Photography: Portraits

Portrait photography (also known as portraiture) is the capture by means of photography of the likeness of a person or a small group of people, in which the face and its expression is predominant.

Early Photography Portraits Daugerrotype Albumen Print

Hand Tinted Photographs

Portrait Tips

1. Which Way Should Your Subject Lean? Generally speaking, angling the shoulders slightly gives you shot balance and helps lead your viewer’s eye into the shot towards your main focal point.

2. Give Your Subject Space to Look Into As a rule (and we all know that they are made to be broken) if the person (and it works with animals too) you are photographing is looking in one direction or even if their head is pointing in that direction it is best to place them on the opposite side of the frame.

3. Photographing People From Different Angles Keep in mind that not every angle works for every person. Some of us have features that are shot better as a profile while for others of us a front on shot is much more flattering. The key is to mix it up, try new things and take lots of shots where you can (some situations it’s more appropriate than others to lie flat on the ground or climb a tree).

4. Asking Permission to Photograph People 1. I always ask for permission if the person will be the main subject of my photo. 2. If a person is a minor subject in a larger photo I don’t seek permission 3. Getting ‘permission’ can mean different things in different situations -

5. Show personality in your portraits. Spend time getting to know your subject Choosing a Location Props? Posing

Use “Levels” or “windows” for group portraits.

Irving Penn June 16, 1917 – October 7, 2009 An American Photographer Known for his portrait and fashion photography. Penn worked for many years doing fashion photography for Vogue magazine, founding his own studio in 1953. He was among the first photographers to pose subjects against a simple grey or white backdrop. In 1950, Penn married his favorite model, Lisa Fonssagrives, at Chelsea Register Office. They met at a photo shoot in 1947.

"A good photograph is one that communicates a fact, touches the heart, and leaves the viewer a changed person for having seen it; it is in one word, effective." —Irving Penn.

Portrait Photography Categories

Environmental Portraits (mood or personality portraits)

Personality