| Many photographers view portraiture as one of the | | | | engagement photo take the couple to a place that |
| most challenging styles of photography. The intricate | | | | they like to spend time together like the park or the |
| art of capturing people and their personalities requires | | | | beach. At every opportunity try to think outside the |
| years of study and practical experience. Of course, | | | | box to get an image that will truly stand out. |
| that doesn't mean there aren't a few things you can | | | | Use Light to Your Advantage |
| implement into your photo routine that will help push | | | | If you're trying to make your subject look natural, |
| your portraiture to the next level. Here are a few | | | | then even lighting is the best type of lighting to use |
| hints on how to create striking portraits with minimal | | | | for portraiture. However, this in no way means there |
| experience and no fancy equipment. | | | | is no other way to light a subject. Play with the |
| Go for Candid | | | | lighting and try things like only lighting part of your |
| There are lots of pictures that show a smiling subject | | | | subject or casting shadows on them to see what it |
| looking directly at the camera. Pictures like this have | | | | will do. Simple things like this can go a long way |
| their place, but they don't let the subject express | | | | towards creating memorable portraits, and you can |
| the personality. Candid photography is the art of | | | | usually accomplish them with a couple of desk lamps |
| capturing your subject when they aren't paying | | | | and a little ingenuity. |
| attention. Taking candid photos is becoming | | | | Capture Their Personality |
| increasingly more popular at weddings and other | | | | Have a conversation with your subject before you |
| events because they better reflect the actual day. | | | | shoot and try to get a bearing on "who" they are |
| What's more captivating - a picture of a mother and | | | | and what they're interested in. A portrait should tell a |
| baby staring at a camera or a mother singing to her | | | | story about what a person is on the inside as well as |
| child | | | | the outside, and these little clues can help you |
| Cover it Up | | | | formulate ideas for bringing the internal person out. |
| Another good portrait tip is to partially obscure or | | | | Once you know some things your subject likes, try |
| cover your subject for a more interesting image. This | | | | picking up a couple of related props and letting the |
| will allow you to draw more attention to certain | | | | subject incorporate them into the shoot. |
| features (hands, eyes, mouth) while forcing the | | | | Your first responsibility in portraiture is to always |
| viewer to imagine what's missing. This is also a great | | | | create photographs that show "who" a person is as |
| technique to try with color. Try giving your subject a | | | | well as what they look like. Taking portraits can be |
| brightly colored scarf and see how one prop can | | | | tricky initially, but by using these tips you'll be well on |
| open up a world of creativity. | | | | your way towards taking better portraits that your |
| Get Out of the Studio | | | | subjects will love. Do your best to understand your |
| Instead of taking a portrait in a traditional studio | | | | subject and their desires for the shoot, and don't be |
| setting, consider taking your subject to somewhere | | | | afraid to bring up some fun ideas. Keep it fun and be |
| that relates to them. For example, for an | | | | creative and your sessions will always be successful. |