Secrets of Great Portrait Photography: Photographs of the Famous and Infamous

Book info: Secrets of Great Portrait Photography: Photographs of the Famous and Infamous (Kindle, 255 pages) – New Riders Pub, 2012. Language: English.

In this sexy, bold, beautiful book, photographer Brian Smith tells the stories behind the photos and lessons learned in 30 years of photographing celebrities and people in all walks of life. A Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer, Smith is the luckiest guy on the planet. He's told Bill Gates exactly what to do for an entire hour, exhibited at the Library of Congress, appeared on The X Factor, dined with the President and 3,000 of his closest friends, shared cupcakes with Anne Hathaway, and gotten drunk with George Clooney . . . all in the service of getting the perfect portrait. In this juicy guide to shooting professional portraits, Smith shares his insider tips on connecting with people, finding the perfect location, telling a great story through portraiture, getting just the right pose, capturing emotion and gestures, arranging unique group shots, and getting just the right light. Throughout, you'll stay inspired by the breathtaking images included of the famous and infamous-Venus and Serena Williams, Gene Hackman, Cindy Crawford, Donald Trump, Bill Gates, The Bee Gees, Antonio Banderas, Shaquille O'Neal, Anne Hathaway, Ben Stiller, Sylvester Stallone, and others.You might not be shooting the rich and famous yourself, but after reading Smith's tell-all guide, you'll know how to make every person who makes their way in front of your camera look and feel like a celebrity.