Uncover the stories behind iconic portraits.
May 18, 2023
Take a journey behind the lens and discover the creative process behind some of our most iconic portrait sessions. From lighting and composition to real connections with subjects, this post explores the stories, techniques, and inspirations that bring portraits to life.
Capturing personality through the lens.
An iconic portrait isn’t just about technical execution — it’s about presence, emotion, and story. Understanding what lies beneath the surface is the key to creating work that resonates.
Understanding the Subject
Behind every powerful portrait is a moment of connection. Whether you're photographing a close friend or a complete stranger, taking time to understand the person makes all the difference. Portraits that speak are born from moments that feel real.
The Role of Light and Environment
Lighting shapes the mood — it's one of the most essential ingredients in storytelling.
Natural light offers softness and realism.
Studio lighting gives you full control and consistency.
Location adds layers of meaning to the image — a city street, a quiet room, or an open field can each transform the story.
Choosing your environment and how you light it defines the emotional impact of your work.
Post-Processing with Purpose
Retouching is not about perfection — it’s about polish and atmosphere.
Color grading enhances mood.
Skin retouching should remain subtle to keep authenticity intact.
Cropping and composition tweaks bring focus and clarity.
Editing is where your artistic voice continues beyond the shutter click. It’s the final chapter of the portrait’s story.
This is an excellent company! I personally enjoyed the energy and the professional support the whole team gave to us into creating website.
So, back to the Dribbble meetup. We needed a way to let everyone know that we were here, so we had this little shindig. I wrangled up a couple of our super dope designers from the SF office, Jenny Johannesson & Robbin Cenijn. (They actually happened to be in town for the Awwwards conference, so I technically just borrowed them, no wrangling involved.) We ordered some pizza, picked up some cheese, and made sure the beer (and La Croix) was flowing.
Take a journey behind the lens and discover the creative process behind some of our most iconic portrait sessions. From lighting and composition to real connections with subjects, this post explores the stories, techniques, and inspirations that bring portraits to life.
Capturing personality through the lens.
An iconic portrait isn’t just about technical execution — it’s about presence, emotion, and story. Understanding what lies beneath the surface is the key to creating work that resonates.
Understanding the Subject
Behind every powerful portrait is a moment of connection. Whether you're photographing a close friend or a complete stranger, taking time to understand the person makes all the difference. Portraits that speak are born from moments that feel real.
The Role of Light and Environment
Lighting shapes the mood — it's one of the most essential ingredients in storytelling.
Natural light offers softness and realism.
Studio lighting gives you full control and consistency.
Location adds layers of meaning to the image — a city street, a quiet room, or an open field can each transform the story.
Choosing your environment and how you light it defines the emotional impact of your work.
Post-Processing with Purpose
Retouching is not about perfection — it’s about polish and atmosphere.
Color grading enhances mood.
Skin retouching should remain subtle to keep authenticity intact.
Cropping and composition tweaks bring focus and clarity.
Editing is where your artistic voice continues beyond the shutter click. It’s the final chapter of the portrait’s story.
This is an excellent company! I personally enjoyed the energy and the professional support the whole team gave to us into creating website.
So, back to the Dribbble meetup. We needed a way to let everyone know that we were here, so we had this little shindig. I wrangled up a couple of our super dope designers from the SF office, Jenny Johannesson & Robbin Cenijn. (They actually happened to be in town for the Awwwards conference, so I technically just borrowed them, no wrangling involved.) We ordered some pizza, picked up some cheese, and made sure the beer (and La Croix) was flowing.
