My Portrait Philosophy

Steve Payne has been photographing people for over twenty years. In fact before he was a photographer, he was drawing portraits in school. “Art was my favorite class in school, and I’ve always been fascinated by people’s faces, gestures and movements. I’m always watching people. In fact the photographs that I’ve seen, but haven’t been able to capture would make an incredible body of work.”

Steve’s abilities working with children are well known. “Children can be the most difficult of subjects, but for me the challenge is always exciting and the reward of a truthful and special moment captured is always worth the effort.” That’s not to say things always work out. “My philosophy of not trying to strictly control children during a photography session; letting them be themselves, is the only way I can get the types of images that bring clients to me in the first place. Yet, it can occasionally backfire and we have to do it again.”

A Steve Payne portrait tends to be a very simple composition, focusing more on the emotion and spontaneity of the moment than on the setting. “I’m much more interested in an honest moment, than an elaborate background or location.” So, most of the portraits are done in the studio with a rather simple lighting setup. “I LOVE beautiful lighting and the lighting that I see in nature is unmatched. But, to try and match appointments, to when the lighting is right is next to impossible. When I first started out, I did a lot of location work and it almost put me out of business. There was rarely a session that wasn’t canceled due to weather. It was a nightmare.”

Steve Payne Photography has led the way into the world of digital imaging and is using digital on every assignment. “I have been interested in digital photography since the very beginning. It represents almost as big an impact as the development of photography itself. To me, it means that I finally have the control over my images that I’ve always wanted. The photographs shown in our portfolios have been produced in our digital darkroom. I’ve regained a passion for printmaking that I had lost because of the control I had to give up to outside services. Now, if I’m unhappy with a print there’s no one to blame but myself.”

The one part of the process that is out of the photographer’s control is how the subject feels about themselves. “When I first started out, I would be crushed if someone didn’t like their portrait. Then I realized that some people will never like their portrait. But, that doesn’t stop me from trying to make them LOVE their portrait. It’s always a challenge, that’s why I’ve never grown tired of it.”

Let us make your very own “Simply Beautiful Portraits” today.
Call 304-343-7254 for more information.