Traditional portrait photographers, for centuries, have relied upon lighting and posing conventions that were largely based on the aesthetic ideals set forth by Master painters and sculptors. The results of their rigid approach to depicting the family resulted in a cookie-cutter look to portraiture. The subjects were beautifully lit, stiffly posed, and, well, proper. The resulting image presented a likeness of each family member but did not speak to the inner lives of the subjects.
Today, portraiture has changed along with the modern family. Families want portraits that make a statement--an image that tells viewers a story about the subjects who have gathered together in front of the camera. These portraits have a looser, "lifestyle" feel and are made, as they have traditionally been, inside of a photographic studio. Today, however, these portraits are also often captured in the family home, at an outdoor location--whether at the beach or in the heart of the city, or some other location that has personal meaning to the family.
In this book, Elizabeth and Trey present 60 of their favorite and most diverse family portraits, showing you the art and technique of creating highly salable portraits. With every captivating image, you'll learn how the Homans masterfully orchestrated the technical and artistic aspects of the portrait, from the location or backdrop selection, to the overall compositional qualities, to the arrangement of the group in the scene, to the individual poses. You'll also learn the strategies Elizabeth and Trey used to create natural poses that contribute to the feel of the portrait and will learn how the lighting (studio light, existing light, and natural light) was harnessed to create a polished, professional portrait.
Perhaps one of the big challenges of photographing families is that no family grouping or family dynamic is the same. This book will arm you with the tools you need to work with the smallest to largest groupings, including a wide range of subjects, from newborns to the elderly.
Elizabeth and Trey Homen own and operate Artistic Images Portrait Studio in San Antonio, Texas where they have enjoyed a very successful business for the past 22 years. The studio is located on 2 1/2 wooded acres where they have created a beautiful portrait garden. Elizabeth is known for her artistic portraiture of families, children and seniors, and her dynamic images of brides.
Elizabeth has won many awards for her wedding photographs, portraiture and portrait albums. She has 14 Fuji Masterpiece awards, 5 Kodak Gallery awards and many Professional Photographers of America Loan Collection images. She was selected as a PPA ELITE member in 2014, one of only 26 members selected out of 27,000 for photographic excellence!
Trey manages the studio, computer systems, album design and designs all of the marketing pieces. Trey is also known as the "baby whisperer" and has a fantastic rapport with children of all ages.
Trey and Elizabeth have 3 young boys, one with special needs, which keep them busy. When they are not at home with their sons or working at the studio, they travel around the country giving seminars to other photographers. Elizabeth and Trey love what they do and hope to always be able to encourage others to get the most out of this wonderful profession!
