26 Tips for Portrait Photographers

Dec 8

Introduction

Portrait photography is a complex blend of artistic, technical, and commercial skills that require a lot of dedication and creativity. You need to know so many things before you take one single frame!

In a recent consumer survey conducted by Pew Research, portrait photography was found to be the most popular type of photography, with 59% of Canadians saying they have taken a portrait photograph in the past year.

This is likely because portrait photography is a great way to capture memories and moments that can be cherished for a lifetime.

So let's jump into upping your portrait photography game with 26 pro tips!

Choose the Right Gear for the Job

One thing that will determine whether you can take high-quality portraits is the type of camera you are using. If the client is not happy with what they see in their images, your reputation as a professional photographer may be at stake!

There are some excellent options to consider, like DSLR cameras or mirrorless cameras. As you will probably be able to tell from the results, these types of cameras will produce better quality images than your cell phone camera.

Lenses are also essential to consider when taking portraits. There are a variety of lenses available on the market, but for portrait photography, you will want to stick with a lens that is in the 50-85mm range. This will help to create natural-looking portraits with a shallow depth of field.

While using these tools is essential for taking professional-looking photos, it is also good practice to make sure they are adequately cared for at all times.

Get the Lighting Right

You can use several different lighting techniques to take your portrait photos, but the key is to make sure that the face is lit correctly. Taking a well-lit photograph will make for a more pleasant viewing experience as people don't want their faces in complete shadow or with bright white spots where the sun reflects off their nose and cheekbones.

When photographing indoors, try to avoid shooting against windows because it can create harsh shadows on faces which will need to be retouched later on during post-processing. Also, remember that using plain flash dramatically reduces your chances of producing a professional-looking image so try experimenting with softboxes, umbrellas, and background light sources.

Also, remember that directional light (light coming from one particular direction) highlights facial features in a flattering way. In contrast, diffused light (soft light that has bounced off multiple surfaces) is less harsh and will reduce the appearance of skin blemishes.

Put Your Subjects at Ease

Putting your subjects at ease when taking their portrait photos is crucial because it helps them look natural when taking pictures. Showing them examples of how you want them to pose can help, but also sympathize with them by saying, "it's hard not to move," so they know what to expect!

Another great tip is to use positive reinforcement because this will give people an incentive to do what you ask. So, if someone says "sounds good," reward their continued experimentation with a smile and a positive response!

Take Lots of Pictures

This is especially important when first starting out as a portrait photographer. The more pictures you take, the better your chances are of getting that perfect shot. This is because you will have more shots to choose from, and you can also use them as practice material to learn from your mistakes.

Also, don't be afraid to ask your subjects to retake photos if they're not happy with how they turned out. People usually don't mind doing it once or twice as long as you are polite and explain why you want them to retake the photo.

Use Post Processing Tools Wisely

Post-processing tools can be used to improve the quality of your portrait photos, but it's essential to use them in a way that doesn't overly manipulate the photograph. For example, if you want to make someone's skin look smoother, then use a tool like Photoshop's "healing brush" or "clone stamp" to eliminate any blemishes on their skin.

However, be careful not to overdo it because people will be able to tell if you've used too much post-processing, and it can often look fake or unrealistic. So, try to stick to subtle changes that will improve your photos' overall look without making them seem unnatural.

Find the Right Location

When taking photos of people, you must find a nice location that will complement the person's clothing and personality. The best way to go about this is to pick a few locations that are in or near your city. Then take pictures there using different poses, angles, and facial expressions. This way, you will learn what makes for good portrait photos before finding your ideal subject!

Concentrate on Details

When photographing people, you should try to concentrate on the finer details because they make all the difference between an average photo and one that looks professional. Things like makeup, hairstyles, tattoos, piercings, watches/jewelry, etc., are all things that can be used as fashionable elements in your portrait photography which can help improve their overall appearance.

Get to Know Your Camera

This is especially important if you want to take good portrait photos because your camera is one of the most important tools you have at your disposal. Knowing how to use all the different settings on your camera will help you take better pictures and also allow you to experiment with different techniques.

Also, try to learn as much about post-processing as possible because it can improve the quality of your photos in several ways.

Be Patient!

This is probably one of the most important tips for any type of photography, but it's imperative when taking portraits. People tend to be more patient when they're being photographed if you take the time to explain what you're doing and why. So, take the time to engage with people before you start taking their photo, and it will pay off in the end because they'll be more willing to give you what you want!

Be Consistent

Your portrait photos must be consistent with each other so that people can tell they're all yours. This mainly involves using similar camera settings, holding poses for a long enough period of time, repeating facial expressions at regular intervals, etc. The idea here is to make sure people look natural in every photograph, which will allow them to feel relaxed around you (at least until it's time for them to exit stage left).

Another way of achieving consistency that works exceptionally well when photographing groups of people is by using the "the same pose" concept. This means that everyone in the portrait photographs should look like they belong together, making for a very professional-looking final result.

Give Them Something to Do

If you want people to look natural in your photography, then make sure you give them something to do. For example, if you're photographing a family outside their house, get them all to hold hands or link arms while having an animated conversation with each other about random things. The goal here is to get them to use body language which isn't stiff because this will also look natural when photographed!

Don't Be Afraid of Natural Expressions

Your subjects don't always have to smile when taking portrait photos because not every image needs a big grin slapped on it. In fact, many of the best portrait photos are of people who are looking serious or even sad. So, try to experiment with different expressions and see which ones work best for the particular situation you're in.

Use Props Wisely

Props can be a great way of adding interest to your portrait photos, but you should use them sparingly because they can also be distracting. The key here is to find props that complement the person's outfit and personality while also adding a bit of style to the photo.

Play with Angles

One of the main concepts to remember when taking portrait photos is to think about the angle you take a picture from. You can use several different angles, including eye level, above/below waist level, and even behind. Try experimenting with different angles because this will often give your portraits an interesting new perspective!

Make Them Feel Comfortable

When people are uncomfortable, they won't be able to act naturally in front of your camera, which means you won't get any good shots. So, try to make them feel comfortable before you start photographing them by talking with them first or asking questions that might help calm their nerves (like where they're going after the shoot). Also, having someone close by that they know can also help put people at ease, so try asking their partner, family member, or friend to be there as well.

Don't be Afraid to Demonstrate Poses

If you're working with someone who is new to portrait photography, then it might be a good idea to demonstrate some poses for them. This way, they'll have an idea of what you want them to do, and it will also help speed up the photo-taking process.

Make Sure the Background is Interesting

The background is just as necessary as the person in the photo, so make sure you take the time to find a suitable location that has an interesting backdrop. This could be anything from a busy city street to a quiet park or even indoors in a well-decorated room.

Use Reflectors

One of the best ways of adding some extra light to your portrait photos is by using reflectors. These are simply pieces of reflective material that you can hold up to your subject's face, which will help bounce light back onto their skin and add some extra detail and depth to the photograph.

Encourage your Subject to Move Around

If you want to add some life to your portrait photos, then encourage your subject to move around. This could be as simple as having them walk towards or away from the camera or even doing some simple poses that show off their personality.

Take Advantage of Different Lighting Conditions

The best time to take portrait photos is during the "Golden Hour," which is the hour after sunrise and the hour before sunset. This is because the light during this time is very soft and flattering, making it perfect for portrait photography. However, if you can't shoot during this time, don't worry because you can still get great results by using different types of lighting such as studio lighting, natural light, or even candlelight.

Think about Composition

One of the most important rules for portrait photography is to think about composition. This means that you should consider what your subject is doing and how they're doing it and where they're positioned in the shot. All these factors will help change the way your portrait photos look, so take a few moments to figure out the best places to have your subject stand or sit before you press the shutter button!

Strive for Quality over Quantity

You don't always need hundreds of different poses and styles for a single photoshoot because sometimes it's better to just concentrate on getting a handful of quality images instead. So when someone asks you what kind of photos you have available, tell them that you have one main picture with a few variations instead of a whole bunch of mediocre shots.

Get Feedback from other Photographers

It's always important to get feedback on your work, especially if you're just starting in portrait photography. This is because other photographers will be able to give you honest and unbiased feedback about your photos which will help you improve your skills in the future.

Choose your Lens Wisely

The lens you choose to shoot your photo with will ultimately affect how your final images look. As a general rule, try to avoid shooting wide-angle images because they tend to distort the subject's features, so only use 50mm or longer lenses.

Do Some Research

Before you begin taking portrait photos, you must know what direction you want to go in. This means doing research online and looking for inspiration from other photographers, artists, and painters who have mastered the art of portraiture.

Shoot as Often as You Can

One of the best ways to improve your portrait photography skills is by shooting as often as possible. This means doing some self-portraits, photographing friends and family members, or even strangers on the street!

Conclusion: The Bottom Line

Portrait photography can take a lot of time and patience, so it's essential to give yourself a solid foundation in the basics before you even think about taking your first photo. Read articles, look for inspiration and study the work of your favorite portrait photographers to get a better understanding of how it's done. Happy shooting!

That Toronto Studio’s List of Gear for Photographers!

Here’s a list of gear that can help make your shoot a success. We have tried to list products from several price points / tiers so that no matter your budget, you can have an awesome and successful shoot!

Portable Lighting

Neewer 300W Battery Powered Flash w. Softbox | Neewer RGB Camera Mounted LED | Heavy Duty, Tripod-base Light Stand

Drones & Cameras

DJI Mini - highest-end drone manufacturer, great for exploring new areas

Off Brand Drone - affordable drone for low cost urban aerial exploration

GoPro 360 Camera - great for documenting your shoot. Shoot BTS & time-lapse!

Sony A7IV Camera - excellent low light camera. Professional grade.

Canon R6 Mirrorless Camera - high quality pro-grade mirrorless camera.

Canon M200 Vlogging Camera - excellent vlogging camera. Low price point.

Portable Computing, Storage, & Power

Gimbals, Screens, Tripods & Tools

Rainproofing

Rainproof Camera Cover or this Waterproof Cover | Large Umbrella for 2 people

And don’t forget to take care of yourself too!

Protein Bars | Filtered Water Bottle | Mentos Fresh Gum (6 x 50 pack) | SPF 50 Sunscreen

Management

Founded in 2015, ThatTorontoStudio is Canada’s leading photography studio rental service, based in Toronto, Ontario.

https://www.thattorontostudio.ca