| If you want to discover secrets that professional | | | | setup. Take some test shots and make any |
| portrait photographers use to take better photos, | | | | adjustments you feel are necessary. |
| keep reading. In this article I will let you in on some | | | | For outdoor portraits, make sure you have the |
| quick tips that can immediately improve your shots | | | | location(s) already picked out. Again, take some test |
| and help make your subjects look amazing. | | | | shots, but keep in mind that lighting conditions could |
| One of the most important tips is also the easiest to | | | | change and be prepared for that as well. |
| implement... keep it simple! Some of the best portraits | | | | When you're prepared for the photo session, you |
| consist of the subject and not much else. You | | | | help speed up the process for your subject. This |
| increase the risk of taking back shots when you try | | | | helps keep them fresh for the shots. Your photos will |
| to do too much with a photograph. | | | | come out much better if the person in them looks |
| For example, stay away from distracting | | | | happy and awake, not annoyed with bags under their |
| backgrounds. By keeping the background uncluttered, | | | | eyes! |
| you keep the focus on the person in the photo. | | | | Finally, try taking your photos at an angle slightly |
| That's what most important anyway. | | | | below or above the subjects eye line. You've |
| If there is anything in the background, you should use | | | | probably noticed professional photographers bending |
| depth of field to blur the background and have only | | | | their knees when taking photos, right? This isn't |
| the subject in focus. | | | | because they're too tall! This angle usually creates |
| You should also keep your lighting simple as well. Use | | | | more interest as well as being more flattering on the |
| natural light when possible. If you have to use artificial | | | | subject. |
| light, like when you take photos indoors, use as few | | | | Also try taking the photo from a slightly elevated |
| lights as possible. Obviously you don't want to take a | | | | position. This forces your subject to raise their head |
| dark photograph, but you don't want to complicate | | | | slightly and reduces the dreaded double chin look. |
| things by having too many lights setup. | | | | After reading this article you should be able to take |
| Speaking of setup, it's always a good idea to have | | | | better looking portraits. Just remember to keep it |
| the shot setup before your subject arrives. Things | | | | simple, be prepared by setting up the shot first, and |
| always go a lot more smoothly when you're | | | | try taking shots slightly above or below the subjects |
| prepared. If you're planning on taking the shot | | | | eye line. If you follow these simple rules you'll have |
| indoors, have your camera and your lights already | | | | more success! |