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I Am A Berlin-Based Photographer, And Here Are Some Of The Craziest Portraits I’ve Done (20 Pics)
My name is Guillaume Prugniel, I'm a Berlin-based photographer and videographer. Here are some of the craziest portraits I've done!
I started by doing self-portraits, because I had ideas in the middle of the night, and it was a great way to learn about studio lights and how to use them properly. And I did not want to wait a few days to get the right friend coming over to be the model.
Then, as I understood better how to shape light, it was time to call some friends and get them in front of the camera.
Making a portrait is a great way to connect with someone. For me, it is much more than just pressing the camera shutter, and the work toward the image begins with a relaxed conversation, a cup of coffee, and taking the time to tune in together. Many of the models you see here have little to no prior experience in modeling. Some of them I even met for the first time 15 minutes before the photoshoot! It's my job to make them feel great and to guide them so they look amazing.
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Jonathan was the first, we didn't have a plan but a bunch of accessories and tools, so we improvised. He became a mariner, we blew many bubbles, to the point the floor became slippery.
Then, the process became more planned upfront. Every day, hundreds of photo ideas are flowing through my mind. Much more than I can use! But I'm taking notes, until I combine some seemingly unrelated ideas, to make something unexpected and with a bit of humor.
Painted Painter - With Maria
Lost In The Bubble Sea - With Jonathan
In the few photos with a lot of things flying around, such as bubbles, flowers, and money bills, I have to use a little bit of Photoshop, since it is barely possible to control where the objects are falling. Everything is still shot on camera, we throw, for instance, the flowers many times, and I then merge several photos together, to have the right expression and the right amount of objects in the right place. Besides that, everything really exists.
Even with planning, there is a part of randomness in the process. For instance, once, I worked with Elli and her dogs. She was holding a small glass containing water, and as she held the chihuahua, he started drinking from the glass, looking straight into the camera. She had the best reaction, and I had a few seconds to press the shutter. After that, the dog stopped!
King Of Box - With Iven
From time to time, I build a small set - again, it all exists right in front of the camera. You can see two of them here. It usually gets wrapped up within 24 hours. This process is enjoyable, and when I transfer the photos on the computer, I know there will be very little to post process. Mostly, I refine the contrasts, and the saturation, the picture needs to pop!
