What’s the difference between a common snapshot and a portrait? What does it take to transform a portrait into fine art? Snapshots are candid photos taken randomly without any intent of making art. Portraits generally have a lot of creative work behind. Good portraits are achieved by paying attention to every element including camera technique, lighting and posing. Then you can build on the conceptions for the portrait, evoking personality traits. If you’re including more people, like families or group, it is important that the photo reflects the relationships between them.

Good portraying also require post-production or finishing work. Complicated chemical processes were used to improve the photos. All in all, the ingredients of a great portrait include getting to know the subject (usually through pre-interviews), thorough planning, mixing the information you have on the subject with your own artistic vision, good lighting and camera technique and guiding the subject into poses to portray his/her personality. You also need cooperation from the subject.