And I need your advice because portrait photography is completely new to me.
I’m going to be honest.
I’m nervous.
Not the kind of nervous that makes you quit.
The kind that sits in your chest and tells you something important is about to happen.
For the last little while, I’ve been thinking about starting a new portrait project. Real people. Real stories. Human connection. The kind of work that scares you because you can’t hide behind landscapes, cars, or quiet moments anymore. You have to step forward and ask someone to trust you.
And I’ve decided I’m doing it with my Leica Q.
One camera. One lens. 28mm.
Here’s the truth.
Portrait photography is 100% new to me.
I’ve spent years photographing moments, places, classic cars, and the everyday world around me. But stepping into intentional portrait work feels like stepping into a completely different universe. There’s nowhere to hide. No distance. No comfort zone. Just presence, connection, and trust.
That decision alone has brought up every emotion you can imagine. Excitement. Stress. Doubt. Curiosity. Fear. All at the same time.
Because candid portraits and environmental portraits with a 28mm lens feel vulnerable. You’re close. You’re present. And honestly, that’s part of why I want to do it.
But right now, I’m in that uncomfortable middle space. The space between deciding and starting.
And I need your help.
I know many of you reading this have more experience with portrait work than I do. Some of you shoot professionally. Some of you have been doing this for years. Some of you have already walked through this exact phase I’m in.
So I want to ask you a few real questions.
If you were starting a portrait project with a Leica Q, how would you set it up?
Not just technically. Emotionally. Mentally. Creatively.
But also technically.
What settings would you lock in so you can stop thinking and start connecting?
Would you shoot aperture priority or manual?
Auto ISO or fixed?
What minimum shutter speed do you trust when you’re close to people?
Do you use face detect or zone focus?
Do you rely on autofocus or do you slow things down?
And more importantly…
How did you get over the fear of asking strangers if you could photograph them?
Because this is the part that scares me the most.
Walking up to someone. Starting a conversation. Being rejected. Feeling awkward. Feeling like an imposter. Feeling like I don’t belong.
But I also know this is where growth lives.
The truth is, this project is about more than portraits. It’s about stepping deeper into what Photography Heals Your Soul really means. It’s about community. It’s about connection. It’s about slowing down and truly seeing people.
I believe photographers spend their lives capturing everyone else.
This time, I want to capture the photographers. The creators. The storytellers. The people behind the camera.
But before I begin, I want to learn from you.
So if you’ve shot portraits with a 28mm lens, or with a Leica Q, or if you’ve built a portrait project from scratch, I would love your advice.
What worked?
What didn’t?
What do you wish you knew at the beginning?
What mistakes should I avoid?
What mindset helped you the most?
Reply to this post. Leave a comment. Send me a message.
This community is the reason I keep showing up. And I want this project to be shaped by all of us, not just me.
Because at the end of the day, this is bigger than gear or settings.
It’s about people.
It’s about courage.
It’s about the uncomfortable step forward.
And right now, I’m standing right at the edge of it.
Tyson
Photography Heals Your Soul
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