Taking Portraits of People

I don't take a lot of photos of people, but I do enjoy taking photos of special people in my life. (This is distinct from photos of strangers, of which I have a growing collection, too.) This morning I started going through some of my favorite portraits--both posed and candid--and thinking about what makes them special to me. I think the main emotion I try to express in the images of people that I create is a sense of connection. Sometimes the connection is with the photographer; at other times, another person, animal, or an object is the focus of connection. I'm hoping to become a better portraiture photographer in the coming years. Until then, here are some of my favorites:


Bryan, With Reflection (2008)
Camera: Holga CFN
Film: Classic Pan 400


My Mother and Her Doll, II (2007)
Camera: Holga CFN
Film: Classic Pan 400


Daisy & Charlie (2010)
Camera: Olympus e-300 DSLR


Sri Sri Ravi Shankar (2003)
Camera: Olympus APS
Film: Kodak APS 800


Alex on her Rooftop (2009)
Camera: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX150


Ben Gets An Ice Cream From the Ice Cream (Wo)Man (2009)
Camera: Polaroid Sx-70 Alpha 1, Model 2
Film: Polaroid 600 *expired* + ND filter