Photographing Executive Portraits Was More Fun Than I Expected

As a photographer, I'm always looking for new challenges and opportunities to push my skills to the next level. So when I was offered the chance to do some executive portraits for a couple of startups, I was intrigued and excited to take on the challenge.

I typically photograph sports and agriculture, using a raw documentary style that really captures the energy and emotion of the moment. But I was pleasantly surprised to find that I really enjoyed the process of doing executive portraits. It was a completely different type of photography, requiring a different approach and set of skills.

As I was working on the executive portraits, I realized that my love of photography, especially involving people, is all about connection. I love being able to capture the unique personalities and emotions of the people I photograph, and I think that's one of the things that drew me to portrait photography in the first place.

But I also realized that portrait photography is all about connecting with the subject on a deeper level. It's about building a rapport and understanding their story, and then using that connection to create meaningful, authentic images. It's a special kind of connection that I don't get with other types of photography, and it's something that really resonates with me.

Working with the leadership at these startups was a great experience. It was fascinating to hear about their vision for the future and the challenges they face in their roles. I found myself really getting into the mindset of a portrait photographer, thinking about how to capture the personalities and leadership styles of these individuals in a way that was authentic and genuine.

But I also learned that while executive portraits may seem cookie cutter and basic on the outside, there is still an intangible aspect that separates the mundane from the great photograph. Just like every form of photography, the key to creating meaningful and authentic images is building a connection with the subject. It's about creating a sense of comfort and rapport, which allows the subject to be themselves and really shine in the final image. Without that connection, the photographs can feel forced and artificial.

In the end, I was really happy with the results of the executive portrait sessions. It was a great opportunity to try something new and push myself creatively. And I have to admit, I'm now thinking about incorporating more portrait work into my business. It was a great surprise and I'm looking forward to the opportunity to do more in the future. So while executive portraits may have their own set of challenges and requirements, they are still an incredibly rewarding and fulfilling form of photography. It's all about finding that special connection and using it to create truly great images.

Here are some of the images I shot for my friends over at Woebot Health and Constant Therapy Health. Both companies are doing incredibly important work.