Portrait Photography768 articles

Make your subjects look their best with our professional portrait photography tips, covering lighting setups, location scouting and tips for working with models.

Rembrandt Lighting: Creating Mood & Depth in Portraits

Rembrandt Lighting: Creating Mood & Depth in Portraits

Rembrandt lighting, named after the famous Dutch painter Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, is a popular lighting technique used in photography and cinematography to create a dramatic effect that draws attention to the subject’s features. This technique is characterized by an illuminated triangle under the eye of the subject, on the less illuminated side of the […]

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Shadow & Light: Split Lighting Tips for Powerful Portraits

Shadow & Light: Split Lighting Tips for Powerful Portraits

Split lighting is a popular technique in portrait photography where the light source illuminates only half of the subject’s face, creating a distinct division down the center of the face. This lighting style is dramatic and can be used to convey a range of emotions or add a sense of mystery to the portrait. Here’s […]

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Direct vs. Diffused Light in Photography

Direct vs. Diffused Light in Photography

In the world of photography, light plays a pivotal role in capturing the essence and mood of a subject. The interplay of light and shadow not only defines the structure and depth of the image but also evokes certain emotions, making understanding its nuances crucial for photographers. Among the many characteristics of light that photographers […]

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Speedlights vs. Strobes for Portrait Photography Lighting

Speedlights vs. Strobes for Portrait Photography Lighting

When it comes to portrait photography, lighting is a critical element that can make or break your images. Two popular lighting options are speedlights and strobes. Both have their unique features, benefits, and optimal use cases. Understanding the differences between them can help you choose the right lighting for your portrait photography needs. Related reminder: […]

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Flash Photography for Portraits

Flash Photography for Portraits

Are you ready to elevate your portrait photography game and master the art of flash? Whether you’re a complete beginner, a seasoned professional, or a passionate hobbyist, the comprehensive online course Flash Photography for Portraits is here to transform your approach to flash photography. Why Flash Photography for Portraits? Flash photography can seem daunting at […]

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Quick Tip for Puppy & Dog Portraits

Quick Tip for Puppy & Dog Portraits

Today’s photo tip is to help you in shooting better pet photos. Pet portraits can be the most fun you’ve ever had with your camera, you’ll meet a bunch of really nice people and it’s one of the easiest ways I know to go “pro” if that is a goal of yours. This tip concerns […]

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Hats in Portrait Photography?

Hats in Portrait Photography?

Today I have a photo tip that actually breaks the rules. I’m going to talk about including hats in portrait photography. Hats can say a lot about a person’s personality and are a good prop to use – if they actually DO fit the subject’s personality. But, be careful of the lighting. You don’t want […]

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Backlit Portrait Photography Tips

Backlit Portrait Photography Tips

Use the “halo light” pattern in your photo lighting. Here is a photo tip I’ve recently read that I disagree with: “When photographing people, always make sure to avoid direct sunlight in the background of the photo. This will make odd shadows and add an undesirable element to the picture. Position the people so the […]

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Pet Portraits: How to Get Animals to Look At You

Pet Portraits: How to Get Animals to Look At You

Today’s photo tip is about pet portraits and how to get the animal’s attention. Pet portraits can be some of the most fun photography you do. As an added bonus, it’s a great photography training ground. “Never Work With Kids or Animals!” Or so says the old show business expression… Why? Because they steal the […]

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10 Tips for Better Photos of Your Children

10 Tips for Better Photos of Your Children

Professional photography is a fantastic way to celebrate important moments in your life. It also allows all of the family members to be in the image as well. Finally, it creates true custom works of art. However, those images will account for a tiny fraction of the photographs that will take place in your life. […]

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