^{photo by CoffeeAndMilk via iStock}

Getting better at portrait photography requires a lot of time, practice, and patience.

But that doesn’t mean that you have to spend hours every day practicing portraits…

Instead, there are plenty of portrait photography techniques you can try - and master - in just a few minutes time.

Let’s have a look at a few of my favorite quick, yet impactful techniques for taking better portraits.

Portrait Photography Technique #1: Get a Better Background 

^{photo by Caralee Case}

Though the person you’re photographing is obviously the most important thing in a portrait, the background is important as well.

Think of it like a necklace or cufflinks that give an outfit that extra bit of pop…

If you get it right, the shot will be that much more visually appealing. Get it wrong, and the background can become a distraction.

photo by Caralee Case

Of course, the keys to getting a beautiful background is knowing where to look and getting a background that’s well made and will last you for a good, long while.

For that, Intuition Backgrounds is a fine place to start. 

^{photo by Patty Othon}

They have an incredible inventory - over 700 designs - that includes solid colors, hand-painted options, floral designs, and just about anything else you can think of.

Get the perfect background for you portraits.

You can choose from canvas backgrounds, poly backgrounds, fabric backgrounds, and several others as well.

^{photo by Sujata Setia}

That combination of designs and materials means you can find the perfect background to help you capture the perfect portrait.

And it takes next to no time to get your background, too! Just hop on their website, check out their catalog of backdrops, and place your order. You’ll have a gorgeous backdrop in your hot little hands in a couple of weeks. 

^{photo by Caralee Case}

Better still, you can outfit your portrait studio with mats, props, and other goodies to complete the look.

Just like a high-quality backdrop will help enhance your portraits, having the right floor and a few props can elevate your portraits to the next level.

What are you waiting for?! Better portraits await at Intuition Backgrounds!

Learn More:

• 10 Tips for Studio Portraits
• Best Camera Settings for Portrait Photography

Portrait Photography Technique #2: Natural Light is Where It’s At 

^{photo by Capuski via iStock} 

Not everyone has a portrait studio at their disposal, nor do all photographers have the lighting gear needed for portraits taken indoors.

Luckily, natural light is a great alternative (and free!) that can be far more flattering in a portrait anyway.

The key is to either shoot early in the morning or late in the evening to capitalize on the soft, warm light of Golden Hour to give your photos a beautifully soft look.

As you can see above, there’s no harsh shadows on the model’s face to distract the eye - just gorgeously even light.

^{photo by ljubaphoto via iStock} 

If you’re shooting indoors, simply position the model in front of a window to make use of the natural lighting coming into the space.

Beware that you might need to soften the light to prevent deep shadows, but that’s easy to do by hanging a sheer curtain or even a white sheet in front of the window.

Either way, without all that much effort or time, you can use natural light to enhance your photos and make your models look that much better!

Learn More:

• How to Take Portraits at Golden Hour
• A Guide to the Perfect Portrait

Portrait Photography Technique: Add Another Person 

 

^{photo by Anchiy via iStock} 

Not everyone is comfortable in front of the camera, so if you find that the person you’re photographing is a little nervous or stiff-looking, introduce another person into the shot.

Having another person in the shot means that there’s less pressure on them to “perform” for the camera.

That is, rather than having to stand there with a forced smile, having a family member or friend alongside can introduce more candid moments into the scene.

Whether they’re laughing, holding hands, looking into one another’s eyes, or something in between, the resulting photo will likely be far more emotive - and relaxed-looking as well.

^{photo by PeopleImages via iStock} 

Alternatively, you can introduce props into the portrait, as many people feel more comfortable with something in their hands.

What causes many portraits to fail is that they just look too stiff and posed. By introducing a prop or another person, you can avoid that problem, and it only takes a moment to do so!

Learn More:

• Innovative Portrait Photography Tips You Need to Use Today
• Photography Terms Every Beginner Should Know