People Pictures: 30 Exercises for Creating Authentic Photographs

11. Forging Relationships

I met with Keith, an author, to create some portraits for his upcoming book. His writing style is personal and down-to-earth. I wanted to capture that style so I took time to talk with him in a relaxed yet significant way throughout the shoot in his backyard. Compare this portrait to one I captured moments later, which is more intense, in Exercise 12.

Canon 5DMii, 85mm lens, f/1.2

BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS is something every people photographer must constantly do. Being successful at this isn’t so much about personality—shy versus outgoing, quiet versus loud—but about expressing real enthusiasm and interest in others. A ...