There are dozens, perhaps even hundreds of portrait photography tips.
With so many things to learn and keep in mind when you're starting out in portrait photography, it can be easy to get overwhelmed.
With that in mind, I've created a list of four things you need to know as a beginner.
Let's get started!
They Don't Always Have to Smile
The great thing about portraiture is that you can capture so many different emotions with your camera.
Though we tend to think of smiling faces when we think of portraits, don't get locked into the notion that your subject has to be smiling.
As an aside, don't think that all your portraits have to be posed, either!
Instead, look for natural, candid moments in which you can capture joy and happiness, thoughtfulness and even sadness in your photos.
Get a Backdrop
I'll be the first to admit that when I think of portrait backdrops I think of those cheesy ones from the 1980s that are in so many of my family portraits growing up.
But today's backdrops aren't the same...
Not only are today's backdrops beautifully designed to give your portraits a modern, sophisticated look, but they're also incredibly affordable.
That means that you don't have to be a professional photographer in order to afford great looking backdrops for your photos!
When it comes to the best backdrops on the market, it's hard to beat Click Props.
They have a wide-ranging selection of backdrops (over 200 of them!) that allows you to select a few backdrops to give your portraits a distinct look.
Whether its a gentleman's portrait in a library, a kid's portrait in front of a graffiti-filled wall or lady's portrait in front of a forest scene, Click Props has what you need to fulfill your creative vision.
Better yet, their backdrops are made of heavy-duty vinyl, so they stand up to wear and tear. They're also easy to wipe down and clean, and roll up easily for quick storage and retrieval.
Click Props even has floorgrounds to choose from, so you can complete the look for your at-home portrait studio.
In other words, backdrops are one of the best ways to elevate the quality of your photos from amateur to professional-looking, and now you can get those backdrops without breaking the bank.
No matter if you want to photograph newborns or children, fashion photography or senior portraits, or something in between, the backgrounds from Click Props allow you to do so in a way that adds elegance to each shot.
See the variety of backgrounds available in the video above.
Learn More:
- Get the Specs and Pricing on Backdrops from Click Props
- Portrait Photography Tip: A Guide to Backdrops
Frame the Subject in the Shot
One of the keys to a successful portrait is ensuring that the viewer's eyes go straight to the portrait subject.
Often, this can be accomplished by having the subject maintain eye contact with the lens of your camera, that way they appear to be looking right out of the image and directly at the viewer.
But another way to help direct the viewer's attention to the portrait subject is to incorporate a frame within a frame.
A frame within a frame is also an opportunity to give the portrait much more depth.
By including a frame in the foreground, like a window or doorway, you help define the space and give it more dimension.
But you don't have to use objects as overt as a window or a doorway to frame your portrait subject.
Tree branches or foliage in the foreground of the shot, areas of light and shadow, and even the portrait subjects hands can be used to create an interesting frame as well.
Try Capturing Movement
A problem with some portraits is that they look so static, as though the subject is stuck in that moment in time.
To create a more interesting portrait, try to capture movement.
You can freeze movement and show the person in mid-motion, or you can slow the shutter speed down and present something that blurs the motion of the person.
Either way, you're giving viewers something more exciting to look at.
Not only that, but by introducing movement into the shot you have an opportunity to create a portrait that's perhaps a little more authentic feeling.
That is, instead of the subject standing straight and looking right at the camera, by capturing motion, the photo feels more like you've photographed a natural moment that's a window into the person's life.
It might seem like a small thing to do - really, all of these tips are pretty straightforward - but they can have a profound impact on how your portraits look.