What Richard Avedon Taught Me About Portrait Photography
A portrait of Richard Avedon sourced from The Richard Avedon Foundation
Every now and then, when I need a creative jolt in my portrait work—especially in the areas I know I’m weaker—I turn to one photographer for inspiration: Richard Avedon. An icon. A master. And someone whose approach still challenges me to slow down and really connect with my subjects.
Most photographers I teach, whether it’s in my online classes, workshops, or even friends I chat with, tend to do the same thing I used to do: once the lighting is dialed in and the composition feels right, we think we’re done. But that’s just the technical part. The real magic—the part that makes a portrait stick in someone’s mind—lives in expression and posture. That’s where the character is. That’s the emotional anchor. Without it, you’ve just got a well-lit picture.
If I’m being honest, expression and posture have always been my weak points. My strengths? Light, context, and composition—probably because I came up as a photojournalist. I did a lot of environmental portraits for editorial assignments, but they were often rushed. That speed turned into a habit. I became really good at the 15-minute portrait… sometimes even the 5-minute portrait. But speed can strip away the soul you’re trying to capture.
When I need to break that habit—when I need to slow down and dig deeper—I look to Avedon.
Why Avedon’s Work Still Hits Hard
If you’re not familiar, Avedon photographed everyone from Marilyn Monroe to Malcolm X to Bob Dylan. His “In the American West” series is legendary. But here’s the thing: it wasn’t just about who he photographed, it was how he photographed them.
Too many celebrity portraits are “good” only because they’re of celebrities. The images themselves are average. Avedon’s weren’t. He didn’t rely on big cinematic lighting or elaborate sets. His portraits were stripped down—white backgrounds, soft light, and all the attention on the person in front of him.
And most importantly, he captured character. That’s the part people miss when they try to mimic his style.
How He Did It
Avedon didn’t just pose his subjects; he engaged with them. He’d talk, provoke, flatter, challenge—sometimes even confuse them on purpose—pushing them emotionally and intellectually until something real surfaced. He might spend hours, even multiple sittings, waiting for that one true moment.
That kind of patience is rare. It’s something I try to channel when I feel like I’m just going through the motions.
One of his quotes that stuck with me:
“My photographs don’t go below the surface… I have great faith in surfaces. A good one is full of clues.”
What he meant is you don’t have to force a narrative. You just have to observe. Pay attention to the way someone sits, how they hold their hands, how their eyes drift when the mask drops. The clues are all there if you’re looking.
Lessons I’ve Taken from Avedon
Strip it down. Don’t let your gear or backdrop do the emotional heavy lifting. Try a plain wall, soft light, and zero distractions.
Talk while you shoot. Be curious. Ask unexpected questions—something that makes them pause and think. The emotional shift will ripple into the next few frames.
Posture tells a story. A slump, a lean, a twist—these aren’t just poses, they’re clues to the person’s state of mind. Give emotional cues rather than just technical directions.
Don’t stop too soon. Some of the best moments happen after the “official” part is over—when they think you’ve put the camera down.
Lose the checklist. The best portraits often come from listening, not controlling. Let the session reveal something instead of trying to force it.
Closing Thoughts
You don’t need an 8×10 camera or a roster of celebrity clients to shoot like you care. You just need to slow down, engage, and make your subject feel like they’re sitting for something meaningful.
If you want to see this approach in action, pick up one of Avedon’s books or check out the Richard Avedon Foundation online. Study how he photographed both the famous and the everyday. Look at the way he captured those fleeting snippets of personality. That’s the part I’m always chasing in my own work.
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Justin Mott is a professional editorial and commercial photographer based in Vietnam and working globally. You can view his portfolio here to learn more about him and his work. Please consider subscribing to our newsletter below to stay update on our latest news for workshops, articles, talks, gear reviews, and much more.
