A good portrait should be thoughtfully planned, bearing in mind who you are and what makes you, well, you. It’s just not enough to capture a photo of you and your family and call it a day. Many things about the photo should tell a story about you. The purpose of a good portrait is to tell a story about who you are, right now in your life. It should be something you can go back to for years to come to remember how you were back when…
One of the most important things to consider about a portrait is the location. The location can be a favorite park, the spot where he proposed, your first home or any of a multitude of places. A meaningful location can bring back memories in the portrait and add to its overall impact. For example, photographs of a toddler against a studio backdrop can be nice, but would mean a whole lot more if they were taken at the park that Mom used to take him to everyday. Especially if there are candid images captured of his favorite things to do at the park.
A popular trap to avoid is getting a portrait at the “popular” locations that everyone else goes to. For example, many people in Southern California have their family or engagement portraits done at the beach. the important question is: “Do you go to the beach very often?”. If the answer is yes, then a beach portrait would not only be appropriate, but would probably be a great representation of your family. If the answer is no, then you should really consider the places that you do spend time together. A good portrait is an important investment, and should be taken in a fitting location along with all of the other things about you that will capture meaningful memories.
