Top Portrait Photographer skills needed to get the job.

What are the top 3 traits or skills every Portrait Photographer must have to excel?

Can you suggest any tips or insights to develop your Portrait Photographer expertise?

1) define excel for yourself - is it to make lots of money? or is it to create beautiful art? is it to create photos that are loved by the subject? or is it something else?

2) while many of the points in number one are not mutually exclusive, they do not always lie down the same path. If your goal is to make a lot of money - that is easy make that your numebr one goal, allowing nothing to get in your way. Of course this can lead to some unhappyness, because some of the highest pay does not always go to the most honest, or most artistic or most capable photographer. It goes to the photographer who convinces those with money that they(the photographer) will get them the photo they want if only they (the person with money) will give said photographer enough money, then supplying the minimal amout of work to keep the client happy. You can apply this type of rule to any goal you set. Good luck!

3) Get to know people, decide who or what people you want to work with or more than likely who yo do not wish to work with. Find out how to make them comfortable with you and the camera. find out what they are looking for, and go to work.

Every portrait photographer really needs get along well with people. Anyone can take a picture in a studio, but to capture that person, in their comfort zone, takes patience and the ability to get your subject relax. This really shows in your photography too... In my mind, the best portrait photographers don't create the portrait but capture something that is already happening. One of the best tips I can share is to take your camera everywhere.. take lots of photos of people and develop your style from there. I am a fort myers photographer with leapyearphoto.com - I hope this helps!