The brief was small and specific: two or three portraits for a website, LinkedIn and social media. My client wanted a short session without an elaborate production. I suggested ICON Studio, a space I knew, so we could spend the session working on the portraits.
A softbox and a little more contrast
I used a flash with a softbox to create soft, directional light. For this session, I kept the shadows a little stronger to give the close-up portraits more depth.
With a tight framing, small changes mattered: the angle of his face, his expression and how he sat in relation to the light. We worked through those adjustments rather than adding more equipment or locations.
Two backgrounds, different uses
I suggested white and black backgrounds. The white gave us a lighter version; the black created a darker, more contained portrait. We also tried seated poses and different crops.
I showed him photographs as we went. That let us discuss what was working and make changes during the session, before the final selection.
Three photographs from the proof gallery
I sent the proof gallery the next day, and he chose three photographs for editing. That was the timing of this particular session; delivery dates for a new booking are something we confirm when planning it.
The result was a small selection with variations in background, framing and expression, built around the places he wanted to use the portraits.
Plan a focused portrait session
If you need a few photographs for your professional profile, tell me where they will appear. A website portrait and a small profile picture may need different framing, even when they come from the same shoot.
See my business and branding photography or send me your brief. For a studio session, we can check ICON’s current rooms or use the Toronto studio guide to choose a suitable space.
