{"id":4604,"date":"2023-01-04T17:48:31","date_gmt":"2023-01-04T06:48:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/blog\/?p=4604"},"modified":"2023-01-07T15:16:45","modified_gmt":"2023-01-07T04:16:45","slug":"7-expert-tips-for-portrait-photography-beginners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/blog\/7-expert-tips-for-portrait-photography-beginners\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Expert Tips For Portrait Photography Beginners"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>If you can nail portrait photography, you&#8217;ll have a handy skill for life! Plus, the skills needed for portrait photography filter into many other fields of photography, like wedding photography or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/blog\/street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">street photography<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>At first glance, it looks easy to gather a group of people together and start snapping away. Contrary to what most people think, being \u201cphotogenic\u201d is less about naturally looking good on camera, and more to do with the photographer\u2019s skills. Any uncertainty on behalf of the model will come across on camera, so it\u2019s up to the photographer to make their subject feel comfortable.<\/p>\n<p>Keep reading for some exciting portrait photography ideas and learn everything you can about nailing those pics!<\/p>\n<h2>What&#8217;s portrait photography?<\/h2>\n<p>Portrait photography is essentially a type of photography that is all about capturing the essence of a person, or group of people. It requires a strong understanding of how best to use lighting, composition and editing to make the most of their model\u2019s best features. There are multiple techniques which can help enormously in turning a bad portrait into a good one.<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019ve compiled the ultimate beginner&#8217;s guide of everything you need to know when it comes to starting out with portrait photography. We&#8217;ve also thrown in a few helpful portrait photography ideas along the way to help you take your portrait photography to the next level.<\/p>\n<h2>1. Get the right portrait photography equipment<\/h2>\n<p>First things first; to get the right shot, you need the tools to do the job properly. You may not need a huge kit to begin with (and, at any rate, it doesn\u2019t come cheap!) but you can build it up over time, starting with a high-quality camera and lens.<\/p>\n<p>Before you begin, you\u2019ll need to consider what kind of photography you\u2019ll be doing, and where. For instance, consider if you will be:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Shooting large groups versus single shots<\/li>\n<li>Working in a portrait photography studio versus outside<\/li>\n<li>Doing a shoot in the day versus night time<\/li>\n<li>Using the camera for other kinds of photography, for instance, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/blog\/the-ultimate-guide-to-landscape-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">landscape photography<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Different kinds of portrait photography require different lenses and lighting equipment. Similarly, different cameras have their strengths and weaknesses.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re just starting out, you\u2019ll want a camera that is easy to use, and you\u2019ll also want to take into consideration size, weight and budget. Some cameras are better for low-light photography, which might be useful if you want to branch into wedding photography in future.<\/p>\n<p>Or, if you\u2019re more interested in something like street photography, you may want a camera that is more lightweight, where changing camera settings and lenses are easier.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/alexander-wang-KjyrxSHwqTg-unsplash.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4607 aligncenter lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/alexander-wang-KjyrxSHwqTg-unsplash-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"portrait photography equipment\" width=\"558\" height=\"372\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/alexander-wang-KjyrxSHwqTg-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/alexander-wang-KjyrxSHwqTg-unsplash-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/alexander-wang-KjyrxSHwqTg-unsplash-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/alexander-wang-KjyrxSHwqTg-unsplash.jpg 900w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 558px) 100vw, 558px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 558px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 558\/372;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>A standard lens is the best option for portrait photography unless you\u2019re using a wide-angle or telephoto lens to get a more unique result. Most beginners start with a 50mm lens for portrait photography, which is close to what the eye will see in real life.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re shooting in difficult light situations or in a studio, it\u2019s important to have lighting equipment. You can purchase affordable LED lighting online, or hire it for events if you\u2019re doing a one-off shoot. Or, you can also use a tripod, which you can purchase relatively cheaply.<\/p>\n<p><u>Tip:<\/u> Using a longer lens for portraits in some scenarios (such as a 200mm) can flatten the face, which can be particularly helpful if your subject has larger-than-average features, like a long nose or a rounded face.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>2. Consider your lighting and environment<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Lighting is one of the most important considerations when it comes to portrait photography. It will take some practice to be able to fully understand how light affects your shots, and apply these learnings while shooting.<\/p>\n<p>The best light is always natural lighting outside, in the mornings or at sunset, hailed \u2018the golden hour\u201d, but anytime is usually fine to shoot unless it is around midday when the sun is high in the sky. At midday, the light can be particularly unforgiving.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/mohammad-faruque-0ZYPu-nLOwU-unsplash.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4608 aligncenter lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/mohammad-faruque-0ZYPu-nLOwU-unsplash-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"light photography\" width=\"442\" height=\"663\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/mohammad-faruque-0ZYPu-nLOwU-unsplash-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/mohammad-faruque-0ZYPu-nLOwU-unsplash-100x150.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/mohammad-faruque-0ZYPu-nLOwU-unsplash.jpg 600w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 442px) 100vw, 442px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 442px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 442\/663;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Photographers often try to use the strengths of their background and work within it. For instance, if you\u2019re doing a rustic photoshoot, use the soft natural colours of the greenery outside, and use the soft golden side-light before sunset to capture your subject posing candidly. However, this isn\u2019t always the case; sometimes juxtaposing a woman in a beautiful dress in a harsh setting can make for fascinating shots.<\/p>\n<p><u>Tip:<\/u> Think about how much of your background you\u2019ll need to show, and whether or not it&#8217;s relevant to the story behind your shot. If you\u2019re shooting a restaurant owner, you may want to show them in front of the restaurant, serving food, or preparing a dish. Not only does this convey what they do, but it will also help your subject feel more confident.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>3. Connect with your subject<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Finding a way to connect with your subject is one of the most important factors of all in portrait photography. Unless you<span style=\"font-size: inherit\">\u2019re working with professional models, most people have no idea what they look like in front of a camera (when they\u2019re not taking a selfie, that is!) and will need a lot of direction.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>It may take some time to get the ideal poses you\u2019d like for the best portrait photography shots. Confidence from your subject can really help, as well as a little direction. Remember; your subject can\u2019t see what you\u2019re seeing. By confidently directing your subject, talking to them, and making them feel at ease, you\u2019ll coax them into relaxing into the shoot. An inexperienced model may take longer to warm up in front of the camera so be patient.<\/p>\n<p>When capturing a pose, it helps to think about what you\u2019re trying to show in your photos. For example, you might be taking shots of a high-level executive in the workplace. If so, his or her pose should reflect power and confidence, so they may want to pose with their hands on their hips, or arms crossed against their chest. Compare this to, say, a portrait of an artist. They may want to be photographed in their studio or by their artworks, in a relaxed pose, wearing something which embodies their creativity.<\/p>\n<p><u>Tip:<\/u> Focus on the eyes, particularly if you\u2019re taking headshots. If you can connect with the eyes, you can anchor your image and capture a particularly powerful shot.<strong>&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/portrait-photography-tips-complimenting-colors.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4199 aligncenter lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/portrait-photography-tips-complimenting-colors-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"Portrait Photography Tips - Complimenting Colors\" width=\"348\" height=\"231\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/portrait-photography-tips-complimenting-colors-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/portrait-photography-tips-complimenting-colors-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/portrait-photography-tips-complimenting-colors.jpg 670w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 348px) 100vw, 348px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 348px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 348\/231;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><strong>4. Use shapes<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>When helping your subjects pose, try to find and use shapes, and work with the surrounding background.<\/p>\n<p>Think about whether you want a face shot, half body, or full body shot, or maybe all of the above! When taking a shot that focuses on the upper body, try not to cut people\u2019s bodies off in awkward sections. A good rule of thumb for this is to never cut off anything that bends, i.e. elbows or knees.<\/p>\n<p>Limbs can become awkward in shots, so it\u2019s a good idea to ask your subject to lean on something which will bend their elbows or to bend one knee, or sit down.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/omar-lopez-e5pqjD85NRg-unsplash.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4610 aligncenter lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/omar-lopez-e5pqjD85NRg-unsplash-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"portrait shot sitting down\" width=\"491\" height=\"327\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/omar-lopez-e5pqjD85NRg-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/omar-lopez-e5pqjD85NRg-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/omar-lopez-e5pqjD85NRg-unsplash-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/omar-lopez-e5pqjD85NRg-unsplash.jpg 900w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 491px) 100vw, 491px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 491px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 491\/327;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Full body shots are often underused in portrait photography but can have an extremely dramatic effect, particularly in wedding photography, when the subject has a great silhouette or is wearing a long, flowing dress. We see this often in fashion photography, but unless you\u2019re doing a fashion shoot, we want to ensure that the clothes don\u2019t take over the shot. Think about the shapes of the body, too, and body language, to encapsulate a feeling.<\/p>\n<p><u>Tip:<\/u> Watch your subject\u2019s hands. Many of us don\u2019t know what to do with them and tend to hold them awkwardly. This can be easily missed when shooting but can become very distracting to look at afterwards!<\/p>\n<h2><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/aleksander-borzenets-cLfNATuss_Y-unsplash.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4611 aligncenter lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/aleksander-borzenets-cLfNATuss_Y-unsplash-221x300.jpg\" alt=\"portrait shot full body\" width=\"329\" height=\"447\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/aleksander-borzenets-cLfNATuss_Y-unsplash-221x300.jpg 221w, https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/aleksander-borzenets-cLfNATuss_Y-unsplash-110x150.jpg 110w, https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/aleksander-borzenets-cLfNATuss_Y-unsplash.jpg 662w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 329px) 100vw, 329px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 329px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 329\/447;\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n<h2><strong>5. Portrait photography styles<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>There are several different portrait photography styles you can experiment with to get the most out of your shots. When we think of portraits, we tend to think about posed shots, but experimenting with candid shots can result in strong images. Either way, it\u2019s important to try using a variety of angles to see what amazing shots you can capture.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/amr-elmasry-UTCaDgbVOtA-unsplash.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4612 aligncenter lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/amr-elmasry-UTCaDgbVOtA-unsplash-183x300.jpg\" alt=\"portrait photography faces\" width=\"356\" height=\"584\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/amr-elmasry-UTCaDgbVOtA-unsplash-183x300.jpg 183w, https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/amr-elmasry-UTCaDgbVOtA-unsplash-92x150.jpg 92w, https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/amr-elmasry-UTCaDgbVOtA-unsplash.jpg 549w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 356px) 100vw, 356px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 356px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 356\/584;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Black and white portrait photography can be jaw-dropping. Not only does it give your portraits a more classic and timeless look, but it also helps emphasise shape and contrast and can lead to a very striking photograph.<\/p>\n<p><u>Tip:<\/u> Try not to take expected shots, particularly when shooting for weddings or family photos. These can come across a little clich\u00e9 on camera and become distracting. Get creative and take interesting shots from unexpected angles. Think about the \u201cstory\u201d that the shot is trying to tell and the feelings you\u2019re trying to invoke in each shot. Are you trying to communicate love? Strength? Or is the shot more complicated? Perhaps you\u2019re trying to communicate an unexpected fragility or a tragic love story. Thinking about your story will help you direct your subjects and how they are posing. Use props to help tell your story, or explain a point of view.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/hisu-lee-2qvxIr_DXGo-unsplash.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4613 aligncenter lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/hisu-lee-2qvxIr_DXGo-unsplash-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"portrait bath overhead shot\" width=\"455\" height=\"607\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/hisu-lee-2qvxIr_DXGo-unsplash-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/hisu-lee-2qvxIr_DXGo-unsplash-112x150.jpg 112w, https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/hisu-lee-2qvxIr_DXGo-unsplash.jpg 674w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 455px) 100vw, 455px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 455px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 455\/607;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><strong>6. Take inspiration from the best portrait photographers<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>If you\u2019re feeling uninspired, use your imagination and take a cue or two from some of the best portrait photographers.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/martinschoeller\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Martin Schoeller<\/a> is one of the most famous recent portrait photographers in the world and is known for his hyper-close portraits. In one of his most famous series of works, a collection of portraits where the subjects stared straight down the lens of the camera, he used the same treatments for all his subjects, whether celebrities, politicians or unknown.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/Screen-Shot-2019-07-08-at-2.45.40-pm.png\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4615 aligncenter lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/Screen-Shot-2019-07-08-at-2.45.40-pm-300x214.png\" alt=\"portrait martin\" width=\"615\" height=\"439\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/Screen-Shot-2019-07-08-at-2.45.40-pm-300x214.png 300w, https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/Screen-Shot-2019-07-08-at-2.45.40-pm-768x549.png 768w, https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/Screen-Shot-2019-07-08-at-2.45.40-pm-150x107.png 150w, https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/Screen-Shot-2019-07-08-at-2.45.40-pm.png 837w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 615px) 100vw, 615px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 615px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 615\/439;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>For instance, in the photo below, we can see how he uses angles to create interesting shapes. Then in the image of Jacolby Satterwhite sprawled upside-down on a chair, he creates shapes with the lines in the image; the angle of the chair, the broom and the edge of the table all meet at angles to create a perfect balance.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/Screen-Shot-2019-07-08-at-2.44.18-pm.png\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4614 aligncenter lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/Screen-Shot-2019-07-08-at-2.44.18-pm-300x146.png\" alt=\"martin portrait photographer\" width=\"606\" height=\"295\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/Screen-Shot-2019-07-08-at-2.44.18-pm-300x146.png 300w, https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/Screen-Shot-2019-07-08-at-2.44.18-pm-768x374.png 768w, https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/Screen-Shot-2019-07-08-at-2.44.18-pm-150x73.png 150w, https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/Screen-Shot-2019-07-08-at-2.44.18-pm.png 933w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 606px) 100vw, 606px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 606px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 606\/295;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/nadavkander\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Nadav Kander<\/a> is another famous portrait photographer and artist. His photography has been exhibited widely all over the world.<\/p>\n<p>The below images are a testament to his creativity and personal style; he uses shapes and shadows in such interesting ways to convey emotion.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/Screen-Shot-2019-07-08-at-3.09.07-pm.png\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4619 aligncenter lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/Screen-Shot-2019-07-08-at-3.09.07-pm-300x216.png\" alt=\"nadav kander photographer\" width=\"559\" height=\"403\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/Screen-Shot-2019-07-08-at-3.09.07-pm-300x216.png 300w, https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/Screen-Shot-2019-07-08-at-3.09.07-pm-768x554.png 768w, https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/Screen-Shot-2019-07-08-at-3.09.07-pm-150x108.png 150w, https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/Screen-Shot-2019-07-08-at-3.09.07-pm.png 824w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 559px) 100vw, 559px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 559px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 559\/403;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><u><a href=\"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/Screen-Shot-2019-07-08-at-3.09.22-pm.png\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4618 aligncenter lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/Screen-Shot-2019-07-08-at-3.09.22-pm-300x191.png\" alt=\"nadav kander portrait photographer\" width=\"601\" height=\"383\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/Screen-Shot-2019-07-08-at-3.09.22-pm-300x191.png 300w, https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/Screen-Shot-2019-07-08-at-3.09.22-pm-768x489.png 768w, https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/Screen-Shot-2019-07-08-at-3.09.22-pm-150x95.png 150w, https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/Screen-Shot-2019-07-08-at-3.09.22-pm.png 932w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 601px) 100vw, 601px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 601px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 601\/383;\" \/><\/a><\/u><\/p>\n<p><u>Tip<\/u>: Explore some of the best portrait photographers and artists on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.nz\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Pinterest<\/a> to find out which styles and looks you prefer. Study what they do, and consider how you might achieve different looks by trying various effects.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>7. Learn to edit portraits<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Learning to edit your portrait photography can turn an ordinary shot into something truly spectacular. With editing, less is more, especially if you\u2019re just starting out. But with any changes you make, ensure you make them slowly. Start by creating a copy of your image so you only edit the duplicate. You may want to experiment with a different editing style to compare.<\/p>\n<p>For full-body shots, you\u2019ll want to think more about making some basic tweaks to contrast, light, and cropping.<\/p>\n<p>When it comes to close up shots, you may also want to make small edits to the face, depending on how polished you\u2019d like your final image to be. For example, you may want to whiten teeth slightly, remove any redness in the eyes, smooth the skin slightly and soften any fine lines.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/alex-perez-42e14e_DSWE-unsplash.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4620 aligncenter lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/alex-perez-42e14e_DSWE-unsplash-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"Portrait water girl\" width=\"315\" height=\"473\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/alex-perez-42e14e_DSWE-unsplash-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/alex-perez-42e14e_DSWE-unsplash-100x150.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/alex-perez-42e14e_DSWE-unsplash.jpg 600w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 315px) 100vw, 315px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 315px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 315\/473;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>To do this, you might use a mobile app, desktop app or splurge on more expensive computer software. It really depends on how much money you\u2019re willing to invest in your photography and how often you\u2019ll be using your editing program or programs.<\/p>\n<p>Remember, depending on what the photos are for, you don\u2019t want to lose the essence of who the subject really is and what they look like.<\/p>\n<p><u>Tip:<\/u> To find out more about editing, check out our tips on photo editing for beginners <a href=\"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/blog\/10-simple-photo-editing-tips-for-beginners\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">here<\/a>. For our guide on other styles of photography for beginners, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/blog\/photography-for-beginners-2\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">click here.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>We hope these portrait photography ideas have inspired you to try a few new things and level up your photography game! Once you have some beautiful portraits ready, don\u2019t leave them stored on your phone or a memory card. Turn them into beautiful canvas prints with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Canvas Factory<\/a>. Upload your photos today to see what they would look like as a stunning <a href=\"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/canvas-photo-prints\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">canvas print<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/canvas-print-wall-displays\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">wall display<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We\u2019ve compiled the ultimate beginner\u2019s guide of everything you need to know when it comes to starting out with portrait photography. Get our helpful tips and tricks along the way to take your portrait photography to the next level.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":5479,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[80],"tags":[124,125,151],"class_list":["post-4604","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-photography-tips","tag-photography","tag-photography-for-beginners","tag-portrait-photography"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4604","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4604"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4604\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5480,"href":"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4604\/revisions\/5480"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5479"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4604"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4604"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4604"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}