10 Tips for Photographing Portraits

Wide Angles

• In photography, using a wide angle creates dramatic impact and interesting distortion by enlarging the edge of the frame and drawing focus to the center of the photo. Use wide angles for casual portraits with playful subjects.

Unfocused Shots

• Use unfocused shots to create a dreamy, mysterious, emotional and interesting photo. You can create this effect by blurring one element of the photo, such as the main subject, or by leaving the entire photo out of focus.

Different Perspectives

• Experiment with different angles and perspectives when taking a portrait. Instead of taking the picture with the camera around the subject's eye level, shoot from above, the side or below to add the "wow" factor to the portrait.

Focus on the Eyes

• When you look at a portrait, it is easy to be drawn in by the subject̵7;s eyes. When you take a portrait photo, always focus on the eyes of the subject to add interest and create depth.

Avoid Standard Flashes

• Standard flashes are generally unflattering for portrait photos because the harsh light creates unnatural shadows, fades out the background and highlights imperfections. Avoid using a standard flash unless necessary, such as when photographing in a dark room.

Backgrounds

• Take advantage of the background of the photo and use the background to add an interesting dimension to the portrait. Inside the studio, work with the camera settings to create a mood for the background. Outdoors, capture the feel and colors of the environment.

Experiment with Lighting

• Experiment with lighting as lighting provides many possibilities for introducing interesting elements into a portrait. Use different lighting techniques to create a mood for a portrait.

Props

• Props are useful for creating points of interest that enhance a portrait. Use props to give your photo direction and add a sense of story. Avoid overpowering props since they can divert attention away from your main subject.

Zoom Settings

• Use the cameras zoom settings to obscure parts of your subject, such as hands, clothing or objects. This technique allows photographers to draw a viewer's focus to certain parts of the portrait.

Experiment with Expressions

• Use the subject's expressions to change the mood and emotions of the photo. Experiment with extreme to subtle expressions to see what works best.