Taking someone’s portrait is a bit like a game of dodgeball. In Swedish they call it “spökboll” or loosely translated to ghost ball. Whatever… but kind of good to know if you have the ambition of becoming a physical education teacher in Sweden, then people will feel like you know what you’re talking about.
I digress.
These two activities are very similar, except instead of trying to hit someone with a hard, stinging rubber orb as hard as I can, I’m trying to capture them in a photograph. This is quite a big difference, a stretch you might say. But the likeness between portrait photography and dodgeball is that almost everyone is a bit reluctant to be “hit by the ball” or photographed in this case.
My beautiful friend Susanne who is also a badass entrepreneur.
They squirm around, they make weird faces, they stop breathing sometimes. They sweat, they moan, they have occasionally run away from me, or hidden themselves away somewhere in an open landscape office.
Sometimes the best tactic in both dodgeball and portrait photography is the sneak attack. That way people like lovely Theresa here don’t always notice when the moment of truth arrives.
Our job as photographers is to take aim, be patient and wait for the right moment. It’s also my job to make these reluctant victims comfortable - in the face of imminent impact - and this can be a challenge.
The Silva family before the arrival of Milo, Matteo’s little brother.
Luckily though, I’ve been blessed with the gift of gab (thanks Mum and Dad). You might call me a Chatty Cathy. A blabbermouth. A “tjatkvarn”. In Swedish they call it “stressprata” but that translates to stress-talking and that’s not exactly what I mean. I’m not stressed. I just think it’s nice to get to know people a little. Find out what their favourite color is. If they have a pet, a partner, a passion that they like to talk about.
Maja works at Electrolux Home in Alingsås and is probably one of the kindest people I’ve ever photographed.
In the end I might come away with 50 photos where they are speaking or gesticulating or blinking while they explain things about themselves, but that’s okay. Because we work in digital format now and it’s actually possible to shoot thousands of frames for zero money. And if this means that photo number 51 is a relaxed, natural portrait of a person who otherwise hates to be photographed, then my job is well done.
Artur is now slightly bigger than this, and even more curious.
There is something to be said for silence, as well. Some people don’t like to talk. That’s okay too. I think it’s nice if you feel like you can be exactly who you are when I take your picture, because ultimately that’s what we’re after, isn’t it? A picture of YOU.
Emilie is a brilliant dancer and choreographer. There’s not enough space here to write about all her fabulousness.
So, if you’re in need of a headshot, a passport photo, a wedding portrait, a family portrait, a cat portrait, a team photo, a class photo, a resume photo or you just want to practice being “hit by the ball” please reach out and book a time for a chat.
EVERYONE can be photographed. I truly believe that, and I love meeting new faces and bringing out the best in those faces. Also, meeting the humans attached to those faces is also really nice, and I hope I get to meet you soon.
Malin Granat som driver Eventolution och är en av dom mest drivna människor jag känner.