What Makes a Good Reference Photo for a Portrait
You do not need a studio shoot. You need a moment that feels true, and enough light for me to read the face.
People often worry their photos are not good enough for a portrait commission. I understand that. But some of my favourite pieces began with an ordinary phone photo: a laugh mid-conversation, someone staring out of a window, a quiet second no one thought to stage.
What I am looking for is not perfection. It is presence. The kind of expression you recognise instantly, even in a blurry image.
What helps me most
- Natural light on the face; window light is ideal
- Sharp focus on the eyes, even if the rest is soft
- A range of tones, not flat flash lighting
- More than one angle, if you have them
- An expression that feels real, not posed for the camera
Heavy filters, very low resolution, or one tiny cropped selfie make things harder. If you only have one old photograph, send it anyway. We can talk about what is possible.
Trust the process
For commissions I often work from two or three references: one for structure, one for expression, maybe one for hands or posture. The goal is never to copy a photograph line for line. The goal is to draw the person you know when the piece is finished, and for you to feel something when you look at it.