4 Simple Tips for Better Studio Portrait Photography

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Article: description: Studio portrait photography is much more than having a subject sit on a stool in front of a backdrop. In this guide, learn four critical tips to improve the quality of your studio portraits!
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Photo by Carlos David via iStock

 I enjoy studio portrait photography quite a bit because of the control it gives me over almost everything in professional portrait photography. I will pass on a few studio portrait photography tips to help you have better results.

 Read on!

Table of Contents:

Why I Like Studio Portrait Photography

Photo by PeopleImages via iStock 

Landscape photography was, is, and always will be my primary joy in photography, but professional portrait photography is right up there in enjoyment level. There’s on-location portrait photography, environmental portrait photography, and studio portrait photography. 

Any of these genres of portraiture can involve multiple people or just one person. Studio portrait photography can encompass headshots, ¾ or full-length, couples, families, and glamor photography.

One of the aspects of studio portrait photography I enjoy is that I have most of the process under my control. I can have a lighting configuration, backdrop, and props set up and ready to go before the subject shows up.  

I can even have many of the adjustments preset, simplifying the workflow. About all that’s left is wardrobe, makeup, and posing. Those things, too, can be simplified in a studio setting.

#1 Tip: Keep It Comfortable!

Photo by cynoclub via iStock

My personal number one tip for studio portrait photography is to keep the subject comfortable. This involves the ambient temperature, hot or cold, and having someplace for the subjects to sit while waiting. 

Some photographers like to have their music volume pumped way up, which is fine for their style of professional portrait photography. I prefer to have music at a lower level, if on at all. This lets me direct the subject, and they usually feel at ease with responding themselves.

Studio Portrait Photography Lighting

Photo by wavebreakmedia via iStock

Also related to comfort, while I still have studio strobes, I gravitate to the cool operating LED panel lights more often. For children and pets, strobes can be startling, and using LED lights keeps the temperature from getting uncomfortable.  

Being able to leave everything up in my own studio allows me to quickly change up portrait lighting configurations from one to another, such as from Rembrandt lighting to High Key lighting or soft romantic lighting.

Have a look at this informative YouTube video about studio lighting for portraits by Jiggie Alejandrino:

The same ideas relate to small product photography and videography, such as vlogs or training videos. There are many portrait lighting tips already published on PhotographyTalk that can give you detailed ideas.

Studio Portrait Photography Posing

Photo by Diamond Dogs via iStock

After lighting, focus, and exposure, posing is the next important part of studio portrait photography. I have two rules about posing. Keep the subject comfortable about the process and use a posing guide. 

Allowing the portrait subject to have a say in their own posing can result in very natural and relaxed portrait images. The posing guide helps me as a photographer because I can’t always remember everything. A posing guide does some of the heavy lifting for me and the subject.

Selling Professional Portrait Photography Products

The result of the above studio portrait photography tips is some images the client likes and will order prints. 

Besides the wallet-sized photos to hand out and enlargements on canvas, acrylic, metal, or fine art paper to hang up as wall art, I found that many studio portrait photography clients like a hardcover or softcover photo book.

Photo Book Press makes excellent photo books that can be ordered as a stand-alone product or as part of a photography package. I like having reasonably priced photo books for my portrait clients.

The professional online printing company Photo Book Press makes very high-quality photo books and makes acrylic photo prints, photo calendars, and all manner of greeting cards. Check them out for fulfilling orders from your next studio portrait photography sitting.

Try these studio portrait photography tips to improve your portraits and add extra profit to your sittings. I’m sure your professional portrait photography workflow will also improve, making it easier for everyone to be pleased with the process and the images.

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