Portrait photography can be tricky, especially when it comes to capturing authentic expressions and emotions. It’s not just about your camera settings; it’s also about how you interact with your subject, the environment, and the mood you create. In fact, being able to put your subject at ease and make thoughtful choices in framing and lighting are what separate good portraits from great ones.
Coming to you from Karl Taylor with Visual Education, this insightful video covers five key tips for creating powerful portrait photography. One of the first things Taylor discusses is the importance of making your subject feel comfortable. If they’re nervous or uneasy, it’s much harder to capture their true personality. You need to take the time to chat with them, explain the shoot’s creative direction, and make them feel like an active participant in the process. This helps build trust, leading to better, more natural results. Taylor’s advice here is especially valuable because it highlights how your interpersonal skills can make or break a session.
Another critical takeaway from the video is how to approach your shooting angle. Taylor explains that where you place the camera relative to the subject can completely change the feel of the portrait. Shooting from a low angle might give a sense of power, while a slightly higher angle can make the subject’s face appear more open and inviting. This isn’t just about experimenting on the spot—Taylor emphasizes the importance of thinking ahead about the story you want to tell and using angles to reinforce that narrative. It’s clear from this point that being intentional with your choices elevates your work beyond simple snapshots.
Another useful tip from the video is about selecting the right aperture. Taylor suggests that this should be one of the first decisions you make, as it directly affects the depth of field and, ultimately, the look of your final image. If you're shooting a beauty portrait, you’ll likely want a smaller aperture, like f/11, to keep most of the face in sharp focus. For a softer look, you might opt for something like f/4. Taylor’s advice here underscores the importance of being deliberate with your technical choices to ensure your creative vision is realized. That's just the start, so check out the video above for the full rundown from Taylor.
If you would like to continue learning about the art of portraiture, be sure to check out our range of tutorials on the subject in the Fstoppers store.
