What are authentic portraits?

Authentic portraits are defined slightly differently from photographer to photographer. Some simply define this type of portrait photography as capturing people as they are at the time they're being photographed. Others approach authentic portraits as a collaborative effort between both the photographer and client, with the photographer taking time to learn about their client and what makes them unique, in order to build a photography session around what will encourage the client to feel most like themselves.


In his book "Authentic Portraits: Searching For Soul, Significance, And Depth,"(1) Chris Orwig discusses the photographer's role in capturing authentic portraits as an exercise in empathy in order to see beyond the surface of how someone looks, and instead capture the essence of who someone is.


I see validity in all of these definitions. While I see the merits of studio-style portraits and I can understand why someone would gravitate to the aesthetics of posed portraits, I can say that even in my first year as a photographer I have seen absolute magic happen when I've encouraged clients to just be themselves during their portrait sessions.


“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”

― Oscar Wilde


There is a moment that happens in every portrait session when I can see the turning point of when my clients become truly themselves. Sometimes it happens within the first few minutes and all it took was a little joke to break the ice. Other times it happens further into a session, when a prompt I've suggested really resonates and I can see the mood shift. The biggest compliment I've heard is "I forgot you were there for a second!"


That's how I see authenticity. Of course I will encourage you to wear clothes that make you feel like yourself—no need to shop for uncomfortable outfits all in the name of aesthetics. And I will encourage you to pick settings that mean something to you, such as at-home sessions where your children are safely in their own spaces or places you've been on dates with your significant other. But I believe a key ingredient of authentic portraits is finding opportunities to step back and allow you to just enjoy the moment you're in.


This principle guides my work for every session, from pop-up mini sessions to multi-hour events. It's why I named my photography business "This Moment Portraits" too. Your portrait session is a moment that is real, precious, and it's something I want you to be able to look back on with positive emotions. AI cannot recreate these real moments that you are experiencing, and no amount of retouching or editing will change the fact that you are present in the moment I'm capturing.


You and your lived experiences are unique and irreplaceable. This defines every decision I make around my business and my art. I approach every portrait session with this ethos in mind, and the rest falls into place easily.


I believe that you deserve to enjoy your special moments in front of the camera, that you deserve to truly live in it and soak it all in. That's authenticity. If the moment prompted you to dance and laugh with your loved ones, that's a real moment. If you felt nostalgic and it brought tears to your eyes, those were real emotions. Your true presence in the moment is your authenticity.


My job is to notice it, capture it, and the beautiful photographs will follow.


It's a superpower

I've been told by clients that they were worried I couldn't get their family members to smile genuinely, thrilled when they saw their galleries that I was able to make it happen. I've heard some clients express concern that their session would feel awkward, then tell me later that they ended up feeling like it was an enjoyable date with their s.o. instead of a photo sesh.


These are common concerns, and I'm fully embracing what feels like a superpower that I'm able to navigate those concerns as a photographer. As my photography business grows, I plan on leaning into this in order to provide an unforgettable service with astonishingly beautiful portraits to match.


I hope you'll follow me on this journey as I continue growing not just my portrait photography business, but also my voice as a creative within the photography space.


  1. Orwig, C. (2019). Authentic Portraits: Searching For Soul, Significance, And Depth. Rocky Nook.