Learn the Art of Great Family Portrait Photography

Family portrait photography has become more than just photographs of your family.

Many modern photographers now view portraits as a form of artistic expression. The feeling is that a well composed portrait can show the bond shared by the family, how they feel, and represent who they are.

Portraits are no longer just about smiling and staring into the camera. They can be both unique and creative.

Each family is different and an artistic family picture can express the individuality of each particular family's distinctive qualities and relationships. When the family members, and anyone else for that matter, look at a modern family portrait, it should be possible to have the power to invoke feelings and emotions much like fine art does.

Artistic portraits of a family can tell a story, and even one solitary image can induce profound emotional reactions, within that family. What makes an artistic portrait different from the older portraits?

Traditionally, family portraits were taken with everyone standing or sitting stiffly, in a uniform group, all looking straight at the camera. Now many artistic photographers have changed all that.

Composition, and consideration of the rules of composition such as the Rule of Thirds, is aimed to create something that is more than a snap or stiff conventional group.

Examples could be a couple who may stare lovingly into each others eyes, or portraits of a family, artistically composed, with a new baby which could have all the members gazing at the subject baby.

A dramatic effect could also be accomplished by having the family members looking in different directions and perhaps at different angles. Conventional family portrait photography featured the family grouped in the center of the frame but now the artistic appearance of a family off-center or asymmetrically arranged can add a special dimension, or depth to the image.

On a practical note, when composing your image try arranging your subjects in odd numbers if possible as odd numbers always work better than even numbers, with three the best number of all, of course.

You will see that posing three people in a triangle gives a very pleasing result.

If there are only two people try to avoid side-by-side pictures - have one slightly behind or ahead of the other.

Four people can be problem but you can stagger them i.e. as two people plus two people.

When you have more than four people, you can try to stagger them in a diagonal line.

Different angles can also introduce a new element to the portrait. Rather than the typical straight on shot, the photograph can be taken from an elevated position.

The photograph could also be shot from below, looking up at the family, or from the side or any number of other angles. These alterations in perspective can completely change the whole look and feel of the image. Colors, or lack of color can dramatically affect the appearance of the image as well.

For example, dramatic emphasis can be added to a photo by creating a black and white portrait. Black and white or sepia colored portraits can often stand out and appear more elegant. Art offers limitless possibilities for the enhancement of family portrait photography.

Your portrait should exhibit your family's individuality, and the right photograph will be both a record of your family and an artistic expression of who and what they are.

David Whittle has written articles on digital photography aimed at getting beginners and novices out there taking great shots as soon as possible.

You can get further free tips at http://www.simpledigitalphototips.com

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More Portrait Photography Tips and Tricks For Great Portraits

In my last article on portrait photography tips and tricks we discussed some new or different ways to approach a portrait. Portrait photography can be the most difficult and the most rewarding type of photography. Difficult because it is a portrait and you want to have the subjects personality show. Most rewarding because when you can get that to happen you have more than just a photo, you have a portrait.

Here are some more portrait photography tips and tricks to get you thinking out of the box and engage your subject for a great photo.

Candid Camera

No, I'm not telling you to use a hidden camera but to get candid shots. Posed portraits can look artificial and staged. When you get your subject involved in doing something your pictures are likely to be more natural and show more of your subject's individuality. What is your subject's hobby? Are they a gardener? Do they tinker with old cars? Are they a cook? Get them involved in what they love and it will show in the portrait. Use a long zoom lens if you like so you feel less intrusive. Of course action sports shots like skiing, hiking, sailing, climbing etc are wonderful but unless you also participate in the sport, they're pretty tough on the photographer!

Use a Prop

This technique is especially good with kids. Give them something to play with and all you need to do is keep up! You do need to make sure the prop doesn't become the focus of the portrait instead of the subject. Do allow the prop to add interaction and a sense of place and story to the portrait and show your subject in a different light, adding another layer to them.

Focus on One Part of the Body

Get close up on just part of your subject and not necessarily the face. Think how much a person's hands say about them, especially if they work with those hands as an artist or craftsman. What would the feet of a dancer show about your subject? Or a many-pierced ear? Or the back of a neck with a small tattoo just glimpsed in part of the picture?

All of these portrait photography tips and tricks add interest to the portrait as well as showing parts of your subject's personality that might not otherwise show in a more traditional portrait.

I'm an amateur portrait photographer. My favorite subjects are portraits of dogs and kids, especially together. Stop by PHOTOGRAPHYPOSE.INFO for tips on how to pose models and taking great portraits.

Portrait Photography - 5 Great Tips to Get You Started

Most people who know how to point and operate a camera are able to make a portrait photograph. However, there are of course differences in the amateur and professional portrait. Professional portrait photographers have certain abilities and techniques that let them get the best out of their subjects.

A portrait photograph does not only mean a person's image. It shows character and emotion as well as employing professional approaches. If you want to start shooting portraits and don't know the essential elements, here are five tips that can give you a good start.

1. Plan

Be sure that you are ready before you go to the photo shoot. Not only that you have all the equipment that you need, but be sure that you can handle the job properly. Prepare all the necessary materials and be sure to bring a good topic for conversation so that your subject can relax while you are shooting. Document your scene and itemize all tools and props you are going to need. Review this list carefully and make sure nothing is missing.

2. Rapport

Building rapport with your subject is the first thing that you should learn how to achieve. Interest in knowing your subjects are a plus. If you get to know your subject and they know you, they will become more comfortable in front of the camera. When the shoot comes, you have better chances of getting the best natural expressions of the people you are photographing. Sit your subject and initially discuss anything to put them at ease. Many photographers from the film days would spend some time snapping without film for a "rapport time". Then when they felt the subject was at ease, then use film. With digital this is not necessary, but you get the point.

3. Personality

Try to make sure that your photos will show the personality of your subject. You can only do this if you know the person. So if you don't know them, get to know them. You can do this in the initial discussion before the session as well as observation during the session. Discover something about the person and their characteristics and try to show this in the photographs. Make sure that their personality shows in their faces. Personality usually appears when the subject is not expecting a shot or is comfortable with you and the equipment.

4. Background

Most portraits have light or dark backgrounds to emphasize the subject. You can also use the environment to add more character to your subject. Also, be sure that the colors of your background and the dress of your subject complement each other. Sometimes backgrounds become the flaw of a picture because the photographer took it for granted. Plain black or white paper or material backgrounds are the favorite choice of professional portrait photographers.

5. Lighting

Most photographers prefer studio lighting as it provides the photographer with much more control than natural light. However, some professionals choose natural lighting but this can be difficult to achieve, as a studio has to be purpose built around the natural elements of the sun. Be sure that light is interesting and flattering, or that it satisfies the angle that you want to emphasize. Portrait photographers generally use two or more lights, underexposing one side of the face by up to one stop. Lighting can have a dramatic effect especially if you want a professional looking photograph.

Portrait photography is a really enjoyable hobby. If you're serious in making it your career, you can be sure that it can be lucrative as long as you perfect your craft. However, remember that you should have the heart for the job because portrait photography's first requirement is human interest

Roo du Jardin is a photographer who runs an informational website about Online Photography Courses. Read some more tips, techniques and resources at Online Photography Courses blog.

Portrait Photography Tips and Tricks For Great Portraits

Whether you're a professional photography or an amateur like me one of the most difficult shots to take is a portrait. Shooting a portrait that captures the subject's personality is really an art. Some of the best ones I've ever seen are portraits that break the rule and step out of the box, not for the shock or "odd" value but for the change of perspective that can often really portray your subject in a different light that let's their individuality show. Here are some portrait photography tips and tricks I've used in the past to take great portraits. I hope they'll fire up your own imagination.

Alter Your Perspective

Most portraits are taken at eye level of the subject. Try for a different height and change things around. Shoot down on your subject from above or lay down on the floor and shoot up and see what happens.

Eye Contact

The eyes really influence the feel of a portrait. A subject looking directly into the camera lens has a much different feel than one who is focused on something outside of the camera frame. Have your subject focus on something outside the frame to add interest. What are they looking at? What's making them laugh? What are they so intently interested in? Is it a thing or a person? Another idea to try is having your subject focus on something in the frame with them. A book, a pet, a child. Something to interact with and create interest and a story.

Break the Rules

The rule of thirds in composition was established because it is pleasing to the eye. Use that rule more as a guideline or break it entirely by framing your subject to one side and you will have a totally different picture.

Change Things Up

We all have preconceptions of a photographic portrait. Posed in a static environment that we are familiar with. Change things up and get your subject moving or doing something a bit outside their normal comfort zone. Stand on one foot, jump up and down, stand on a chair, play with a hat. Sounds silly, but your subject will laugh and move in a different way and you may get some out of the ordinary shots.

I'm an amateur portrait photographer. My favorite subjects are portraits of dogs and kids, especially together. Stop by PHOTOGRAPHYPOSE.INFO for tips on how to pose models and taking great portraits.