On camera-ready style and sartorial photos
The light, composition, photographer’s vision plus miscellany elements and circumstances will cause sundry effects on the final photograph. The subject has little control, only that of carriage and confidence. Considering the increasing popularity of sartorial photos, a greater number of individuals are seeing the need to consider the camera when choosing their outfit for the day. I even recall my mum saying that the reason she opted to wear a certain color was largely due to it rendering well in photos. Then again, my observations may have been slightly influenced by a photo-crazed holiday hangover.
Portrait-worthy ensembles have been part of my life as a fashion blogger. Not only do I take photos of my own outfits, I also take time to highlight outfits of other people that catch my eye or which I know would inspire the readers of Style Manila. The varying styles I see on our local streets have been colorful and inspiring. Because I’ve been taking sartorial photos since 2006, I’m fortunate enough to have witnessed the changes as trends catch on and interpreted by fashionista veterans and newbies alike. The journey has been highly entertaining.
Surprisingly, some still latch on the idea that to achieve the right sartorial photo (or any photo for that matter), one should project herself in a certain way — mimicking a model pose or stance perhaps — but we all know (at least for folks who are taking the photo or are models themselves) that it’s never a good thing to seem like someone else. The person being photographed will only end up with a stiff body language and a smile that’s a little too forced. Relax and be yourself. Let the photographer capture the real you and you’ll end up with a much better portrait than the one with model-ish poses.
Because we’re also talking about sartorial photos, let’s focus on the clothes for a minute. As a photographer, I’m responsible for capturing the essence of the overall look or the individual’s personal style. Since most of my photos are taken at random, my subjects don’t have control over what they’d be wearing at the time I’m around. That’s part of the fun about photographing street fashion, it’s the kind that’s real enough for the onlooker to relate to or be inspired by. But what about scheduled photo shoots?
At a recent pictorial I had with my family, I did get the chance to plan my outfit a little. However, I didn’t veer too far off from my personal style — opting for items that I do own and wear — but merely charged up my ensemble to a magnified style level that helped in creating a larger-than-life feel on the photos.
Plan it or wing it, ultimately, it’s your decision. Whatever outfit you’d end up wearing as you see a camera pointed in your direction won’t really matter. It’s your poise not your pose which will make for a better photo. No light can ever match the inner glow of a happy, confident wearer. In other words, don’t over-think your personal style; just have a blast with it. The camera will love you for it!
