learn about corrective techniques that you can employ to help photograph the subject at his best. In
addition, you will learn to identify the correct films, papers, and chemistry for various portraits. Printing
techniques to obtain optimum results will also be covered.
PART A - POSING THE SUBJECT
1.
Setting the Appointment.
Portrait sittings should be made by appointment. Using an appointment system gives you a good start
towards making a successful portrait. For one thing, it tells your subject that he is important enough to
get an appointment and that he will not be wasting his time waiting to get into the studio. This brings
the client to the studio with a positive attitude, and that's half the battle. An appointment also helps you.
When an appointment system is used, even for ID and passports, you know how much time you have to
work with each subject and you do not have to rush through a sitting because someone else is waiting.
Between appointments you have time to straighten up the studio, load film holders, complete job orders,
screen processed portrait film, and so on.
a. Timing Appointments. Appointments should be made so you have at least 15 minutes
between sittings. This way you have time to take care of little things that seem to come up and, if one
client is a few minutes late, time to catch up.
Appointments should be made for the convenience of the customer, but usually only during normal
working hours. Make sure that you consider the lunch period as normal working hours. There are
occasions, however, when a customer will want an appointment earlier or later than normal working
hours. This should be avoided if possible, but also remember that one of your primary duties is to
provide official photographic services. If an appointment outside of normal working hours is necessary,
it should not be just the duty man who shoots it. The regular trained portrait photographer should still
get the job.
b. Suggestions for Clients. When clients call for an appointment, suggest to them that they
come early in the day. Most people look their best and their clothes are fresher at this time of day. Men,
especially those who develop a heavy beard (five o'clock shadow) need to have their portraits made at
the beginning of the day. However, they should not shave and then come right in for the sitting. This
gives time for facial blemishes caused by shaving to disappear.
Men should have a haircut and look sharp, but the haircut should
be a day or two old. Uniforms should be pressed and well-fitted
2-2
SS0510
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