Portrait Photography Tips | By Deborah Longmore Photography
Portrait photography is more than just taking a picture of someone—it’s about telling a story, capturing a feeling, and freezing a moment in time that reveals the subject’s personality. Whether you’re photographing a family, a couple, or an individual, nailing the technical details while building a strong connection with your subject can turn an ordinary portrait into something unforgettable.
In this guide, we’re sharing essential portrait photography tips that will help you elevate your images and create timeless, emotive portraits that your clients will treasure.
Portrait Photography Tips
1. Focus on the Eyes
The eyes are the window to the soul—and in portraits, they’re the first thing people notice.
🎯 Set Your Focus: Use single-point autofocus to lock onto the eye closest to the camera, especially when shooting with a shallow depth of field. Sharp eyes give life to a portrait.
✨ Create Catchlights: These subtle reflections in the eyes add sparkle and emotion. You can achieve them by positioning your subject near a light source or using a reflector or softbox for a gentle glow.
2. Choose the Right Lens
Your lens choice can make or break the look of your portraits.
📷 Prime Lenses (50mm or 85mm): Known for their crisp detail and creamy background blur (bokeh), prime lenses are portrait favorites. Anything under a 50mm will lead to distortion
📷 Telephoto Lenses (70–200mm): These offer flattering compression and allow you to shoot from a distance—great for capturing natural, candid moments.
⚠️ Avoid Wide Angles: They can distort facial features, which isn’t ideal unless you’re intentionally going for a quirky or artistic effect.
3. Master the Use of Light
Lighting sets the mood and defines the quality of your portrait.
🌅 Golden Hour Magic: Shoot during the golden hour (just after sunrise or before sunset) for warm, flattering tones and soft shadows.
🪞 Reflectors: Bounce light onto your subject’s face to soften shadows. A white reflector gives a natural fill, while gold adds warmth and silver brings brightness.
💡 Artificial Lighting: When indoors, use softboxes or continuous LED lights to replicate natural light. Position them at a flattering angle to avoid harsh shadows.
4. Keep an Eye on the Background
The background should enhance—not distract from—your subject.
🎨 Use a Shallow Depth of Field: A wide aperture (e.g., f/1.8–f/2.8) helps blur busy backgrounds and focus attention on your subject.
🌿 Complementary Colors: Choose settings or backdrops that suit your subject’s outfit and skin tone. Natural, muted tones work well, but bold colors can add personality when used intentionally.
🧹 Keep it Simple: A clean, uncluttered background helps the subject shine. When outdoors, try open shade or softly blurred foliage for a dreamy, natural feel.
5. Engage with Your Subject
A great portrait captures emotion—and that starts with connection.
🎤 Break the Ice: Chat with your subject before and during the session. A genuine conversation can ease nerves and lead to more relaxed expressions.
🧍♂️ Give Gentle Direction: Most people aren’t used to being in front of a camera. Offer positive, clear guidance on posing, hand placement, and facial expressions.
📸 Capture the Candid: Encourage movement and real laughter. Often, it’s those unplanned moments that turn into the most powerful portraits.
6. Play with Composition
Rules are made to be broken—once you’ve mastered them!
🧭 Rule of Thirds: Place the eyes along a third of the frame to create visual interest and balance.
🌌 Use Negative Space: A little breathing room around your subject can add drama and draw the viewer’s eye exactly where you want it.
📐 Change Your Angle: Don’t just shoot straight on. Try different angles—above, below, or even behind—for a unique perspective.
7. Make Use of Props and Natural Poses
Props and posing don’t have to be cheesy—they can help tell a deeper story.
🌻 Storytelling Props: A hat, a bouquet, a book—props give your subject something to do with their hands and can help them feel more natural.
🧘 Hands Matter: Awkward hands can ruin a great shot. Have your subject interact with something or gently pose their hands to create graceful lines.
🪞 Keep It Comfortable: Aim for poses that feel natural, relaxed, and expressive of the person’s personality.
8. Nail Your Camera Settings
Your gear is only as good as your settings. Here’s what to keep in mind:
🔘 Aperture: For a creamy, blurred background, shoot wide (f/1.8 to f/4).
⏱️ Shutter Speed: Use at least 1/100s to avoid blur. Increase to 1/250 or more for movement or lower light.
🌒 ISO: Keep it low (100–400) to avoid grain. In darker settings, you can increase it—but always watch for noise.
9. Edit for a Polished, Professional Look
Editing isn’t about changing your subject—it’s about enhancing the beauty that’s already there.
🛠️ Basic Adjustments: Start with exposure, contrast, and white balance to create a balanced base.
👩🎨 Retouch Gently: Light skin smoothing and blemish removal go a long way. Keep it natural—avoid over-editing.
🎨 Enhance Selectively: Boost eye color, deepen shadows, or add a soft vignette to draw attention to your subject.
Final Thoughts
Portrait photography is part technical, part creative, and all about connection. It’s about seeing your subject—really seeing them—and knowing how to translate that into a frame that says something real.
At Deborah Longmore Photography, we believe the best portraits come from a mix of skill, storytelling, and heart. Whether you’re photographing a quiet family moment or an expressive solo portrait, these tips will help you create images that feel as meaningful as they look.
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Ready to Book Your Portrait Photography Session?
👉 Contact Deborah Longmore Photography or book via the online calender today to check availability and reserve your due date.
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