Capturing Unconventional Headshots
If you had told me 7 years ago when I started my own
photography business that I would be the go-to for drag queen headshots I probably
would have laughed.
Not because it’s not something that I imagined myself doing, but
because I would have asked you “how do you even get into something like that?”
But now, it makes a lot of sense for me.
I am an avid lgbtqia+ advocate, and some of my absolute best
friends are drag queens.
Capturing great drag photos can be broken down to figuring
out how to capture the performer’s personality, creating optimal lighting,
finding feminine angles, poses, & telling a story.
Capturing Unconventional Headshots – Capturing Personality
Drag queens have A LOT of personality. It’s one of their
most wonderful traits. But how do you capture that in a photo?
Laughter.
If your subject is having fun, it will absolutely shine
through. Just like I said in my blog Working with children & animals. Genuine smiles are the best
smiles.
You can spot a fake smile from a mile away.
Another thing most drag queens LOVE?
Booze and music.
Ask your subject to bring their favorite wine or champagne, and put
on their favorite dance music. Being a little drunk and dancing is their
natural preforming habitat. Work with it.
Capturing Unconventional Headshots – Lighting
Typically, you get the best lighting for headshots and
studio sessions from natural light. This is NOT true for drag headshots.
Drag hair, makeup, and bodies are artificial, so artificial
lighting works best.
Natural light captures natural beauty. Unfortunately, this
natural light will capture the over-exaggerated contour of a drag queen’s face.
And even though they aren’t trying to look natural, they
still want to look good. So, umbrella lighting does the trick. It also allows
you to play with the shadows to help their contour.
Always, always, always remind your subjects to find their
light.
Capturing Unconventional Headshots – Angles
When you’re in the middle of your shoot telling 'Lucile Ballz'
to arch their back more, you have to remind yourself that this is a man you’re
talking to.
He has been posing like a man his entire life.
Playing with your angles to find the most feminine shots is
all a matter of illusion.
Referring to camera angles that women typically use – like high,
and at an angle – will help you create angles that are flattering.
Capturing Unconventional Headshots – Poses
Some subjects simply aren’t flexible enough to get into the
typical ‘pinup’ style poses that you work towards in photoshoots like these.
Constantly looking up new ways to position your subjects
will keep you from drawing a blank when you are in the midst of your shoot.
This is especially helpful when you encounter a subject who
is just not able to do the things you are asking them to.
Capturing Unconventional Headshots – Tell a Story
“What’s my motivation?”
Something I love about these types of photoshoots is that
drag queens always come full of ideas and inspiration.
They never show up wanting to just take pictures.
They want to tell a story.
So get involved and help them translate the ideas in their
heads to photos that don’t need to be spelled out.
Capturing Unconventional Headshots – Final Thoughts
Branding yourself as an lgbtqia+ photographer has definite pros
and cons. And while I could tell you all about the difficulties of interactions
with hateful or bigoted people, I’m going to tell you my favorite aspects of
this market.
·
It is never boring.
·
It is SO rewarding to see the reach your photos
get by being unconventional and unique.
·
You build strong connections and relationships.
·
People know they can trust you with their
business because you stand for something.
Happy Shooting!
Laura Rose-Grabinski
18 April 2017
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