Let's face it.
There are a lot of elements that factor into portrait photography.
You have to think about lighting and posing, props and wardrobe, the setting in which the photos are taken, and that's just the start.
It can be a little overwhelming, for sure.
But with these three simple portrait photography tips for stunning portraits, you'll have a few tools at your disposal for taking portraits that shine.
Editor's Tip: Elevate your portraits with these sophisticated wardrobe choices.
Overexpose on Purpose
Though it's usually prudent to expose a portrait properly, there are occasions when overexposing it can actually help you get a better look.
An overexposed image creates a bright, clean portrait that has a simplicity about it that's hard not to like.
In the image above, for example, the abundance of white in the shot makes this portrait look and feel fresh and airy, even though it's an indoor shot.
Notice how this image isn't wildly overexposed, either - just areas near the window and outside the window are slightly brighter than they should be.
In this example, the majority of the photo is well-exposed, but the background is blown out.
Again, though this is usually not what you want to do, in this case, it works beautifully.
By overexposing the highlights in the background, our attention stays more focused on the beautiful mom-to-be.
Learn More:
- These Three Tricks Will Help You Create Beautiful Portraits
- 11 Gorgeous Mommy & Me Photos (and Tips for Taking Them Yourself)
Add Elegance With the Wardrobe
I get that not all portraits are planned and that there will be times when you just want a snapshot of your kids or a friend.
However, when you're taking more formal portraits, one way to ratchet up the sophistication is by adding elegance with the wardrobe choices.
In the image above, for example, you can see how this couple is in a pretty casual setting. What's more, their poses are also very laid-back.
But by dressing the couple in elegant clothing, the feeling of the shot is immediately elevated to another level.
That's particularly the case for the woman in the shot, whose stunning gown is nothing short of a showstopper.
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Depth of Field is Paramount for Portrait Photography
If you're wondering how to take better portraits, you must consider the depth of field and what you have to do to get the depth of field you want given the type of portrait you're taking.
For a full body portrait like the one above, you'll be further away from the model. Since the distance between your camera and the model is one of the factors that influences the depth of field (in this case, the further away from the model, the deeper the depth of field), you have to counteract that to keep the background blurry.
So, as you move further away from the model, use a larger aperture (like f/1.8) or a longer focal length lens (like 85mm) to maintain a blurry background.
Of course, not all portrait photography requires a blurry background.
In the image above, the photographer is close to the model, which is a factor that minimizes depth of field. But the background is also very close to the model, which is a factor that maximizes the depth of field.
Since the flowers add so much beautiful texture, you'd want them to be sharp in the photo, so using a smaller aperture than normal, say f/4, combined with the nearness of the background will help you keep those elements in sharp focus.
With that, you have three surefire portrait photography tips to get you started. Use each one, and see what they can do to improve your portraits!
Learn More:
- 9 Can’t-Miss Portrait Photography Tips That Will Help You Create Better Portraits Today
- Easy Natural Light Portrait Photography Tips
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