Portrait of an Artist: Professional Photography for Violinist and Suzuki Teacher Trainer Susan McDonald
Professional photography for Susan McDonald was a collaborative journey that was about more than capturing pretty photos: it was about unraveling the layers of a talented musician, violinist, and experienced pedagogue.
I recently had the pleasure of working with Susan McDonald, an incredibly talented violinist, teacher, and passionate Suzuki teacher trainer.
It was a collaborative journey that was about more than capturing pretty photos: it was about unraveling the layers of a talented musician, violinist, and experienced pedagogue.
Artist Portrait of Susan McDonald, photo by Henry David Photography
Photoshoot Planning
Although initially camera shy, Susan's innate love for music became the focal point of our work together.
When it comes to artist profiles and headshots, capturing the essence of the individual is crucial. This was Susan’s first professional photoshoot and she came in feeling more than a little nervous.
Feeling apprehensive about having your photos taken is completely normal. Part of my job as a professional photographer is to help my clients get feeling comfortable before we start taking photos.
Getting to know each other as fellow artists helped Susan relax, and our love for the musical arts set the tone for a relaxed photoshoot. This process started even before we met in the studio. Susan is a great communicator, and after she reached out by email we started to discuss what she was hoping to get out of the session.
She showed me references of musician portraits she liked, sent me a few selfies, and shared with me the headshots she was currently using. I appreciated that she was willing to openly share her insecurities and concerns, because it allowed us to be mindful of these aspects as we planned our photoshoot.
We spoke in detail on how we could improve upon her previous headshots at her session, what she could expect from the editing process that would come after the photoshoot, and how we would best collaboratively execute on her vision, going from concept, to studio, and finally into post-production.
Professional Hair & Makeup
Many people worry about looking too glamorous or not like themselves when they hire a professional makeup artist, and rightly so! Finding a balance between looking your best and still looking like you is really important for professional headshots. It's okay to look a better than usual, but it's not good if you look completely different.
Knowing Susan had this concern, I suggested she work with a makeup artist who understands the importance of keeping things looking authentic.
That's when Alexis B from AB Beauty STL came in. She did a great job with Susan's makeup and hair, making sure it looked just right and stayed true to Susan's genuine self.
Makeup Artist and Stylist Alexis B of AB Beauty STL, putting the final touches on Susan’s hair
Studio Photography
Moving in the studio, we took the time to work together, ensuring that every detail was perfect. We knew how important it was to create timeless images that Susan could use to promote herself as a musician and music educator.
Musician photography requires a unique approach. It's about capturing the artist's passion and talent in a visual medium. As a photographer, my goal was to showcase Susan's skills and dedication to her craft through the images we created together. As a photographer with a classical music background myself, I understood her audience and the messaging that would be resonate best with them.
Susan wanted to be sure we’d capture a range of photos and poses for diverse use cases. Our must-have list included a professional headshot, shots with and without the violin, a performance snapshot, and a full-body shot. We also wanted to capture a variety of vibrant outfit options.
“The collaborative conversation Susan and I shared allowed me to have a thorough understanding of her vision and helped us craft great results.”
Editing and Retouching
Reviewing Susan’s photos, I selected the shots that had the best expressions, those with a sparkle and drama that jumped off the screen and communicated something emotional with the viewer. I wanted to pick only the photos that would leave a lasting impression. A great photo isn’t just about high resolution and good lighting, it needs to connect with the viewer and tell a story about the subject.
Susan was delighted with her photos, even with out any editing. She then chose her favorite shots from among her proofing gallery and I went to work on editing.
We went back and forth with a few rounds of editing until we got each image perfect.
Communication is key: The collaborative conversation Susan and I shared allowed me to have a thorough understanding of her vision and helped us craft great results.
Our multiple rounds of editing allowed us to retouch the photographs to perfection, enhancing her features while keeping the authenticity intact.
Working with Susan McDonald was very artistically rewarding: we were able to capture her natural radiance and essence as a musician and create captivating, timeless images that will undoubtedly help her in her career as a violinist, teacher, and Suzuki teacher trainer.
Investing in professional photography is investing in your future as an artist. A well-crafted image has the power to convey your artistry and professionalism before you even step foot on stage. Take the time to find a photographer who can help bring your vision to life and create compelling images that represent you and your talent.