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 Tips and Tricks

Would you like to improve your portrait photography? Knowing how to set up your camera and lighting to take quality pictures is just one of many steps. You also have to pose your subject while helping them feel relaxed and comfortable. Having great technical skills is a good start, but personal skills will also go a long way when photographing people. Let's look at some things you'll have to consider to take good portraits.

If you're taking your portraits in a studio be sure to set up everything before your subject arrives. Making your subject wait can make them feel anxious and even annoyed. These negative feelings will show up in the photographs. Get the lighting right. Have some props. Props can be used to make your subject feel more comfortable. Many people will relax more quickly if they're given something to do with their hands. If you're using a backdrop have it in place before the person arrives. If you're shooting outside of your studio, try to familiarize yourself with the location before the shoot. Walk around the area and get ideas for pictures.

You should plan a general look and feel for the portraits before the photo shoot. When your subject arrives discuss those ideas with them and get feedback. These original ideas often change, but they're good to set you in a direction for the photography session.

Don't be afraid to give your subject directions. Most people need to be posed for photographs. Many, if left to their own devices, will appear slouchy in pictures. Having your subject lean slightly forward will help stop them from slouching. While you're taking the pictures talk to our subject about their interests. Getting to know them better will help them feel more comfortable. Eventually, they may forget about the camera all together. If someone is uncomfortable having their portrait taken it really shows up in the picture. It's important that you go out of your way to help them relax.

Be creative. Creative portraits that break the rules can be very effective. Try different camera angels. Change the lighting. Use filters. See what works best for the mood your trying to capture. Some portraits may just include the person's hands. In some portraits the face fills the whole picture. Photography is a creative art. Once you know the rules don't be afraid to break them. As you make changes, be confident without being bossy. This will help your subject trust your decisions and be more willing to follow your instructions.

Combining these skills with the technical skills you already have will help make you the most popular portrait photographer in town.

Lovelyn loves photography and want to share her knowledge with you. Check out her website for more portrait photography tips. You can find plenty of other free tutorials there too.

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.