Have your subject perform a task

(Click on photos to enlarge)

In a very, very general way, I think I can divide my portrait photography into four types:

1 - Portraits that look posed and that were posed
2 - Portraits that do not look posed but that were posed
3 - Portraits that do not look posed and that were not posed
4 - Portraits that do not look posed but that were a combination of posed and not posed

I hope that made sense. What I want to address in this blog are the "portraits that do not look posed" (types 2, 3, and 4 above). For a picture to appear not posed, it should look as if the photographer caught the model in the midst of performing some task - as if the photographer just happened by with their camera and quickly snapped a picture.

Let's address #2 above. This could be challenging for the model to achieve for two reasons:
1 - It may be difficult for the photographer to convey the look they want to the model.
2 - It may be difficult for the model to come up with a believable pose, even if they understand what it is the photographer wants.

Let's look at #3 above. The photographer can keep an eye on the model throughout the photo shoot, hoping they will do something that will result in an interesting non-posed look. The problem is that there's no guarantee this will ever happen. 

So, let's go to #4 above. This offers the photographer the best chance of getting quality portraits that do not look posed. What I’ll do is to give the model a specific physical task to perform - something that requires them to move their body and, hopefully, vary their expressions. Because a real chore is being undertaken, their actions generally will appear more normal and realistic. And since I usually use strobes for illumination, and if their actions aren't too quick, the photos can be taken while they're moving. In addition, I can have them repeat what they're doing a few times, perhaps suggesting a slight modification for each repetition, until I end up with the images I want.
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This is an excellent technique for both the photographer and the model. It allows the photographer to shoot and the model to act continually, with only minor interruptions, for at least a little while. And it can be a nice change of pace, even if not done for the reason discussed above. Both get a break from having to move from static pose to static pose, normally the de rigueur of portrait photography.

Jennifer and I first worked out her positioning on the bed. I then asked that she pretend to be discouraging whoever it was that wanted to join her there. Her actions were quite forceful and convincing, leaving no doubt that she wanted to be left alone.

Gretel was high-energy and very entertaining even without the microphone. But with it, she was at a whole other level. The only direction I gave was, "You're a rock star!".

Similar to the previous photo, I merely asked this young couple to behave how they would if alone together on their bed. They had no problem with this direction. Things quickly heated up. I reminded them that I was still in the room and taking pictures that would be seen by lots of people. Not knowing how far they intended to go, and having already shot some wonderful images, I ended the session.

I asked Esther to put her jacket on slowly and then take it off. She repeated this a few times, enabling me to shoot about six photos on each occasion. The twisting of her body, enhanced by her lean figure and flung-out arm, formed a beautiful dynamic pose. The bright sun added shadows, which produced definition and contrast in her clothing. Her head aimed at the sun meant her face was lit well and had no harsh shadows. 

These two college students shared an apartment but were not a couple. They did, however, appear to be close friends. I had the idea of them pretending to have tired of each other. Further, I suggested their bathroom as a place where they both just happen to end up together one day and where their annoyance and boredom with one another come through.

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