Engage To Reveal

 

Catching any old expression is pretty easy, but catching the right expression takes time. Time for the subject to show themselves and usually time to make several exposures.  Expressions tell stories, and stories tell you something about that particular person. The photographer can control the circumstance, guide the emotion and basically be in control, but he can't do it alone. Good expressions can't be made unless the subject feels something…some kind of emotion. It's the photographers job to bring them to that point, either with words, mood or some other means.

At a typical photo session, it's the subjects inclination to sit on a stool and beam. The reason is because this is what they've always been told to do, and this is just like the expressions they see hanging on their wall of family photos. Fake smiles can be spotted easily which is why it's important that any smile be a genuine smile.

I've found that usually the eyes are what tells the story. Whether it's a blank stare that gives the impression the subjects mind is somewhere else, or a glare that has trouble deciding if it's angered, tired or both. If it's moving or even a little bit disturbing, you've most likely captured something. 

But none of this can happen without some sort of engagement…some sort of relationship between photographer and subject. The photographer has to get their subject to peel back just enough layers to reveal something unique.