25 PRO WAYS TO SHOOT BETTER PORTRAITS
Photography week|December 16, 2021
From lighting to learning how to work with models, improve your people and camera skills with these top tips from five expert photographers
25 PRO WAYS TO SHOOT BETTER PORTRAITS

Are you a photographer who struggles to capture professional-looking portraits? While creating stunning portraits is harder than it looks, to some extent there’s a basic recipe for success: if you match a decent portrait lens with an intriguing subject and the right background, you’ll get some great shots. However, for the best results, you also need to add your own ingredients. Find your own eye and way of shooting – an element that makes your portraits unique, such as an angle, editing treatment or use of props – and you’ll soon be on your way to pleasing clients and shooting professional, individual results.

There’s no better way to learn how to shoot like a pro than by learning from one, so we asked five portrait photographers to share their kit, tips and techniques. For portraits, you need to nail the camera handling and settings at the same time as creating a rapport with your subject.Your job is to make your subjects feel comfortable, and to direct them in order to get the results that both you and they are looking for.

Over the next few pages you’ll discover 25 ways to take your portrait photography to the next level. You’ll learn how to choose your kit, how to select focal lengths for maximum impact, how to set the scene indoors and out, and the optimum camera settings to use. Read on, and you’ll be shooting stunning portraits in no time.

HOLLY WREN

A commercial advertising photographer specialising in portraits and lifestyle imagery, Holly shares her tips for success @holly_wren www.hollywren.com

01 RESEARCH YOUR SUBJECT

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM PHOTOGRAPHY WEEKView all
CALIBRATE YOUR COLOURS
Photography week

CALIBRATE YOUR COLOURS

James Paterson reveals how he captures stunningly colourful sunsets by using this secret weapon

time-read
1 min  |
September 26, 2024
ABSTRACT PORTRAITS
Photography week

ABSTRACT PORTRAITS

Mike Harris shows you how to use slow shutter speeds and multiple exposures to capture a series of motion-blur portraits

time-read
3 mins  |
September 26, 2024
BREATHTAKNG IMAGES FROM ABOVE AND BELOW THE WAVES
Photography week

BREATHTAKNG IMAGES FROM ABOVE AND BELOW THE WAVES

A final hit of inspiraton: Ocean Photographer of the Year reveals stunning winning photos

time-read
1 min  |
September 26, 2024
THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO AUTUMN
Photography week

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO AUTUMN

James Abbott reveals the secrets to capturing amazing images during the most eye-catching season of the year

time-read
2 mins  |
September 26, 2024
CANON UNVEILS NEW PORTABLE, FULLY-WIRELESS PHOTO PRINTER
Photography week

CANON UNVEILS NEW PORTABLE, FULLY-WIRELESS PHOTO PRINTER

The Selphy QX20 is ideal for quickly printing your smartphone snaps on the go

time-read
1 min  |
September 26, 2024
FUJINON GF120MM F4 MACRO R LM OIS WR
Photography week

FUJINON GF120MM F4 MACRO R LM OIS WR

This powerful medium-format lens is ideally suited to extreme close-ups

time-read
4 mins  |
September 12, 2024
HOW TO...CLEAN UP A SCENE WITH AI
Photography week

HOW TO...CLEAN UP A SCENE WITH AI

James Paterson shows you how the AI-powered Remove Tool can revolutionise your retouching

time-read
1 min  |
September 12, 2024
SHOOT AN '80S PORTRAIT
Photography week

SHOOT AN '80S PORTRAIT

Jason Parnell-Brookes recreates the neon look of the 1980s using torches and hollow acrylic rods

time-read
4 mins  |
September 12, 2024
THE BEST MONOCHROME IMAGE OF 2024 IS A REAL CRACKER
Photography week

THE BEST MONOCHROME IMAGE OF 2024 IS A REAL CRACKER

Black and White Photo Awards announces stunning selection of winning images

time-read
1 min  |
September 12, 2024
88 TIPS FOR GREAT BABY PHOTOS
Photography week

88 TIPS FOR GREAT BABY PHOTOS

From lighting to posing and pacifying, here's how you get the perfect shot

time-read
10+ mins  |
September 12, 2024