Authentic Portraits

An honest and personal book about creating better portraits and becoming your best self.

The most successful portraits take us well beyond the surface of how someone looks and show us the inner essence of who someone is. They reveal character, soul, and depth. They uncover hidden hopes and profound truths, revealing that authentic and deeply human light that shines within. And while technical expertise is undoubtedly important, it's not the light, camera, or pose that creates a great portrait. It's you, and it's the connection you create with the subject that makes all the difference.

In Authentic Portraits, photographer Chris Orwig teaches you that the secret to creating meaningful portraits is simple: curiosity, empathy, kindness, and soul…plus a bit of technique. While Chris spends significant time on the fundamentals of "getting the shot"-working with natural light, nailing focus, dialing in the correct exposure, effectively posing and directing the subject, intentionally composing the frame-he also passionately discusses the need for personal development, creative collaboration, and connection with the subject. Because who you are directly and deeply affects what you create, and it is only through cultivating your own inner light that you will be able to bring it out in your subjects.

Filled with instruction, insight, and inspiration, Authentic Portraits is an honest and personal book about creating better frames. It's also about becoming your best self. Take the journey, and you'll learn to find your vision and voice, bring intention to your photography and your life, embrace mystery, and understand the importance of gratitude and empathy. Along the way, you will teach the camera to see in a way that replicates how you feel, and you'll find you have all you need to create work of lasting significance.

TABLE OF CONTENTS Part 1: The Foundation of Authentic Portraiture 01: Authentic Portraits 02: Beneath the Surface 03: The Paradox of Portraiture 04: Harmony and Discord 05: Thread 06: The Search Part 2: The Art of Authentic Portraiture 07: Light and Soul 08: Invisible Light 09: Defining and Cultivating Soul 10: Silence 11: Wabi Sabi Part 3: Mastering Technique, Gear, and Light 12: Finding the Perfect Portrait Lens 13: Exposure Settings 14: Seven Principles of Natural Light 15: Working with Natural Light Part 4: The Sitter and the Subject 16: Finding Subjects 17: Finding and Approaching People You Want to Photograph 18: Pre-Shoot Prep 19: Preparing Yourself 20: Photograph People, Not Labels Part 5: Posing, Directing, and Connecting 21: Defining Your Directorial Style 22: Practical Posing Tips 23: Connecting with the Subject 24: Unlikely Inspiration for Connecting 25: The Four-Step Approach Part 6: Camera Work 26: Composition 27: This to That Part 7: Stepping Up Your Game 28: The Other Side of the Lens 29: Courage 30: Inner Art 31: Gratitude 32: FAQ 33: The Journey Ahead Thanks Image Details Index