1. Tips for Taking Portraits
Photojournalism

2. Before taking portraits, pay attention to these tips for improving your final image

3. Tip #1: Location, location, location
The background of a portrait is just as important as your subject in communicating what this person is like
Cade Ritter - Westlake High School

4. Tip #2: Help your subject relax
Be friendly and prepared so that your subject is at ease. Also, be prepared to wait until your subject becomes more comfortable with your presence.
Casey Simmons - Westlake High School

5. Tip #3: Use color intentionally
Color helps to communicate mood. A photo with bright colors says
something completely different than one with muted tones.
Whitney High School Publications

6. Tip #4: Don’t be afraid to shoot tight
Sometimes, an extreme close-up of an individual is just as powerful as capturing the person’s environment or background
Bryant High School Publications

7. Tip #5: Consider props
What would this person normally be holding or doing? Giving them a prop or a task may make the photo more natural.
Emily Gerhart - Westlake High School

8. Tip #6: Pay attention to background
Check your photos frequently to be sure the background is
intentional and not distracting or too busy.
Bryant High School Publications

9. Tip #7: Play with light
Just like with color, the amount of light in a photo says something.
Use it to communicate an intentional message.
Bryant High School Publications

10. Sample photos
Evaluate these portraits and the techniques the photographers used for taking portraits

11. Bushra Ghafoor, R.B. Hayes High School

12. The Pix Yearbook - Little Rock, Arkansas

13. The Pix Yearbook - Little Rock, Arkansas

14. The Pix Yearbook - Little Rock, Arkansas

15. The Pix Yearbook - Little Rock, Arkansas

16. The Pix Yearbook - Little Rock, Arkansas

17. The Pix Yearbook - Little Rock, Arkansas

18. The Pix Yearbook - Little Rock, Arkansas

19. Peri Kincaid - Westlake High School

20. Whitney High School Publications