I’m not going to lie, when I saw what Ritva had set for us for this week’s challenge, I was bummed. I hate photographing people. I think I always have. It is something about the personal nature of it, or something, but have never felt comfortable doing it.
Then when she said “I know I am asking a lot; many shy away from portraits, but we all take photos of people, so why not take a moment to think about how to get more out of them?” I thought we don’t all take photos of people. In fact, I’ve spent the last 10 years trying to make sure there are never people in my photos. I don’t even do street photography anymore.
So how do I do a challenge like this? First of all, I won’t be doing a self portrait, I’m not comfortable doing them.
My first thought was animals, I will show some photos of the animals and birds I’ve photographed at the zoo. So here are some of those.
Then I put in people to my WP archives and some street photos come up. So I thought I can show some of those.
I have done portraits in the past, but they were taken over 10 years ago, so the portraits of the girls here were taken that long ago. I also found some paintings of people or things from graffiti and thought these look like portraits, so here they are.
I get an ick feeling in my stomach when I have to do portraits. Just not something I feel comfortable doing so have chosen not to. So whenever a challenge for people comes up, I end up using the same photos over and over. So you have probably all seen these before, and sadly you will probably see them again. Or maybe I just need to stop doing the challenges that involved people, lol. 
I want to thank Ritva for being our host this week and would recommend you all go to look at the incredible portraits that she has posted. I also know this challenge is great for many people, just not me.
If you would like to participate in this great challenge then go to the following link to find out how to join the Lens-Artists Challenge, click here for more info. Don’t forget to put a link in your post back to the host.
I understand you, Leanne, but your people portraits are still lovely. The animal ones are really fun and cool!
Thank you Ann-Christine, funny how many of us said that about doing portraits, yet everyone posted great images.
Oh I get it, Leanne. I’ve done portraits, but never found it especially satisfying. Mostly because I was never that comfortable with posing and getting my clients to relax and be themselves. And then I spent too much time worrying about whether they would like the photos. Anyway. I love the collection you posted. There’s something about that girl with the blond hair and the tiny sparkle of blue-green eye staring at you. Well done.
I am with you all the way with this, I don’t find it easy. That is it for me, I worry too if they will like them and I’m never happy with them, so then I get embarrassed to show them. Thank you so much.
Great photos Leanne. Animals, people, murals. I like ’em all.
That’s great, thank you John.
Well Leanne, others may have seen them but I hadn’t so I’m glad you repeated! The animals are fun and very well done. You don’t give yourself enough credit on the people portraits. Every one of the female portraits is terrific! I especially love the girl with the long blonde hair.
Thank you Tina, as I’ve said I think I am just not comfortable doing them. I think it is different taking photos for people than just doing them for yourself. I mean if you take photos of others they still want to see them, I never liked that.
In a way it’s a shame you don’t like photographing people as those older images show that you can clearly take great portraits and street shots! But we all have our strengths and our preferences (and wouldn’t the blogging world be duller if we didn’t?!) In any case, your animal portraits are also excellent
Thank you Sarah, I think I was so stressed that people wouldn’t like them, or I just thought they were crap, so I just hated it. We do, I like other types of photography better, and you don’t have to worry about people being prepared to let you take their photo. Absolutely, I will leave the portraits to those that like doing them.
Leanne – I think your portraits are marvelous! Your animal pics of course but some of your b&W pics and the graffiti speak to me. Everyday scenes, signs, graffiti are my thing too!
My post featured people portraits but I guess you can extend that to including animals and street scenes of which I have plenty. Maybe next time.
Thank you, I love doing the animal portraits. Graffiti is great, I love photographing it when I can find great stuff. I think you can too, since it was just portraits and that doesn’t have to mean people. Sometimes you need to extend the parameters.
I so understand you, Leanne, and your people portraits are still lovely. Now the animal ones are really cool and those are my favourites.
Thank you Sofia, I quite like the animal ones too.
Best
Thank you.
Fabulous mix Leanne
Thank you Brian.
Seems like many bloggers are not huge fans of sharing portraits. I’m not into taking pics of people either. Too many years in public service where we needed permission and disclaimers for everything! Love your animal portraits, Leanne! But your people shots are quite wonderful and new to me! Have a great week!
Yeah, it seems so, I don’t know why, I just don’t find it comfortable. Yeah, public service can be like that. Thank you so much, glad you like them.
Beautiful gallery
Thank you Nora.
love the animals and I think you did a great job with the people too!
Thank you Beth, glad you like them.
Leanne, these animal pictures are fantastic! It’s like they’re each posing for you. Don’t know how you did it!
Thank you Joanne, lol, it was pure luck believe me. I just took advantage of what I could see.
Same here no to people, but graffiti of Post is great!
Thank you Eunice, my daughter loves the Post Malone art too.
I love him now that he sings country never knew of him as a rapper, now that I am 69, I am into a good story
I asked my daughter and she isn’t too happy about it, lol. Stories are good.
A very complete gallery, Leanne!
Thank you so much Sandy.
Welcome!
Well, you’ve done brilliantly and turn out to have dozens!
Thank you Margaret, I like doing the animals, but the people shots are pretty old now.
Leanne, I am also so uncomfortable with portraits, but you showed us you have excellent photos. The human portraits are great, but the wildlife collection takes the prize for me. Great gallery!
Thank you Egidio, glad to hear you love the animal portraits, I do like doing that kind of photography.
I think your animal portraits should count, they are indeed portraits
Thank you, I think they should too.
Your animal portraits are so expressive, Leanne, that I know you’d do well with portraiture. I struggle to take photos of people as well, so I know what you are feeling.
Thank you John, I quite enjoy photographing animals. People are so different, they like to see what you have taken. lol
Leanne, I’m with you when it comes to portraits. Most of mine are environmental portraits. However, the portraits you’ve shown are just beautiful. You know how to do it, but choose not to, and that’s okay. Me, I don’t know how to do it and don’t want to learn. I loved your zoo portraits. You captured the animal’s personality.
Thank you Anne. I guess there is a difference between being knowing how to do them and being comfortable doing them. I saw your post Anne I think you are pretty good too.