Introduction: Beyond the Surface

The difference between a good portrait and a great one often has little to do with technical perfection. While sharp focus, proper exposure, and flattering light are important, the most compelling portraits reveal something meaningful about the subject—a glimpse of their personality, an authentic emotion, or a story that resonates with viewers.

The challenge for portrait photographers lies not just in mastering camera settings and lighting techniques, but in connecting with subjects, making them comfortable, and capturing moments of genuine expression rather than staged poses. Whether you're photographing professional models, family members, or clients, these ten tips will help you create portraits that engage viewers and authentically represent your subjects.

1. Build Rapport Before Building Images

The most important work in portrait photography often happens before you even pick up your camera. Building a connection with your subject creates the foundation for authentic portraits.

How to Build Rapport

• Start with Conversation: Begin the session by talking with your subject about their interests, experiences, or the story behind the portrait session. Listen actively and show genuine interest.
• Share Something About Yourself: Make the interaction two-way by sharing appropriate personal details or stories that help the subject see you as a person, not just a photographer.
• Address Anxieties: Many people feel uncomfortable being photographed. Acknowledge this openly and reassure them that you'll guide them through the process.
• Demonstrate Your Process: Show your subject some preliminary shots and explain what you're seeing and why you're making certain choices. This transparency builds trust.

With particularly nervous subjects, consider spending the first 10-15 minutes just talking while occasionally taking casual shots to help them acclimate to the camera. These "warm-up" images often capture natural expressions as the person becomes more comfortable.

2. Master the Art of Direction

Many subjects, especially those without modeling experience, need guidance on how to pose. The key is providing clear direction while maintaining a relaxed atmosphere.

Effective Direction Techniques

• Use Simple, Specific Instructions: Rather than saying "look natural" (which often produces the opposite effect), give concrete guidance like "turn your shoulders slightly toward the window" or "tilt your chin down just a bit."
• Demonstrate Poses: Show rather than tell by briefly demonstrating the pose yourself. This is often clearer than verbal instructions alone.
• Direct Through Action: Instead of static poses, give subjects something to do: "Walk toward me slowly," "Adjust your collar," or "Imagine you just heard something surprising."
• Use Positive Reinforcement: When something works, provide enthusiastic feedback to encourage more of that behavior or expression.

Posing Tips for More Natural Results

• Avoid perfect symmetry; slight angles create more dynamic portraits
• Create space between arms and torso to define the body's shape
• Guide hand placement carefully—hands often look best when partially occupied (holding something, resting lightly on something)
• Remember that whatever is closest to the camera appears largest; position subjects accordingly
• Watch for tension in the shoulders, neck, and jaw—these are common areas where stress appears

3. Focus on the Eyes

The saying that "eyes are the windows to the soul" holds particular truth in portrait photography. Eye contact creates an immediate connection between the subject and the viewer.

Technical Considerations for Eyes

• Sharp Focus: Unless you're deliberately breaking this rule for creative effect, ensure the eyes are tack-sharp. Use single-point autofocus positioned on the eye closest to the camera.
• Catchlights: These small reflections of your light source in the eyes bring portraits to life. Position your subject to ensure pleasing catchlights—natural window light, reflectors, or soft artificial light all work well.
• Eye Level: Shooting from slightly above eye level is often flattering, but experiment with different angles to convey different emotions or power dynamics.

Directing Eye Expression

Beyond technical considerations, work with your subject to achieve various eye expressions:

• Direct eye contact with the camera creates an intimate connection with viewers
• Looking slightly off-camera can convey contemplation or create a more candid feel
• Looking toward a light source can create dramatic eye illumination
• Partially closed eyes can convey emotions ranging from contentment to sensuality

If your subject struggles with eye expression, try giving them something specific to think about rather than focusing on the eyes themselves. Ask them to recall a specific memory or imagine a particular scenario relevant to the mood you're trying to capture.

4. Capture Authentic Expressions

A genuine smile or thoughtful gaze will always be more compelling than a forced expression. The challenge is helping subjects move beyond the "camera face" many people automatically adopt when photographed.

Techniques for Evoking Natural Expressions

• Keep the Conversation Flowing: Talk continuously during the session, asking questions or sharing observations to distract from self-consciousness.
• Use Prompts Instead of Posing: Rather than saying "smile," try prompts like "think about the last time you laughed so hard you cried" or "imagine you just saw an old friend across the room."
• Capture the In-Between Moments: Some of the most authentic expressions happen between posed shots or while you're adjusting settings. Keep your finger near the shutter to catch these fleeting moments.
• Work with Micro-Expressions: Sometimes subtle expressions are more powerful than obvious ones. A slight smile, a raised eyebrow, or a thoughtful gaze can convey depth and authenticity.

Expression Exercise

Try this technique with subjects who struggle with natural expressions: Ask them to express an emotion dramatically, then gradually tone it down. For example, have them laugh out loud, then let it fade naturally to a smile. Often, the transition points capture the most authentic expressions.

5. Consider Environmental Context

Environmental portraits place subjects in meaningful settings that reveal something about who they are, what they do, or what they value. These contextual elements add narrative depth to portraits.

Choosing Meaningful Environments

• Workspaces: Capturing people in their professional environments tells a story about their skills, passions, and daily life.
• Personal Spaces: Homes, studios, or favorite locations reveal personality and priorities.
• Significant Locations: Places with personal meaning create portraits with emotional resonance.
• Contrasting Environments: Sometimes placing subjects in unexpected settings creates intriguing visual stories.

Balancing Subject and Environment

When incorporating environmental elements, consider:

• Using depth of field to control how much emphasis the environment receives
• Positioning subjects so background elements complement rather than distract
• Incorporating environmental details as framing devices
• Using environment colors that complement the subject's clothing and coloring
• Ensuring the environment supports the portrait's narrative rather than competing with it

Even with studio portraits, thoughtfully chosen props or backdrops can provide context that enhances the portrait's story and the subject's personality.

6. Master Flattering Light

Lighting shapes mood, texture, and dimension in portraits. Understanding how different lighting scenarios affect facial features helps you make conscious choices that flatter your subject.

Classic Lighting Patterns

• Loop Lighting: Creates a small shadow of the nose on the cheek; versatile and flattering for most face shapes
• Rembrandt Lighting: Characterized by a triangle of light on the cheek opposite the light source; adds drama and dimension
• Butterfly/Paramount Lighting: Light positioned above and directly in front of the subject, creating a butterfly-shaped shadow under the nose; flattering for defined cheekbones
• Split Lighting: Illuminates half the face while leaving the other in shadow; creates dramatic, moody portraits
• Broad and Short Lighting: Broad lights the side of the face toward the camera (widening appearance), while short lights the side away from the camera (slimming appearance)

Practical Lighting Tips

• Window light is one of the most accessible and flattering light sources for portraits
• Position subjects to minimize shadows in eye sockets (usually by having them face toward the light)
• Use reflectors to fill shadows and add catchlights
• Be mindful of how light affects skin texture—harder light emphasizes texture, while softer light minimizes it
• For outdoor portraits, seek open shade or schedule sessions during golden hour

Remember that "flattering" doesn't always mean soft and shadowless. Sometimes more dramatic lighting better serves the portrait's purpose, especially for character studies or editorial work.

7. Direct the Gaze with Composition

Thoughtful composition guides viewers through your portrait, emphasizing important elements and creating visual interest. While rules like the rule of thirds provide useful starting points, compelling portraits often come from understanding when and how to apply or break these guidelines.

Portrait Composition Techniques

• Framing: Use environmental elements to create natural frames around your subject
• Leading Lines: Incorporate lines that direct attention toward your subject's face
• Negative Space: Strategic use of empty space can emphasize your subject and create mood
• Rule of Thirds: Placing eyes along the upper third line often creates balanced portraits
• Breaking the Rules: Center composition can create powerful, direct portraits, especially with symmetrical faces or direct gazes

Looking Room and Gaze Direction

When your subject is looking within the frame (not at the camera), provide "looking room" in the direction of their gaze. This creates balance and visual flow while avoiding the feeling that they're staring at the edge of the frame.

Creative Framing Options

• Extremely tight crops that focus on just the eyes or face
• Wide environmental shots that place the subject in context
• Partial frames that create intrigue through what they don't show
• Unconventional angles that provide fresh perspectives

8. Pay Attention to Details

Small details can make or break a portrait. Training yourself to notice and address these elements before pressing the shutter will significantly improve your portraits.

Details to Monitor

• Clothing and Accessories: Check for awkward wrinkles, tags showing, or distracting patterns
• Hair: Watch for stray hairs, especially around the face, and be mindful of how wind affects hair during outdoor sessions
• Skin: Notice temporary blemishes, shine on the forehead or nose, or makeup that needs touching up
• Background Elements: Scan the entire frame for distractions like poles appearing to grow from heads, bright spots, or unintentional photobombers
• Posture: Check for slouching shoulders, tense neck muscles, or awkward limb positions

The Detail Check Routine

Develop a systematic scan before important shots:

1. Start with the face (expression, hair, makeup)
2. Check the body position and posture
3. Examine clothing and accessories
4. Scan the entire frame for background distractions
5. Take a test shot and review it for anything you missed

Consider bringing a small kit with items like hairspray, safety pins, lint roller, and oil-absorbing sheets to address common issues during portrait sessions.

9. Create Series and Variation

A strong portrait session delivers variety rather than multiple versions of the same image. Planning for variation creates a richer narrative and gives your subject options that capture different aspects of their personality.

Elements to Vary

• Expression: Capture a range from serious to joyful, thoughtful to energetic
• Framing: Mix close-ups, mid-shots, and wider environmental portraits
• Pose: Include seated, standing, leaning, and movement-based poses
• Lighting: If possible, work with different lighting setups or locations
• Perspective: Shoot from different angles and heights

Planning for Variation

Before the session, create a shot list that incorporates different elements. For example:

• Close-up with soft window light and contemplative expression
• Three-quarter length environmental portrait showing context
• Profile with dramatic side lighting
• Action shots capturing the subject in motion
• Black and white artistic portraits with stronger contrast

Consider creating mini-stories or themes within your session that naturally lead to variation while maintaining coherence in the overall collection.

10. Edit with Intention

Post-processing is an extension of your creative vision for the portrait. Thoughtful editing enhances the story and mood while maintaining the authentic essence of your subject.

Portrait Editing Principles

• Enhance, Don't Reinvent: Aim to enhance your subject's natural features rather than completely changing their appearance
• Maintain Skin Texture: Avoid over-smoothing skin that removes natural texture and creates an artificial look
• Guide Attention: Use subtle vignetting, dodging and burning, or clarity adjustments to direct the viewer's eye to important elements
• Color Harmony: Develop a cohesive color palette that supports the portrait's mood and complements your subject
• Consistency: Maintain a consistent editing style across a series of portraits from the same session

Common Portrait Editing Adjustments

• Selective brightening of eyes and teeth (without making them unnaturally white)
• Gentle skin retouching that preserves texture while reducing temporary blemishes
• Subtle dodging and burning to enhance facial structure
• Color grading that complements skin tones
• Cropping to refine composition

Ethical Considerations

Portrait editing raises important ethical questions about beauty standards and representation. Consider:

• Discussing editing expectations with subjects before the session
• Being transparent about your editing approach
• Distinguishing between temporary (a blemish) and permanent features
• Considering how your editing choices might contribute to or challenge problematic beauty standards