Martin

Galabov

The early years of life are a fleeting and magical time marked by wonder, innocence, and joy. As children grow and develop at a rapid pace, these priceless moments often pass us by unnoticed. However, with the power of fine art portrait photography, we can preserve these cherished moments and create enduring works of art that encapsulate the essence and beauty of childhood.

The early years of life are a fleeting and magical time marked by wonder, innocence, and joy, where children often form special bonds with their beloved pets. As children grow and develop at a rapid pace, these priceless moments spent playing, cuddling, and exploring with their furry friends can easily slip away unnoticed. With the power of fine art portrait photography, we can preserve these adorable moments and create enduring works of art that encapsulate the essence and beauty of childhood and the special connection between kids and their pets.

I approach fine art portrait photography as a way of creating magic, transforming the everyday into a painterly moment that captures the spirit of a person. The resulting portraits are an art form all their own, capturing a person at their best and offering a glimpse of something more.

Every bride deserves to be celebrated in a beautiful portrait. I love the opportunity to capture the private side of a wedding. I used natural light to give it a timeless, painterly look.

When I take phots of children, I have the opportunity to capture authentic moments as they unfold, without staging scenes or "getting into character." My goal is to allow my subjects to express themselves in an honest, natural way.

Lighting is what gives a photo its depth, dimension, and mood. It's what makes it more than just a flat picture: it gives it life. And the best way to get that kind of lighting is to use natural light—and in particular, indirect natural light.

Photo portraits are a sort of theatrical magic.
The trick is to recognize that you are not just making a photograph, but you're also making a character and a story. The photographer is the director, the subject is an actor, and the audience is the viewer.

Portraits are about the person in front of the camera, which is why I love doing them. A photo can tell you a story about a person, but a portrait can let you see who that person really is. It's like saying "I'm proud of who I am," and showing the world who they are.

Make a painterly photo portrait with this easy technique. Use model, window, and backdrop to create an impressionist-like look that’s fun and shows off your favorite color combinations.

A good portrait should be able to tell the story of a subject, and help the viewer understand what it's like to be inside that person's mind. Whether you're the photographer or the model, understanding how light works will help you achieve that goal.

As the saying goes, the eyes are the window to the soul. It's the eyes, more than any other part of the image, which convey, captivate and make us feel a connection with the model and this portrait of Rita shows just that.

Portraiture as an art form goes back at least to ancient Egypt about 5,000 years ago. Before the invention of photography, a painted, sculpted, or drawn portrait was the only way to record the appearance of someone. I look for inspiration in Old Masters paintings to light modern subjects using natural light.

I shot this portrait of Zhenya at the end of a mother-and-daughter photoshoot. We hadn't planned a solo portrait but when you see a good photo opportunity you just capture it. I love the light in this picture. My work is inspired by Renaissance and Rembrandt paintings. Often my lighting style reflects this.

In this portrait I wanted an Old Masters vibe with a modern day subject. My photography is inspired by Renaissance and Rembrandt paintings. The lighting and editing style I use will often reflect that look as in this photo of Margo in Dubai.

The important thing to remember is that people want photos that will empower them, portraits that they and their entire community will love.
In order to do that, the photos must show both beauty and personality. They must tell a story and evoke emotion. And it's OK that most people aren’t professional models and are not comfortable in front of the camera. With this understanding and a bit of guidance on the part of the photographer, a photoshoot can feel comfortable and natural, empowering the subject to show their true self. That's what makes the portrait look natural and real. It's magic.

How can I achieve the painterly look? That's one of the questions I hear often. For me, it starts with light. Natural light. In this portrait a mid-sized window gives a soft, indirect light to the model's face. It helps create shadows from the side that create a sense of painterly depth and dimension.