How do you move from a technically good photo of a person to a true portrait?

Question

I’m not asking about lighting or posing alone. I’m trying to understand what separates a clean, technically strong picture of a person from a portrait that communicates something real about who that person is, or how the photographer chooses to represent them.

How do you approach portrait photography so there is meaningful communication between subject, photographer, and viewer? Are there practical ways to build that connection and bring out personality, beyond camera settings and lighting? Recommendations for books, tutorials, or photographers who teach this approach would also help.

user15871 · Answer

Some of the best advice I've seen for developing a rapport between photographer and subject is a series that was featured on Strobist written by Sara Lando as a guest on the blog.

On photographing people, pt. 1: Before the shooting

On photographing people, pt. 2: During the shooting

On photographing people, pt. 3: After the shooting

Lando concentrates on how to put your subjects at ease from the time you first approach them about taking their photo all the way through to the delivery of the finished photos. She concentrates on how to neutralize their fear of the camera. She also discusses other aspects of managing the shoot. For instance:

Also make sure there aren’t several people shouting directions at once. This can happen when the subject mum/ fiancé /best friend is watching. It often comes from a good place, but is a recipe for disaster. There should be only one top dog on set, and you have to make sure it’s the one holding the camera. If everything else fails, have them hold a reflector while facing the wall. This won’t make much for your light but will make everything lighter just the same.

How do you move from a technically good photo of a person to a true portrait?

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