Portrait Photography Tips

There are many techniques and considerations that can help improve your portrait photography. Here are some key tips:

1. Use the right lens: A portrait lens with a focal length of 50mm or longer is ideal for capturing flattering portraits. Avoid using wide-angle lenses, as they can distort the subject's features.

2. Choose a good location: The location you choose can greatly impact the look and feel of your portrait. Consider the lighting, background, and overall ambiance of the setting.

3. Control your lighting: Good lighting is essential for any portrait. Natural light can be beautiful, but it can also be unpredictable. Consider using reflectors and diffusers, with (indirect) flash, to help control the lighting in your shot.

4. Use a wide aperture: A wide aperture (such as f/2.8 or wider) can create a beautiful shallow depth of field, which can help to isolate the subject from the background and create a more dynamic and engaging portrait.

5. Direct your subject: It's important to give your subject direction and guidance during the shoot. This can help them feel more relaxed and natural in front of the camera, and can help you capture more authentic and expressive portraits.

6. Pay attention to composition: Consider the framing and composition of your shot, and be intentional about the placement of your subject within the frame, and the angle of your camera. Stand on a step-stool for a slightly higher, more flattering, angle.

7. Edit with care: Post-processing can help enhance the final image, but be careful not to overdo it. Keep your edits subtle and natural-looking, and be mindful of maintaining the integrity of the original image. Lowering the "Texture" slider can help soften the skin of older subjects, and reduce their wrinkles!

Always turn your subject's body towards the left or right or the camera position, it helps them look thinner! Then have them turn the head slightly halfway back towards the camera (Position 1 above), with the eyes finally turning the last bit to look at the camera. Take another shot with the subject's head turned even more, towards their downstage shoulder (Position 2 above).

To get a natural smile be ready to make a joke and then press the shutter when they are smiling or laughing, sometimes those are the best shots! Also don't forget to take a few shots of the "Smize", or "smiling with your eyes" (no teeth). Some people look better smizing than smiling, like the guy above.

Position 2

Remember that the best portrait photography techniques will vary depending on the subject, setting, and desired outcome. Experiment with different approaches and find what works best for you and your subjects.