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So, the most important thing when it comes to portraits it’s that their role is to tell a story. Without this part, it’s practically useless, you might as well call it a snapshot, a simple point-and-shoot instead of a portrait. So, before you start shooting your model ( ) like any good storyteller, it wouldn’t be that much of a bad idea to actually get to know your model. Ask her some basic question, see what she likes or dislikes, find out what she wants to show by her picture. Afterwards, you can explain to the model the atmosphere of the shots, eventually you can show her some of your previous shots, or some shots you liked and you’d want to try out. But that doesn’t mean the whole session should be planned out and all the shots should be made by sticking to list. Actually, no, work with spontanaity, because it’s most likely that’s when you’ll make the best shots.

When it comes to preparations, picking up the model is one of the most hardest parts, mostly because, first of all, you must know what you want from your model, and then you start looking for him or her. For inspiration, you can go look into other people’s galleries and snoop around for ideas, this way you know what you’ll aim for. Remember one thing, as a portrait photographer, choosing just good-looking (perfect body-shape) models won’t do the trick, mostly because sometimes you’ll end up posing 1/3 of the body, with the face being the primary focus. In the end, go for figures that tell you something, as expressive as it can, remember that mostly any blemishes can be erased lately in Photoshop.

Clothes and make-up also are very important in creating a certain atmosphere. This is difficult because if shooting outside, you need a certain weather, and so on, but if shooting inside, there shouldn’t be any problems in picking up some stuff and first, and just changing the outfits during the photo-session. Further on, the make-up shouldn’t stand out very much, it should just complete the outfit and take out what’s best from the model’s face. A little research on the subject won’t do too much harm, a little does and don’ts regarding face shapes and colours.

Now, the actual session shouldn’t take more than 3 hours, because it can be tiring and this can be viewed later in the pictures. At the end of those 3 hours of work, you should have about 150 to 200 pictures (depends of your card capacity as well) from which you would probably use from 6 to twelve pictures (I know it seems a small number compared to the shot number, but still, remember, you only keep the best). Also, you can ask for someone to help you during the session with the lighting or the make-up. Remember to keep talking while working, easy and fun conversation, make the model feel comfortable.

Then let’s focus on light. What is a picture without good light? (don’t answer, you know it’s nothing). Remember what i said before? About completing the model with the clothing and the make-up? The same thing goes here, you must remember to complete the atmosphere with the proper lightning, not ruin it. Oh, but also, remember another thing. Light is worthless without shadows. Not deep shadows (like when using neons up on the ceeling and making those deep black shadows under the eyes – you can try correcting that by simply pointing another light source to the ceeling, or to the model’s chest, this way filling up those deep shadows). You can try shooting somewhere near the window, mostly because that is a flattering light, and if it is to bright, you simply use a white fabric to soften the light.

The way you frame your picture is important as well. Actually, what am I saying, most of the things I bable around here are important, because these are just the basics of portrait photography. Each portrait style has it’s own glimpses. Anyway, if you really don’t know how to frame it, just tilt it vertically and don’t center the subject. Centered subjects make your pictures flat and boring. Simply use the golden mean rule, or the rule of the thirds*. (will be presented in the end, for more information, I won’t go about it now in order to keep a certain continuity). About framing, remember, it’s ok to cut the forehead, but it’s never ok to cut the chin. Besides all this, in framing you can use your imagination, tilt the camera in diagonal for example for a more dynamic shot, or, any other thing that crosses your mind.

When it comes to backgrounds, remember that it’s important that it makes the picture focus on the subject, not blend it somewhere in it. You can make it more blury (less sharp) buy using small apperture values like F/1.8 or F/1.4. This are the things that you must remember when it comes to backgrounds: don’t overlap the model’s face (don’t use veritcal stripes), but keep it simple and as out of focus as you can.

Focus. In portraits, the object in focus is usually the face or a certain part of the face. Remember that whatever you do, the eyes should remain sharp.

Exposures. Use as much as you can manual exposures. Remember to avoid direct sunlight, it makes too much of a contrast between dark and bright areas.

That’s mostly everything I really have to say about portraits right now. Of course, there are a million things to be added, but those are most of them details. Each and every topic described summarily here, can be expanded in tones of pages and tutorials. But this provides a small basis, wether you start from here, or by reading the great book of portraits, it’s your own choice. This should only help you make an idea on how to make a portrait session go smoothly, and in the end to provide you with some good shots. Even though, a photographer needs practice. Maybe in the beginging you won’t be terribly satisfied with what comes out, but eventually you’ll get the hand of it. This basic rules, and further digital enhancements should do a really nice work, so good luck and start shooting