Portrait Photography for Business: Behind the Scenes with Barcelona Salon Owner

I arrived at Anthony Llobet’s salon while still recovering from a widespread stomach virus affecting Barcelona residents. Despite feeling light-headed and somewhat disconnected, I had a clear creative concept in mind—a significant advantage in portrait photography. When you’ve pre-visualized your image, the photographic process becomes more streamlined; you’ve essentially solved the creative puzzle in advance, leaving only technical execution and adapting your vision to the practical realities of the location.

Interestingly, Anthony had just recovered from the same illness, creating an unexpected connection between photographer and subject. His understanding of my condition—whether from genuine sympathy or his own lingering recovery effects—contributed to a relaxed atmosphere. Anyone who has experienced severe dehydration from such illnesses understands the peculiar mental clarity that sometimes follows, almost like a natural high that can occasionally enhance creative perception.

The session proved unexpectedly enjoyable despite my physical state. While I might have approached certain elements differently in retrospect, the overall results satisfied my creative objectives. My primary goal involved avoiding conventional business portraiture—those standard headshots that fail to capture the essence of creative professionals like hairstylists.

Instead, I envisioned Anthony positioned alongside a model while actively working with her hair, demonstrating his craft rather than simply posing for the camera. This approach creates more authentic marketing imagery for salon professionals, showing them engaged in their expertise rather than merely representing it.

The location we selected offered appealing symmetrical elements that I incorporated into the composition. However, the confined space presented significant technical challenges—a common issue when photographing in working business environments rather than dedicated studios. I found myself pressed against the back wall while attempting to include both subjects in the frame.

The articulating LED screen of my Olympus EM-5 proved invaluable in this situation, allowing me to compose accurately despite the awkward shooting position. This technical feature highlights how modern camera equipment can overcome environmental limitations in professional photography settings.

This portrait session demonstrates how effective business photography goes beyond simple documentation to showcase professionals actively engaged in their craft, creating more compelling marketing imagery that resonates with potential clients by illustrating expertise rather than merely claiming it.