Top Photography Tips for Shooting Better Portraits in 2020
Have you ever been a bit daunted before shooting portraits for a new client?
Well, we’ve been there too.
And for better or worse, we’ve done our fair share of swirling down the Pinterest rabbit hole. But here’s the truth: the only way to get more comfortable behind the camera is to get behind the camera.
So here are our top tips for shooting portraits in 2020 from some of our favorite sessions that have come through Realm in our first year.
These tips will help you and your clients be more at ease, while have fun, getting the most out of your session.
Photo by Alex Rae for Tracy Pacana
1. Incorporate Movement
Portrait sessions are all about capturing the personality of your subject, but sometimes it takes a while for people to warm up to the camera. So our top tip for getting your client to loosen up is easy:
Start with movement
Movement is a great way for your subject to let their guard down and start to feel comfortable in front of the camera.
Ask your subject to do a quick spin in that flowy dress, flip their hair or simply walk toward you.
Photos by One Lady Studio for Rae Barber Photography
And it doesn’t have to stop there.
We love what Joslyn did in the below shot of having Rae throw her hat toward the camera, so play with what you have on hand.
And don’t be fooled into thinking this was completed in just one shot!
Repeat!
That’s right—encourage your client to go through the movement a few times to get a number of images to choose from. These are all easy ways to get those portrait jitters out and bring out a genuine smile.
2. Get Creative with Props
Before your session, get to know your client a little bit better.
Do they have any hobbies, passions or secret talents?
Odds are yes!
Capturing moments of someone doing what they genuinely love brings out a joy that is palpable in your end product images.
Remember what we said earlier about making your client comfortable? This is another great way to do that.
Photos by One Lady Studio for Keep Floral
Joslyn capitalized on Bethany’s love of florals and calligraphy skills for an interactive shoot full of color, emotion and pure joy.
And we love the way she incorporated Bethany’s finished floral piece for a more traditional portrait.
Let’s be honest, this tip is a win-win for all involved.
3. Explore Seated Positions
The most frequent question we get from clients during portrait sessions is:
“but what do I do with my hands!??”
Getting your client into a seated pose takes some of the pressure off and helps your client feel more at ease. But that doesn’t mean that seated poses come completely naturally.
Use these photos by Alex as inspiration on how to create interesting body flow and lines within your composition.
Photos by Alex Rae for Tracy Pacana
If you’re using a chair, set it at a 45 degree angle instead of shooting straight on. This immediately adds more lines and interest to your image. And we love the unconventional way that Tracy is seated.
But if you don’t have a chair, it’s not a problem. Seated positions on the floor can be just as cozy.
Photo by Alex Rae for Tracy Pacana
4. Focus in on Details
Requesting that your clients wear some of their favorite clothing & jewelry pieces is a great way to open the door to detail shots, which can add a lot of variety to your final gallery that you deliver.
In between getting traditional portraits, focus in on a necklace, rings, bracelet, or even a tattoo.
Photos by Clancey
We love the emotion that Clancey captured in these simple shots just by focusing on these understated gold pieces.
You can also use this opportunity to lower your depth of field and really focus in on the details.
5. Encourage Couples to Get Cozy
Couple portrait sessions are trending more on the intimate side than is strictly traditional, and we are here for it.
While this is all about how comfortable your couples are in front of the camera, something as simple as getting snuggly on the couch can unleash something truly special.
Photos by Kimberly Mitiska for Matison Card
The key to these intimate shots is the love that is buzzing between them and we think Kimberly captured it perfectly.
A great tip is having your couple lie down and face each other and shoot them overhead.
It removes the distraction of the camera and can let your couple just have a moment.
Be sure to incorporate these tips in your 2020 sessions and let us know what your favorite portrait poses are by tagging us on instagram (@realmdenver).
