Portrait Photography Johannesburg: What To Expect
You do not need to know what to do
Most people who come to my Johannesburg studio are not used to being photographed.
They wonder whether they will feel awkward.
Whether they will know where to stand.
What to do with their hands.
What to wear.
And whether the photographs will actually look like them.
You do not need to arrive knowing any of those things.
I have been photographing people since 2005. My job is not simply to make the photograph. It is to guide you through making it.
You simply need to arrive.
What makes a professional portrait different
A good camera and good lighting are only part of making a portrait.
The photographer also needs to know how to work with the person standing in front of the camera.
How to position a body.
Where to place hands.
How small changes in posture affect a photograph.
How light changes a face.
And when to stop directing and make the photograph.
You are not expected to know any of this.
That is my job.
What happens in the studio
My portrait sessions take place in my studio in Blairgowrie, Randburg.
I work simply, usually with one light and a black background.
There are few props and very little to distract from the person being photographed.
When you arrive, there is time to put your things down and settle in before we begin.
From there, I guide you throughout the session.
View the portrait experience →
Do I need to know how to pose?
No.
I will tell you where to stand or sit, where to look and what to do with your hands.
I will adjust shoulders, posture and small details that make a difference in a photograph.
Sometimes I will ask you to move slightly.
Sometimes I will make the adjustment myself.
And sometimes the best thing to do is very little.
You do not need to practise before you come.
Knowing what to do is my job, not yours.
What should I wear?
Keep it simple.
I often suggest starting with black, particularly for individual portraits. Neutral colours also photograph well.
Avoid large logos, graphics and clothing that will compete with your face.
Texture usually works better than busy pattern, and clothes should be in good condition — particularly around necklines, cuffs and shoulders.
You do not need to buy anything new for your portrait session.
My general wardrobe guide will help you decide what to bring.
What to wear for your portrait session →
What happens during the session?
I direct the session from beginning to end.
We make photographs, look at what is working and make small changes as we go.
There is no expectation that you perform for the camera.
Different portrait sessions need different things. A headshot is not photographed in exactly the same way as a family, a newborn or a portrait of a woman on her own.
But the way I work remains much the same.
Simple lighting.
Careful direction.
Attention to the small things.
And enough time to make the photographs properly.
How portrait sessions are priced
Portrait sessions are booked with a session fee and a portrait collection.
The session fee covers the photography session.
Your collection determines how many finished portraits are included.
There are three collections:
Foundation — for a smaller selection of finished portraits.
Signature — more photographs and combinations from the session.
Legacy — for a fuller record of the people and photographs made.
The number of portraits and pricing vary according to the type of session, so you will find the full details on the relevant Portrait Experience page.
Explore the portrait experience →
You know what you are booking before your session.
What happens after the session?
You choose the photographs you would like me to finish.
I retouch each selected portrait individually. The purpose of retouching is not to make you look like somebody else. It is to finish the photograph properly while keeping the things that make you recognisably you.
Your portraits are supplied as finished digital files, and there are also options for prints, framed portraits and albums.
View portrait finishes →
Ready when you are
You do not need to know how to pose.
You do not need to know what will photograph well.
And you do not need to arrive feeling comfortable in front of a camera.
I will take care of that part.
You simply need to arrive.
JOHANNESBURG PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHER
One Moment. One Portrait. Forever
© 2005–2026 Bridget Corke Photography
Blairgowrie · Johannesburg · South Africa
International Master's in Portrait Photography
One of only two in Africa.