Much of fine-art portrait and fashion photographer Forough Yavari‘s work is inspired by her life experiences as a woman from a Middle Eastern country. Born in Iran (and now based in Melbourne, Australia), she has been passionate about photography ever since modeling for a photography student while in college. Here, a week before her WPPI seminar, Forough Yavari talks about takeaways from her class, what motivates her, what’s trending in fine-art portraiture, what equipment she can’t live without and more.

1. What is your WPPI 2023 class about?

Forough Yavari: During my seminar, “Fine-Art Portraiture, From Concept to Execution“, I will take the audience through the various stages of producing a fine-art portrait. Beginning with the inspiration phase, I will explain how I develop the concept and translate it into a visual representation. By analyzing some of my award-winning images, I will also share tips on how to create images that are comprehensible to judges and audiences from different cultures and backgrounds. This will include the use of universal symbols and visual vocabularies to ensure that the images are relatable to a broader audience. I will also discuss how to achieve a visual and emotional impact in storytelling by using unique techniques in lighting setups, posing, props, and post-production.

2. What are the main takeaways attendees will leave your class with?

Forough Yavari: Attendees can expect to leave the class with the following takeaways:

• A comprehensive understanding of the steps involved in creating a fine-art portrait.
• Tips for making images readable for diverse audiences
• Insights into achieving a visual and emotional impact
• Where to look to find ideas and inspiration for your concepts
• How to visualize your concepts and leave a lasting impact.

3.  What is trending in your genre right now?

Forough Yavari: In recent years, there have been various techniques and styles that have been popular in fine-art portrait photography—the use of film has made a comeback, as the unique grain and tonal range give portraits a nostalgic look. Ethereal and dreamy styles are also on the rise, featuring soft focus, muted tones, and a dreamy atmosphere to create a romantic or whimsical feel. Additionally, there is a trend for conceptual portraits that aim to convey a specific idea or theme, often using props, costumes, and creative post-processing techniques.

[Read: How I Got the Shot: Award-Winning Portraits]

Fashion photography, on the other hand, is constantly evolving, and new trends are emerging all the time. Inclusivity and diversity are increasingly emphasized in the fashion industry, and this trend is reflected in fashion photography. Sustainable fashion has become a hot topic too, and fashion photographers are highlighting eco-friendly clothing and production methods. There is also a trend for experimental and surreal imagery, as photographers push boundaries to create something different and unique.

4.  What has been a game-changing technique for you? 

Forough Yavari: I have found that mastering lighting has greatly benefited me in several ways in my photography. By understanding the different types of lighting—including natural light, artificial light, and studio lighting—I can have better control over the mood, atmosphere, and style of my photos, resulting in greater precision and consistency in my work.

Learning how to troubleshoot and adapt to different lighting situations has also helped me become more flexible and confident in my work. This has allowed me to work more efficiently, saving me time and resources in the long run. I can quickly set up lighting for different shooting scenarios, resulting in a smoother and more streamlined workflow.

Finally, becoming proficient in lighting techniques has resulted in higher quality images that meet or exceed my clients’ expectations, leading to increased client satisfaction, more repeat business, and better referrals. Overall, I have found that it  is an essential skill that has helped me take my photography to the next level.

5. What’s something that very few people know about you?

Forough Yavari: Despite what many people may think, I am actually a shy person. While I may come across as outgoing and confident in certain situations, I often feel nervous and self-conscious in social settings. However, I tend to avoid expressing and prefer to observe and listen and overcome my shyness. In a way, my shyness has become a strength, as it has taught me to be more empathetic and understanding of others.

6. What should photographers in your genre do but aren’t yet?

Forough Yavari: In my opinion, one area where fine-art photographers may be falling short is in valuing their work appropriately. Specifically, I have noticed that some photographers may not be pricing their work according to its true worth, which can lead to them being underpaid and undervalued.

There are many factors that go into pricing photography, including the time and effort put into the shoot, the cost of equipment and supplies, and the photographer’s level of experience and skill. However, I believe that some photographers may not be fully considering these factors when setting their prices and may be undercharging as a result.

[Read: WPPI Grand Award Winner: Creative Division, Illustrative]

By not valuing their work properly, photographers risk undermining their own worth and may struggle to make a sustainable living from their craft. By valuing their work more highly, photographers can create a stronger and more sustainable industry that benefits everyone involved, from the photographers themselves to their clients and the broader community of photography enthusiasts.

7. What advice do you have to keeping one’s work fresh?

Forough Yavari: It’s important to continuously improve skills and stay up to date with the latest technology and techniques. This means keeping an eye on industry trends and experimenting with new tools and approaches to see what works best for their style.

Another key to keeping photography work fresh is to stay open to new ideas and to be willing to try new things. This can include exploring different genres, collaborating with other artists or experimenting with new post-processing techniques. By staying curious and pushing themselves out of their comfort zone, photographers can keep their work dynamic and engaging. It’s also important for photographers to embrace their unique voice and let their creativity flow. This means not being afraid to take risks, explore unconventional ideas, and to express their personal vision and reflect their unique point of view.

8. What piece of gear or gadget can you not live without?

Forough Yavari: Both my camera and printer are critical to my work, and I consider them indispensable tools that enable me to create the art that I love. These are the tools that allow me to capture the images I envision and create the art that I am passionate about. While most people today view photographs on digital screens, I still believe that there is something special about seeing a physical print of an image. It allows the viewer to see the details and colors in a way that simply can’t be captured on a screen. Printing is a crucial step in the artistic process as it allows me to see my work in a real form and make necessary adjustments to achieve my vision.

9. What was your most challenging shoot and why?

Forough Yavari: Overall, I believe that the most challenging shoots are the ones where I need to work the hardest to get the shots that I’m looking for. When it comes to my fine-art works, I find that most of my shoots are challenging in their own way. This is because I often work with models who are not professionals and may not have experience with the kind of expressions and movements that I’m looking for in my photographs.

[Read: Barkha Agarwal’s High-Fashion Maternity Photography]

In order to achieve the results that I’m looking for, I need to work closely with my models for many hours, teaching them and helping them to understand the concepts and techniques that I’m trying to capture. This can be a challenging process, as I need to be patient and persistent in my approach, while also keeping my models motivated and engaged throughout the shoot.

10. If not photography, what would your career be?

Forough Yavari: If I were not a photographer, I would still want to be in a creative field. Perhaps I would pursue a career as a painter or sculptor, as I have always been drawn to visual arts and love creating things with my hands. Alternatively, I could see myself as a dress designer, as I have always enjoyed designing and creating unique costumes and props for my shoots.

The process of designing and bringing a vision to life is something that excites me, and I find great satisfaction in seeing my ideas come to fruition. While photography allows me to express my creativity in many ways, I believe that I would find fulfillment in other creative pursuits as well. Ultimately, I am grateful to be doing what I love and can’t imagine myself doing anything else at the moment.

[Editor’s Note: Forough Yaravi’s WPPI 2023 class, “Fine-Art Portraiture from Concept to Execution” takes place Wednesday, March 8, from 6:00-7:30 p.m. and is ideal for both beginners wanting to learn the basics of fine art portraiture, and experienced professionals looking to polish their skills.]

Forough Yavari is an award-winning portrait and fine-art portrait and fashion photographer based in Brisbane, Australia. After studying art in college, photography turned from a personal hobby into a professional challenge for her. The result of her endeavors over those years was her presence in multiple painting and photography exhibitions as well as winning several national and international awards. Her works have been exhibited in several venues and galleries internationally.