What do I wear for a portrait?

And other common questions.

Wear the clothes that make you comfortable. Wear the clothes that help you feel confident walking into a room of strangers or highlighting a part of your personality.

A few rules of thumb are: solids colors are better than patterns because busy patterns distract from the face. I slightly prefer big collars, v-neck collars, and just no round t-shirt collars. Feel free to bring an extra shirt, blouse or dress and I can help you choose.

Try to schedule the portrait for a good hair day. This might mean going for a touch-up a few days before, washing your hair the night before, or not. Everyone’s hair is different; mine looks fanciest when I roll out of bed, and there’s a cow-lick in the back.

I don’t photoshop out blemishes for editorial portraits because of photojournalistic ethics. But you can wear makeup if it makes you feel more comfortable. I love fancy eyeliner and bright lipstick.

I can do more to make skin look clear in commercial portraits, but I have to balance that with keeping the skin looking natural. I don’t do significant alterations in photoshop to take off 20 years or 20 pounds, but I do have some tricks in camera to make you look your best.

Where to shoot the portrait?

Portraits require some space. Academic offices are usually too small. Rooms with a big conference table are problematic for lights. My favorite locations are atriums, dens, studio apartments, patios, & lawns.

Backgrounds are essential but can be fudged. For example, if the portrait is for a specific institution or company there can be hints in the background. Most of the time, I use the background for the atmosphere and keep it nondescript.

I often make portraits at my Somerville portrait studio because it has space and a variety of backgrounds that I can control.

How long does a portrait take?

I once had 2 minutes to shoot a portrait of the King of Jordan in his office. If I’m honest, it was one of my worst portraits ever.

A good portrait takes an hour or two to coax the most out of the sitter, location, and lighting. A great portrait takes days or weeks.

How many photos are delivered?

That depends on the purpose of the portraits. If you need one photo for a magazine cover, we will focus on making one fantastic photo. If you need a library of images for social media, we can make a wide variety.

After two hours, I’ll edit out about 25 images that give the client or sitter a good variety of options.

Portrait of Larry Summers

Portraits for a story about Lawrence H. Summers in the New York Times.

Larry Summers has split his pandemic time between houses in Massachusetts and Arizona. He also seems to live inside the collective mind of the Washington economic establishment.

When the 66-year-old veteran of the Clinton and Obama administrations talks, Washington’s policy apparatus — journalists and think-tank types, economists and communications people, administration researchers and Capitol Hill staff — stops to listen. It disputes, debates and ultimately disseminates his ideas. Sometimes, it does so almost in spite of itself. Deploring the way he dominates the narrative is its own catalyst to his dominance, though his critics often miss the paradox.

– Jeanna Smialek

Portrait of Kat Gregor, Tax Litigator

for the New York Times Sunday Business

A portrait of Kat Gregor, a tax litigator at the law firm Ropes & Gray in Nantucket, Massachusetts. She said the I.R.S. challenged fee waivers used by four of her clients. The auditors struck her as untrained in the thicket of tax laws governing partnerships.

Fancy Pigeons

The Jacobin Pigeon, named after the Jacobin order of monks, is known for its feathered hood over its head. It has been bred with a hood so large that it can interfere with mating and they often require foster parents to raise their young. — Jacobin Pigeon

Fancy Pigeon Portraits

“Pigeons are rats with wings” is a common sentiment in the US but they are an art form for the pigeon fanciers of Cairo. There are a variety of fancy pigeon breeders in Cairo. I talked my way up to one of the ubiquitous wood slat roosts that are visible across the city and have learned that their obsession reaches across the region, lasts for generations, and has created some amazing birds. I see the narrative of the story following these eccentric hobbyists that pour hours each day into feeding, breeding, raising, and loving these amazing birds.

Pigeons fly in a coop above Manshaet Nasr. In the unregulated neighborhood of Manshaet Nasr many Christian's started family businessmen's of collecting and recycling Cairo's garbage in CAIRO, EGYPT on June 26.

These pigeon portraits are from Egypt but I often hear about the hobby across the Middle East. Historically each country or region would have its local pigeon breed and most enthusiasts would focus on improving their birds against their local neighbor’s birds.

Fancy Pigeon: Maltese Pigeon - Maltese Pigeons originated in Northern Italy near Modena. Drawings of the birds of that period resemble the Dodo, which is now extinct. Since then, they have been bred for their long neck and legs and their boxy shape. — Maltese Pigeon

Fancy Pigeon: King Pigeon - The King pigeon is known for its large size. While there are a few show varieties, it is more suitable for eating and squab production. It is a breed that originated in the United States during the 1890s but is now used world-wide as a utility bird. — King Pigeon

In the pre-internet age the elders of the community would pass their knowledge and finest specimens directly on to their younger neighbors, pigeon markets were the place to browse and socialize, but in the last 10 years, major shifts have come with the internet.

Pigeons are now traded across borders and competitions are now international. One enthusiast described how he bought a couple of pigeons in Jordan and had them smuggled under the seat of a long-haul truck into Egypt. Another enthusiast entered a competition in Saudi Arabia by first flying to Riyadh, finding the perfect specimen there, and entering it into the Saudi competition.

Fancy Pigeon: English Pouter - English Pouters are a very old breed and are known and recorded from the 1730s. — English Pouter

Fancy Pigeon: English Fantail - A couple of English Fantails pigeons. Charles Darwin kept English Fantails in his pigeon loft and used them as examples in the first chapter of "On The Origin Of Species." They are bred in more than fifty colors and marking patterns. — English Fantails

Pigeon fancier knowledge is shared on internet forums, images of their finest birds are posted on facebook. The birds are no longer geographically restricted as the finest specimens of Birmingham Rollers, Baghdadis, Turkish Tumblers, Iranian High Flyers, and Egyptian Swifts can be found in Australia, US, Europe, Saudi, and Kuwait.

The Crested Frillback Pigeon has no clear country of origin but an explorer in 1757 Egypt saw pigeons in Cairo "on which each and every feather was twisted or turned round." Breading for to accentuate these traits, without introducing unwanted results, requires strategizing of coupling a few generations in the future. — Crested Frillback

This English Longface is labeled as a tumbler. Tumblers are known for their distinctive mid-flight backflips, but as they were eventually bred for their rounded heads, English Longface Tumblers lost their unique flight pattern and some even lost their ability to fly. — English Longface

The Polish Owl is actually one of 52 breeds of Polish pigeons and is closely related to the Budapest Short Face. They are bred to be as small as possible and have a very precise posture, when taken to competitions they are scored based on how close they are to a recognized standard. — Polish Owl

The ability to talk about pigeons is the ability to make an immediate relationship in the working class neighborhoods of Cairo. Many times when I want to photograph from a high vantage point or simply talk with a local person in private I’ll point at a pigeon coop and ask who the owner is. It is the key that has opened many doors.

When I had an assignment to photograph el-Seed’s multi-building mural in Manshayet Naser for the New York Times I first photographed from the monastery on the side of the mountain. But I found the best view to be from a pigeon coop hanging out with a few young men.

Calling pigeons home in front of El Seed mural in Cairo, Egypt

Boston Portrait Photographer

Portrait of Robert Leverett and his wife Monica Jakuc Leverett — Robert Leverett and Monica Jakuc Leverett for a story about old growth forests for the Smithsonian Magazine.

While working with iFit on several projects I made libraries of portraits of their athletes in-between filming exercise videos. I often had only 5 minutes to photograph the portraits while fighting off sand, ocean, and altitude sickness, and loved every moment of it.

Portrait of Sandra Mansour — Sandra Mansour for Mother Jones Magazine. She Refused to Become an FBI Informant. Then the Government Made His Family’s Life Hell.

Dr. Daniela Lamas, a critical care doctor at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, For the New York Times.

Azza Fahmy, an Egyptian jewelry designer for Oryx in flight magazine.

Niren Chaudhary, CEO of Panera for the New York Times

Portrait Photographer

As portrait photographer in Boston, I introduce my audience to the story’s protagonists.

Portrait photographers often impose their style on the subject but I try to be open and let the subject determine the style. Sometimes, my portraits are carefully crafted with specific backdrops, lighting and poses; other times, they come in a candid moment, as the subject has learned to trust me and share more of who they are.

This portfolio includes a selection of portraits for editorial outlets such as the New York Times and Time Magazine as well as commercial clients such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Sanofi. Most recently, I created commercial portraits of athletes and adventurers in far-flung locations like Turks & Caicos, Jordan, and Everest Base Camp. My favorite portraits are of fancy pigeons, which I had to capture before they flew out of my makeshift studio on their owner’s rooftops!

Many of my portraits are made on location with a portable studio of Profoto flashes and stands or in my Davis Square portrait studio, just north of Boston.

Who still supports Morsy?

When President Morsy was removed from office by a military Junta thousands joined a month long sit-in at Rabaa al-Adawiya. State media reported that the protesters were terrorists, weapon wielding, foreign, mercenaries. These portraits are an attempt to directly photograph and quote the people I met in Rabaa al-Adawiya to decrease any distortion.

Taher Gamal El-Din, a software developer from Atfiha. “My grandfather was a member of the Muslim Brotherhood, but that was 40 years ago.” “I voted for the Islamists in the congressional elections, and Morsy in both presidential elections.” “There were things that I didn’t agree with about the constitution but they were relatively small.” “Under Mubarak there were only 5 families that controlled all the wealth and power in the country and this corruption existed at all levels.” “I had a friend that graduated from law school with very high grades, when he tried to get a job in the court system he was refused because he didn’t have the right connections. Now he is a teacher.”

At this moment Egypt was entering a very precarious time. A significant part of Egypt put their faith in the democratic system and Morsy to represent their needs and address their grievances. That system failed, and their dream disappeared. Now they are living together in Raba’a Adiweya.

Afraid of the police state that waits for them outside, waiting for God to intervene, believing that the army will split before it clears them out with force. The most important question in Egypt’s future is how the new government will re-integrate this significant portion of the population back into the system or will they be pushed further to the edges of society.

When Rabaa al-Adawiya was violently cleared and hundreds to about one thousand people were killed in the ensuing violence many in this section of the Egyptian population lost their lives and their peaceful voices. Some of the cell phone numbers of the people in these portraits have been closed and I don’t know where they are.

Amal Mohamad Hassan, a school teacher from Shubra, a district of Cairo. “In the 90’s, after the events in Luxor, State Security broke down our door and disappeared my husband for a week. They didn’t have any reason or warrant, just that he was a religious man. This same system is now returning.” “I know the brotherhood from their community service, helping, and teaching.” “Under Morsy was the first time we felt freedom and democracy. The media was free to be critical and we weren’t afraid of State Security. He was trying to rebuild Egypt from the ground up with many projects even though all the media was lying about him.” “I want you tell the American people that we are mad at them for supporting this coup. But we aren’t waiting for anything from America, we are only waiting on God.”

Ramadan Shehaf, 41, from Atfiha, a town south of Cairo. “State Security broke down my door and tortured me with electricity, attaching leads to my fingers, armpits and testicles. They told me to scream louder so that my neighbors would hear.” “The liberals said we would use a democratic system. We won the presidency, and 4 other votes because we have the majority. If you don’t want us in the government you don’t want democracy.” “I will sit here until I die. I came here to support his legitimacy, The secularists have played with the people using the media to lie to them.”

Ali Mohamed Saad, from Fayoum, a large agricultural area near Cairo. “I came to support legitimacy and because I love Morsy. I feel that he supports democracy more than any other president in the world.” Why do you love Morsy? “He protects our freedom and our Islamic identity.” How has your life changed under Morsy? “I daily feel the freedom of living under a civilian government, ruled by law. Especially during elections.”

Awataf Mohamed Ibrahim, from Shubra, a neighborhood in Cairo holds a portrait of deposed president Mohamed Morsy. Awtaf supports Morsy and wants him re-instated as president because “Under Mubarak people that lived outside of Cairo, especially those in the Sinai and Upper Egypt were forgotten, as if they weren’t even Egyptian. Morsy gave them their rights and the supplies they need to work and farm. He provides them with investment and services.” “He and the Brotherhood have worked to develop the culture and economy of Egypt.” “If we leave our children to these secularists they will grow up without morals.” “Under Mubarak Egyptians weren’t able to breath. He only helped those that were close to him and left most Egyptians hanging in the wind.” “I didn’t have any relationship with the Muslim Brotherhood, but after the revolution I wanted to know more.” “They are from us, and listen to us.” “The military should return to just guarding the border and the people. But right now they are coming and killing their own brothers as if they didn’t even know it.”

Walid Ahmed, from Assiut, a majority christian city in southern Egypt. “I came to this protest because this is the first time we have chosen a president and I feel he should finish his term.” “I love Morsy because he is finally leading the country in a manner we want, and he respects us.” “Morsy has ended the war on Islam and there is more freedom.”

Shaban Hamada, 31, from Atfiha used to sell chickens. “State security took my brother and tortured him for 13 days, breaking his hands and arms, to the point I had to help him do everything including wiping his ass.” “I studied religion at Al-Azhar University. But the system is so corrupt and anti-religious that they continue to prevent me from taking my final exam so I can graduate.” “If the military doesn’t return Morsy to his rightful place we will set this country on fire, and if they come here they won’t have to kill just one, they will have to kill us all.”

Manal Mahmoud of Zeitouna, is a grade school teacher in a girls school. “I have family in the army that think opposite from me and we have been split. We can’t talk about politics when we meet, but the army is made of our brothers, sons, and uncles.” “I didn’t have any relationship with the Muslim Brotherhood, but I heard they are good people and help others. They are part of the Egyptian population.” “The Brotherhood combine religion and politics in a way that helps spread the idea of love that is Islam. They speak the truth.” “The Mubarak regime was a failure. There wasn’t any freedom of opinion and if I said Mubarak was bad I would be taken to jail. I have friends that were woken from their sleep and taken to jail. But under Morsy is the opposite.” “I feel that they are laughing at us because they have returned the old system, the kill us, and close our media.”

Tamer Sakury, a 36 year old Civil Engineer, a Nubian from Luxor in Upper Egypt. Nubians have been forcefully kicked off their land and ignored by the government historically. “Morsy is the first president to respect the Nubians and teat us like full citizens.” “Morsy has increased pensions and social benefits to the Nubian community.” “He had the idea to give free health insurance to all.” “He has helped farmers get their chemicals and seeds.”

Alaa Mohamed, from Minya, a city in southern Egypt. “I came because I want to defend my freedom and my right to vote.” “I love Morsy because he is from the people, natural and simple. I think he is better than Nasser, because Nasser only tried to unite Arab nations, Morsy’s project is to unite all of the Muslim world.” “In Mubarak’s days if I went to the mosque too often someone from the Interior Ministry would start questioning me and possibly arrest me. But with Morsy we are free to pray as we want.”

The Al-Nahda Garden is located beside one of the Pro-Morsy sit-ins in Cairo and has been taken over as a place to relax in the shade, especially during the monthlong fasting of Ramadan. According to a report by Amnesty International, the garden has also been the location of torture and murder by the Morsy supporters.