Natural Portraits

Chris & Milo

When I trained in New York as a photographer, we studied incredible photographers - one of my favourites being the work of Irving Penn. I love the timeless elegance of his work, the way he posed people, his lighting, his ability to bring the character of his subject to the forefront of his images.

Rosanna with Giorgio and Isola

It's something that even now, all these years later, I strive to do with my portraits of people. I like to capture the bond between people and pets or with children. Sometimes I will have to pose my subject but the ability to then put them at ease enough to capture a natural expression is key. It is more difficult to work with children who have been taught to always smile for the camera - I have to break through that as sometimes the portrait is so much better with a calm serious expression.

I have a couple of tricks for putting my subjects at ease which I honed many years ago and one of those tricks is to get to know my subject in as quick a time as possible in order to study the way they naturally stand or sit - what they naturally do with their hands or which way they tend to lean.

It's weird really, as my husband will tell you that I am the least observant person he's ever met however when it comes to someone I am to photograph, you can be sure, everything you do is noted and filed away for later use. That is, I think, what makes my portraits unique.

Nadine and Matt