Portrait Photography

Here are a few tips for better "do it yourself" portrait photography. If you live in the Sydney area and are considering family photography (including babies, kids, pregnancy and maternity) or any other type of portrait photography, please visit us at:

www.photoprofessionals.com.au/portrait-photographers.htm

Getting your subject ready for the portrait shoot:

• Make the body and head face opposite directions.
• For male subjects: Head towards far shoulder.
• Female subjects: Head toward near shoulder.

Hands:

• Only show finger edges, not the flat part of the hand/
• Fingers should be facing away from camera
• Curve fingers a bit.
• Male hands should be closed, female should be open.
• Use opposing diagonals: ie head resting on arm; each pointing in opposite directions.
• Fingers should not be intertwined.
• Don't  rest a head on a clenched fist. It looks too aggressive.

During the portrait session:

• Do the head shots first - while your subject is still fresh. 
• Next let the subject pose naturally without instructions from you.
• Lastly do three quarter shots. Full body portraits rarely come out well.
•  For group portraits, make the group either touch hands or "overlap" each other
• Group members ideally should have similarly toned cloths, i.e. warm or cold.
• Place brightly clothed individuals in the middle.
• Position couples face to face and/or touching to convey intimacy.
• Stagger head heights.
• Pose men to the right of the frame, women to the left.
• Use negative space around couples to make the eyes focus on the subject.

Happy shooting and speak soon,

Joe