
Up-Close Connection
Yvens B offers portrait photography tips using his Tamron 90mm F2.8 macro lens to shoot a ‘complex love tango.’
Author: Jenn Gidman
Images: Yvens B
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Yvens B offers portrait photography tips using his Tamron 90mm F2.8 macro lens to shoot a ‘complex love tango.’
When Canadian photographer Yvens B first discovered the model Aisha, he was instantly stunned by her unique look. “I decided to organize a creative portrait session in my Montreal studio for the sole purpose of creating something visually interesting starring Aisha,” he says. “She suggested pairing her with someone she knew for the best synergy. As soon as I saw Dimitri, I knew there was a story I could create.”

To fulfill his vision, Yvens used the best lens for portrait photography in his arsenal: the Tamron 90mm F2.8 Di III VXD M1:1 mid-telephoto macro lens. “I’m pleasantly surprised at its sharpness, and by the way it changed my thinking when approaching subjects,” he says. “Usually I try to get coverage by framing the subject differently, depending on what I’d like to highlight. Now that I’m using this portrait photography lens, I can capture important details that highlight a character trait or other interesting elements for the viewer. The 1:1 aspect ratio of this lens makes it easy to reach into those details and maintain an incredible level of sharpness.”
The direction Yvens envisioned for this studio portrait photography session was that of a young couple in a codependent relationship, where both individuals had their strengths but were caught in a complex love tango. “I wanted to convey that love was present, but the situation was undeniably ‘complicated,’” he explains. “The best way I’ve found to communicate is through storytelling—how humans have transferred knowledge to one another since the beginning of time.”

Once Yvens observed Aisha and Dimitri’s chemistry in the studio, he knew that having them physically “chained” to one another through the story he shared early in the session would help them all generate ideas that aligned with the theme. “I explained the codependent nature of their relationship and suggested some personality prompts,” he says. “For Dimitri, I described him as having a lot of potential but also being a ‘bad boy’ with a dark influence. For Aisha, I portrayed her as strong, though their relationship is a mix of fueling her future and hindering it.”

Yvens created a mood board to reflect the energy he wanted for the shoot. “My subjects opted for winter urban outfits reminiscent of the 1990s,” he says. “As for the red background, it was intended to create strong contrast and visual impact. Initially, I lit it as a brighter red, but I ultimately chose a deeper burgundy to calm the set. I hoped the richer tone would add a sense of maturity, much like fine wine.”

To light the set, Yvens lit the red background using a large silver umbrella with a diffusion panel, positioned camera left. “For the main light, I used a 42-inch softbox mounted on a junior boom arm, also camera left, as I needed something versatile enough to illuminate both subjects,” he says. “To create deeper contrast with the subject, I placed a black flag in the form of a V-flat to the right of the camera.”
Once the standard shots were completed, Yvens incorporated an optical snoot to help craft the story for Dimitri. “The light was designed to symbolize something akin to a halo,” he says. “I used the optical snoot to light the background while the main light illuminated the subject.”

Yvens was able to achieve the close-up of the reflective sunglasses due to the 90mm’s macro capabilities. “One of my models then suggested using the reflection in the sunglasses to create a portrait of the other,” he says. “This illustrates how communicating your intentions and capabilities can be incredibly beneficial.”

The tiny details Yvens included added depth. “If you take a look at old portrait paintings—an easy example is Adam and Eve by Albrecht Dürer—the objects used are instrumental in understanding the character and the context,” he says. “Using objects that the photographer focuses on, or that were added, is typically where they can easily add personality or dimension.”
To see more of Yvens B’s work, check out his website and Instagram.