How To Come Up With A Conceptual Portrait Idea
Classic portraits are gorgeous. They’re the common thing that everyone expects you to capture. Many families have that classic, framed print on their wall showcasing the group. It’s lovely, but what if you don’t want that? Instead, you want something quirky, fun, creative, or just different? This is where conceptual portraits come in! The limits are endless – you’ve got so many possibilities. And that’s intimidating for some. Where do you start? How do you find an idea that makes you scream, “That’s it!” when you see it?
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I come up with at least one conceptual portrait shoot a month just for me. My goal is to find concepts that challenge, force me to learn, and push my photography skillset to the next level. And I always get asked, “How did you come up with that idea?” So if you want to know how I come up with ideas for my conceptual portrait sessions so we can work together, or you can experiment on your own, I’ve broken down my process below!
Where To Get Ideas For Conceptual Portraits
Starting is the scary part. You’re staring at a blank page, and it’s so ominous! Don’t worry – coming up with a concept is actually pretty easy. I’ve compiled a list of starting points for inspiration, but I’ve got some other methods, too:
What Colors Are You obsessed with lately?
I know, I know—this is pretty silly, but it works! One of my favorite portrait photographers did a shoot with green tones, and it was awesome. I ran with it but went with the color red—the model wore a red dress with red lipstick; we used a red background and even added some red-colored lights. It was awesome. The key point here is not to be afraid of starting with something as simple as your favorite color.
Did You Love A Recent Book, Movie, Show, Or Meme?
We consume all kinds of content throughout the day. At some point, you thought, “Hey, wouldn’t that be cool if…? This could be recreating a Dom Draper smoking scene or dressing up as your favorite anime villain. You could also work off a show’s theme like Dirty Jobs and create a portrait highlighting your 9-5 grind. I once crafted a conceptual portrait based on a dramatic reading I attended of Edgar Allan Poe’s The Raven.
Did Some Song Lyrics Make You Feel Something?
Can I tell you how long I’ve wanted to do a shoot based on Miley Cyrus’s Flowers, which describes a little revenge but also doing couples activities solo? Don’t get me started on somebody drinking in inappropriate situations because it’s so damn dull (or from their casket) after listening to S.O.B. by Nathaniel Ratliff and The Night Sweats (I also have a twisted sense of humor, which helps me a lot). If a song made you feel something strongly, that’s a great inspiration for a conceptual portrait.
Classic Art, Stories, Or Mythology You Observed
Norse gods, Chinese folklore, and Dali’s “The Persistence of Memory“ are all rich in story and messages. My brain goes into overdrive when I observe artwork like that. Try to build a portrait based exactly on a piece of art or take the teachings of a story and apply them to a situation of your own—you have lots of options.
Any Funky Dreams Recently?
Concepts based on dreams are challenging for me because I don’t remember my dreams. But if you’re one of those who can recall the crazy chase you pulled off while wearing scuba flippers and a tutu on a city sidewalk while dodging flying cactuses (a friend of mine provided this example), you’ve got a concept to build a portrait. Not everyone’s portraits are that wild, and that’s okay. Sometimes, we dream about past events, which are lovely source material. Working through a dream that’s been bugging you can be cathartic by creating a portrait of the situation. Or let’s do the flying cacti one – that sounds like fun.
An Article Of Clothing
Walking through consignment and antique stores is an excellent way to get inspiration for conceptual portraits. I once saw a petticoat, which immediately made me think of Victorian dresses, which led to a conceptual shoot of a gal dressed like she was attending a ball at the Versailles Palace. You could have a suit that makes you feel like James Bond – build a concept based around that suit and feel like a badass secret agent. How about a scarf or shawl? You could develop a concept around blowing wind and floating. Your closet is a treasure trove of ideas.
Find A Current Event Or Social Issue
Sometimes, the world around us provides enough inspiration for a conceptual portrait. I had/have very strong feelings about the Supreme Court overturning Roe vs. Wade, which led to a concept that haunted me until I wrote it down and figured out how I’d pull it off (I still haven’t done the shoot itself, though, because my very Catholic Aunt would disown me if she saw it). Take things you care about in the world and use them as inspiration. Political, societal, or even familial – it doesn’t matter the size of the event or issue; if it makes you feel strongly, it might make for a great portrait concept.
Use Your Personal Objects & Memories
Similar to an article of clothing, if you have a personal item with some sentimental value at home, you can build a concept around that. I have an old football-shaped sofa arm coaster from my grandfather. I want to build a shoot around a grandfather and his grandson watching a football game with popcorn flying as their team scores a touchdown on the TV screen because I never got to do that with my grandfather. Find a happy memory, a sad memory, or a memory you want to re-write – these are all terrific sources of inspiration for your conceptual portrait.
How Have You Been Feeling Lately?
Things were tough at my day job for a few months, and I was thinking a lot about how I had to wear a different face for clients because they deserve a great experience even if I wasn’t satisfied with my role. I started thinking about the masks we wear to get through days we don’t want to participate. This led to a conceptual portrait shoot focused on masks. That concept came from my thoughts and feelings. It may be painful and uncomfortable to do that self-analysis, and possibly even more awkward to talk about it with a photographer, but damn, did I feel better after completing that mask shoot. Your concept can be based on happy feelings, too! You can take what you’ve been experiencing lately and use that as inspiration. What have you been noodling on? What’s a consistent theme in your journals? What’s a significant milestone that you’re feeling fantastic about achieving? Use it!
How to Develop Your Conceptual Portrait
1. Define Your Vision
Start by clarifying the type of portrait concept you want. Then, consider factors like theme, mood, style, or any specific elements you want to incorporate. For example, I like conceptual portrait ideas based on food when shooting in November because of Thanksgiving.
2. Keyword Brainstorming
Create a list of keywords related to your vision. Think about characteristics, emotions, or objects that align with your concept. For example, if you’re seeking a mystical portrait, keywords like “enchanted,” “mysterious,” or “fantasy” can be helpful.
3. Do An Image Search For Conceptual Portrait Themes
Enter your keywords into your preferred search engine and browse the results. Take note of the images that resonate with your concept and capture your attention. Pay attention to lighting, composition, poses, and any other elements that inspire you. This is a perfect opportunity to go down a rabbit hole. Your concept may change here, and that’s okay!
Where To Perform An Image Search For Conceptual Portraits
7. Save And Organize
As you come across inspiring images, save them to a dedicated folder to organize your findings. This allows you to refer back to them easily during the creative process. I like Pinterest because I can create a new Board for each concept I’m working on. Pinterest is also great because it will recognize a pattern and suggest similar images to develop your concept further!
8. Analyze And Adapt Your Concept
Once you have a collection of inspiring images, analyze them. Look for common elements, techniques, or styles that you find appealing. Then, adapt and integrate these aspects into your own unique concept, adding your personal touch and creativity.
9. Respect Copyright and IP
Remember, while searching for inspiration, respecting copyright and intellectual property is crucial. Use the images you find as a reference point for creating your own unique concept rather than copying someone else’s work.
10. Share With Your Collaborators
After you’ve refined the conceptual portrait inspiration images, share the folder or Pinterest Board with your photographer, the makeup artist, and anyone else who may contribute to crafting the images. This gets everyone on the same page easily, so you have a shared vision and goal regarding the session.
11. Bonus – Constraints For Your Conceptual Portrait
If you’re a photographer and want an extra challenge, create a concept by starting with a constraint. I love doing this for my concepts because it makes me think of alternate ways to get the final image I want to capture. It’ll also prepare you for client sessions where real-world situations may arise that don’t allow you to work as you usually would.
Constraints To Try
- Wide angle lens only
- Natural light only
- One flash only
- Only shutter speeds slower than 1/5
- Camera position one foot from the ground
- Backlight only
- Red tones only
12. Ask Your Photographer For Help
If you need help figuring out where to start or have so many ideas that you can’t decide which to pursue, talk to your photographer! You don’t have to start with an idea in mind. Instead, you can work with your photographer to develop a creative portrait concept. The benefit of this approach is that your photographer will help you figure out what’s possible from a logistical standpoint. They’ll also bring in their experience to provide helpful suggestions, including where to find props or pieces you may need to bring your vision to life!
Conclusion:
Using this step-by-step guide, you’re equipped with effective techniques and valuable resources to inspire your photography journey. Remember, while seeking inspiration, always respect copyright and intellectual property rights. Let these concepts fuel your imagination as you develop your own artistic vision. Unleash your creativity, and capture breathtaking portraits that tell compelling visual stories.
