503: Dorie Howell: Key to Capturing Genuine Connections in Portrait Photography

In this episode of the podcast, I chat with Dorie Howell, an insightful portrait photographer who has an amazing grasp on connecting with subjects emotionally. Dorie shares her journey from vocal performance to mastering the art of capturing meaningful moments with her camera.

THE BIG IDEAS

• Embrace Emotional Connection: Rather than just technical perfection, strive to capture the emotions and connections of your subjects, making your portraits more authentic and meaningful.
• Practice and Perseverance: Understand that photography skills develop over time. Be patient with yourself, practice frequently, and learn from every shoot.
• Constructive Feedback: Seek feedback from reputable sources and professionals to improve your skills. Avoid getting disheartened by non-constructive criticism, especially from unqualified sources.
• Cultural Sensitivity: Respect and adapt to the cultural differences of your clients to create a comfortable and trusting environment.

PHOTOGRAPHY ACTION PLAN

1. Practice Emotional Connection in Portraits: Schedule portrait sessions with friends or family, focusing on capturing their genuine emotions and connections. Review the images critically, identifying moments where emotions are most strongly conveyed.
2. Seek Constructive Feedback: Join a reputable photography forum or local photography group and share your work, explicitly asking for constructive feedback. Attend a workshop or seminar to get professional critiques on your photos and implement the suggestions.
3. Develop Cultural Sensitivity: Create a standardized questionnaire to understand your clients' cultural preferences and expectations. Research and read about the cultural practices and preferences relevant to your diverse client base to build rapport and respect.
4. Fine-Tune Technical Skills: Practice shooting in manual mode to gain confidence in controlling your camera settings. Experiment with off-camera flash in various lighting conditions and slowly familiarize yourself with equipment nuances.
5. Streamline Client Communication: Draft a concise yet informative initial email template for client inquiries, providing basic pricing and requesting specific needs. Conduct follow-up phone calls to build a better understanding of client desires and to establish a personal connection.

RESOURCES:
Visit Dorie Howell's Website - https://www.doriehowell.com/
Follow Dorie Howell on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thedoriehowell/

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