Martin

Galabov

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.