photography, and to be honest, it reignited my passion and getting out of my comfort zone and shooting with wides/ultra wides was the best thing I ever did.

Yep this is me! I considered landscape but its just not my thing, ive done a bit of street in the past but always feels a bit awkward! I have a few lenses, think I just need to get out and shoot!

 

[cuthbert]

You just have to find your niche, give yourself time, be led by your subconscious, take photos of stuff you find interesting. I love urban decay, the traces left by humans (but without them in most of the time), it gives endless possibilities!

 

[juggler]

After a fairly long photography hiatus, I’m getting back into it. I took time off as i started doing it as a business but lost the love for it that way. I always loved portraiture, but the kids are grown up, I’m not into self portraits so I’ve been thinking about where to find subjects.

I was thinking about TFP type stuff with models, is there any sites people would recommend. I quite like the idea of environmental type portraits in the future but want to get some practice in first

Should add equipment wise I have OM system camera and lenses, light stand, westcott shoot through umbrella, reflector and 1 Godox wireless flash to get me started…

Portraiture and Model Photography are different things, albeit with some overlap.

Portraiture is mainly about the connection with the subject & their story. You can find suitable subjects anywhere.

Model Photography is mainly about selling something - whether that be clothes, sex or something else. Try Facebook model photography groups, Instagram, Strilio and PurplePort.

 

[AndrewFlannigan]

Portraiture is mainly about the connection with the subject & their story. You can find suitable subjects anywhere.

Indeed.

Model Photography is mainly about selling something - whether that be clothes, sex or something else.

Yes. It too often becomes a dehumanising exercise, quite the opposite of portrait photography.

 

[Mintchocs]

Start with family, friends and neighbours to build up your confidence plus it will get you past the learning the equipment phase. It reminds me of the situation where I was doing some portraits of my teenage nieces. At the end of the shoot I was struggling to fold my reflector to store it. My niece was quietly filming my struggles and let’s just say I faced a mountain of laughter for months about it.

 

[gramps]

As you have tried ‘street’, why not try a 100 Strangers project. Approach people in the street and explain briefly that you are doing a project and ask if you can take their portrait. Reassure them about not going on Facebook etc.

'Strangers' Project

An effort to photograph strangers with their permission and cooperation.

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