january 2007 - Professional Photographer Magazine

PORTRAITURE
kind of other artwork on display to help
clarify the goal for both of you.
Consider how certain backdrops or
props can reflect your client’s style. Today
we have an endless variety of backgrounds,
from realistic to fantastical. I found a good
niche market about 10 years ago in using
scenic backgrounds and set designs in
additional to my traditional sets. Be careful
not to let props or backdrops undermine
the emphasis on the subject. Rely on the
client’s body language and expressions to
tell the story.
The one thing that has not changed is
the value of learning to light. Understand
the effects of the direction, quality and
amount of light on the overall portrait. Use
lighting to direct the eye, not merely to
illuminate the scene.
I don’t embrace every trend that comes
along, but my work does reflect changing
styles. I still believe that the face should be
the first thing you see in a portrait, that
everything else in the frame should enhance
the face without detracting.
88 • www.ppmag.com
Create something that reflects a
particular client’s tastes and you’ll more easily
achieve your sales goals and be rewarded with
repeat business and happy clients. Your
business success over time is a reflection of
individual client’s satisfaction, multiplied
many times over the years. ■
Jeff Lubin is a well-known children’s
portraitist based in Washington, D.C. His
clients include baseball icon Cal Ripkin, Bob
Johnson, CEO of Black Entertainment
Television, former Vice President Dan
Quayle, exercise celebrity Denise Austin and
TV’s “Wonder Woman,” Lynda Carter.