Behind the Shot: Andrew’ s Portrait

Behind the scenes cell phone image of the set up used for Andrew’s portrait.

Andrew asked if we could squeeze in some headshots during his wife’s maternity photo session. “We totally can. How do you plan on using the headshots?” Andrew is a professor at Montana University in the field of economics. “I want to update my profile on the university’s website and Linked In.” We talked about bringing a couple outfits as options that would communicate his profession. We continued the conversation confirming last minute arrangements for the maternity photo session at his parent’s home.

Arriving at his parent’s home I set up the backdrop in their living room, the lights, and we blocked out some of the windows. Andrew took center stage and we began the photoshoot with standing poses first. We set up a new arrangement by moving one of their tables over the backdrop’s sweep. Andrew only needed a couple headshots for his use and his part of the photoshoot wrapped up after the seated poses.

After the photoshoot Andrew chose two images during the reviewing process. There was a third image that he wanted but it didn’t quite fit what he was looking for. We took a look at his university profile and his Linked In. I suggested I could take another photograph to mix with one of the images above for his Linked In banner. He really liked that idea. We discussed several options when I offered an idea. I described a set of books that could be used as a backdrop communicating his status at the university. He loved that idea!

I set my backdrop up, pulled my desk over the sweep, and set up a light. I began to select books and played with different arrangements on my desk, as a mock library. One of the nice things about being in a collegiate city is the number of used bookstores, one can discover forgotten gems from former libraries. I began to play with adjusting the light’s barn doors, arranging the books, bringing in props, etc. Below you can scroll through the gallery to see the number of arrangements before landing on the shot for Andrew’s Linked In Banner.

My desk is set up over the backdrop’s sweep. This is among the first arrangement focusing on the titles of the books.

After a few shots I decided to play around in a new direction with a single book.

After several camera angles of a single book it was time to combine the previous arrangement.

This is the photograph that started to head in the right direction.

Continuing to add more books for the maximal feeling. I have no “shelf control” is every professor’s motto.

I was playing around with the different stages of using the ribbon book mark.

This ended up being the final shot after playing around with the ribbon book mark, multiple angles, and various compositions.

The final phase was to combine the photographs for a Linked in banner.