16 Comments
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Katty's avatar

Beautiful portraits indeed, not the usual stuff.

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Rania Rönntoft's avatar

Oh thank you so much 🙏🏽✨️

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Lin Gregory's avatar

This is a lovely series of portraits Rania, beautifully lit and you can tell she was fully engaged with you.

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Rania Rönntoft's avatar

Thank you Lin!

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Stillness in Focus's avatar

What a great idea with the mirror! You managed to capture several keepers. I like taking portraits but don’t get to do it very often. I always feel rushed and like I’m annoying the person I’m photographing.

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Rania Rönntoft's avatar

I Love using mirrors! If I have the chance to use one, I will! Hm I understand that feeling, I certainly felt that way too when I was starting out. It gets better with experience. And remember, if you have asked them and they have said yes, they Are okay with it and you can relax. If we photographers seem tense or stressed, they will pick up on it and mirror the feeling. Try to have fun!

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Stillness in Focus's avatar

Great advice, thank you!

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Rania Rönntoft's avatar

You're welcome, and good luck!

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Raf Lopes's avatar

This feel so special! When you mentioned dimly lit hotel everything changed to me. I was picturing a hotel conference room with cold lights, AV equipment, and modern looking stuff. When I saw the first picture I was “WOW”, ok, f1.2 to the rescue. Job well done Rania! Right people at the right time at the right location with the right lens!

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Rania Rönntoft's avatar

Thanks Raf! This hotel is actually stunning, it’s such an old, preserved building. It’s from 1891! Isn’t that crazy? So yeah, stunning environment to shoot it, but very dark. F1.2 is a life saver! Thanks again, very happy with these :)

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Erik Hogan's avatar

These are excellent, Rania! I really like your concept of photographing the person inside of the body. I believe that is a much tougher challenge than it sounds. I have taken candid photos of people on occasion, but have never done a portrait shoot. Now, I likely have 2 portrait sessions coming up in April. It is a bit nerve wracking, but this post has been very helpful. Thank you!

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Rania Rönntoft's avatar

Thank you Erik! It really depends on the person, with her it wasn’t much of a challenge at all, which was refreshing. With others it truly is. How fun that you have two sessions coming up! My main tip would be to focus on being open, social and chatty. Have fun and ask them to move a lot. No one knows what to do if they are just standing / sitting still in a pose for too long. I wish you luck!!

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Erik Hogan's avatar

Being social and chatty is a challenge for me, but I know both of these people, so I think that part will be ok. Asking them to move a lot is a great tip! I will definitely use that!

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Rania Rönntoft's avatar

Ah then it's good that you know them! And I mean, being social and chatty has always been my way of getting the model to relax - we are all different and will find our own ways that work for us. I am sure you will find yours! But yeah movement is great :D

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sarah's avatar

these are stunning!!

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Rania Rönntoft's avatar

Thank you so much!

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