Portrait Notes

Last updated Jun 9, 2023

Some notes about taking photos for a portrait session

• Looking up at the photographer is more flattering in general
• Looking towards light helps brighten eyes if that is important
• have a list of poses ready before the session but be ready to improvise

• golden hour (the hour before sunset)
• direction and amount of light can change the tone
  • light in front of subject unless you want a silhouette

• background can be distracting, use plain backdrops if not using a picturesque location indoors

• More like sports photography than still. Easy to catch a bunch of blurry photos with the wrong settings
• Example settings
  • Fast shutter speed >1/250
  • Higher ISO (400+, probably 800)
• Wide angle with low light (catch them running)

• Bubbles
• Noise makers
• Puppet
• Balloons
• Toys (can be tricky - kid ends up more interested in toy)
• Something for them to ride in or sit in. Wagon, bucket, basket.

• pick a time of day when the kids are in a good mood
  • not hungry
  • not tired before nap-time
• keep the session very active
• move between a few poses or scenes as quickly as possible
• try many angles
  • shoot at toddler eye level for interesting stuff
• keep them happy
  • make a game out of it
  • if there is a pose or activity that keeps making them smile, go with it
• be very flexible
• don’t get stressed out - they will often feed off of your energy or the parents’ energy, keep it light and happy
• If indoors, have lights or be by a window to increase light (and available shutter speed)

• keeping sessions short
• reduce # of junk images