1. Take the photo in an open area with diffuse natural light for best results.
2. Avoid direct overhead light.
3. Find a simple, solid background.
4. Use the portrait mode on your digital camera.
5. Stand 10-15 feet away from the subject and zoom in.
6. Use a tripod if possible.
7. Fill 3/4 or more of the frame with your subject.
8. Use silliness and relaxed conversation to ease the subject's self-consciousness.
9. Experiment freely and take lots of shots.

</note>

• by Lynn Ross

• A portrait photo captures the likeness of a person, usually with an emphasis on his or her face and expression. Humans have been dabbling in the art of making portraits since long before the invention of the camera, using mediums such as paint and sculpture to celebrate, immortalize and remember each other. Like a good work of art, a good portrait photo can do more than record features; it can convey the essence of a personality, a mood or a moment in time. It isn't necessary to hire a professional to do this. You can learn to do it yourself with the right preparation and some practice.Families.com: Shooting the Perfect Portrait (January 29, 2008)

• The location of the portrait shoot is one of the most important elements in creating a memorable and well-composed shot. Placing the subject in the right environment can enhance the look of the photo and focus attention on the face. A poorly chosen background distracts from the subject and may ruin an otherwise perfect photograph.

1. Choosing a still, neutral background is one of the easiest ways to ensure that your subject is the focal point of the picture. Some backdrop ideas:Families.com: Shooting the Perfect Portrait (January 29, 2008)
   1. An uncluttered wall.Black's: Portrait Photography Made Easy
   2. Closed, solid-colored curtains.Black's: Portrait Photography Made Easy
   3. A bed sheet (wrinkles are fine, but iron out fold lines).Black's: Portrait Photography Made Easy
   4. Material from a fabric store.Studio Lighting: Homemade Backdrops for Portrait Photography (March 2, 2005)
   5. A painter's drop cloth.Homemade Backdrops for Portrait Photography (March 2, 2005)
   6. A homemade backdrop using canvas or muslin.Homemade Backdrops for Portrait Photography (March 2, 2005)
   7. Professional photography backdrops.B&H Photo Video: Background Search
   8. A homemade or store-bought green screen for altering the backdrop later with photo-editing software.Media College.com: How to Make a Green Screen Adorama Camera: Serious Magic 5' x 7' Flexible Green Screen, Double Sided
2. Pastels work best, but a black backdrop can add dramatic flair to your portrait.Scrapjazz: Taking Great Portrait Photos From Home (September 30, 2003)
3. Position the subject several feet in front of the backdrop to avoid shadows.BetterPhoto.com: Backgrounds for Portrait Photography (September 30, 2003)
4. Remove any distracting items.Digital Photography School: Getting Backgrounds Right

1. Look for a simple, neutral background.Black's: Portrait Photography Made Easy Some examples:
   1. Clear blue sky.
   2. A solid line of trees.
   3. A stone wall.
2. Examples of backgrounds that are too busy:Families.com: Shooting the Perfect Portrait (January 29, 2008)
   1. Multicolored flowers.
   2. A crowded park.
   3. A storefront.
3. Place the subject as far from the background as possible to minimize it further.Lifehacker: How to Take Great Digital Portraits (March 9, 2006)
4. Make sure there aren't any distracting movements in the background.
5. Really see what's behind your subject.Digital Photography School: Getting Backgrounds Right
   • It's natural for people to tune out what isn't important to them. The camera won't do that. Notice the fence post behind your subject's head before the shutter clicks.

• Lighting can make the difference between a healthy, happy looking subject and a pale subject with deep eye shadows. Lighting can also influence the mood of the photo, so it's a good idea to make adjustments to the light before taking your portrait.Kodak: Lighting for Portraits

1. Natural light is best for bringing out warm skin tones.Families.com: Shooting the Perfect Portrait (January 29, 2008)
2. When possible, choose an open location with diffuse lighting. This helps prevent unflattering shadows from darkening the subject's face. Try:Photo.net: Portrait Photography (January 2007) Kodak: Lighting for Portraits
   1. A park on an overcast day.Photo.net: Portrait Photography (January 2007)
   2. A building with high ceilings and skylights or large banks of windows.Photo.net: Portrait Photography (January 2007)
   3. A garage or shaded outdoor area.
   4. The inside of your home near a good-sized window or open door.Kodak: Groups and Portraits
3. The amount of light just after dawn or before dusk is especially good for portraits.Black's: Portrait Photography Made Easy Pg. 3
4. Avoid direct overhead lighting or direct light from the side. This kind of light brings out details like wrinkles and small imperfections.Kodak: Lighting for Portraits
5. Try to keep the sun or other light source behind and to the side of the subject. It's important to keep it out of his or her eyes and away from interfering with the camera.Lifehacker: How to Take Great Digital Portraits (March 9, 2006)
6. If there is a lot of sun, use the camera's flash. This will minimize facial shadows and put a twinkle in the subject's eye.Lifehacker: How to Take Great Digital Portraits (March 9, 2006)
7. Shadows aren't always bad. When used intentionally, they can hide imperfections or create a mood.Expert Village: Creating Mood with a Single Light in Portrait Photography (Time: 1:34)

• Using reflectors can help you control the light and will give your photos a more polished, professional look.

1. Use reflectors to deflect light to the shadowed side of the subject or to softly light the face.Black's: Photography Made Easy Pg. 2
2. Reflectors don't have to be a big expense. Use anything that will reflect light in the direction you want it to go.
   1. White cardboard or poster board.University of Minnesota Extension: Investigating Portraiture
   2. A white sheet.Scrapjazz: Taking Great Portrait Photos From Home (September 30, 2003)
   3. A full-length mirror.Scrapjazz: Taking Great Portrait Photos From Home (September 30, 2003)
   4. White polystyrene or foam core.Black's: Photography Made Easy Pg. 2
   5. A home movie screen.University of Minnesota Extension: Investigating Portraiture
   6. Professional reflectors.B&H Photo Video: Reflectors

• The manual settings on both digital and film cameras can be a bit daunting to beginning photographers, but there are some simple adjustments that can be made to improve the quality of portrait photographs.

1. Turn off the digital zoom on a digital camera. Using it will make the whole shot blurry.Lifehacker: How to Take Great Digital Portraits (March 9, 2006)
2. If your portraits are still too blurry, turn up the ISO setting and/or use a tripod.Photoxels: What is... ISO
3. When taking the photo with a digital camera, press the shutter button halfway down to allow the auto settings to kick in. Then press down fully to get the shot.Lifehacker: How to Take Great Digital Portraits (March 9, 2006)

1. The easiest way to sharpen the subject and blur the background is to use the portrait scene mode on a digital camera. Almost all digital cameras have this.Lifehacker: How to Take Great Digital Portraits (March 9, 2006)
2. Many photo-editing programs have an option that allows you to blur the background if it wasn't blurred by the camera.CreativePro.com: Photoshop How-To: Lens Blur with Alpha Channels (January 18, 2005)
3. To manually create a portrait scene mode with a digital or film camera, use a wide aperture (low f/stop) and zoom into the subject from a distance.HP Digital Photography Center: Focusing Basics: Using Depth of Field
4. Zooming into the subject from a distance has many benefits:
   1. De-emphasizes the nose.Photo.net: Portrait Photography Pg. 2
   2. Creates more background blur.Lifehacker: How to Take Great Digital Portraits (March 9, 2006)
   3. Less intimidating for the subject.
5. The ideal lens length for a sharp subject and blurred background is 90-135mm.Google Books: Digital Landscape Photography - A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Perfect Photos Pg. 15

• When taking a portrait photo, the goal is not only to get a clear shot of the person's face, but also to capture his or her personality, mood and unique qualities. There are a number of steps you can take to maximize your chances of getting both.Video Jug: How to Take Portrait Photos (Time: 2:21)

1. Have your subjects choose darker toned, solid-colored clothing.Digital Photography School: What Clothes to Wear in Portraits
2. Give them access to a mirror, hairbrush and/or makeup bag, so they can freshen up.
3. Make sure the subject fills 3/4 or more of the frame.Digital Photography School: 6 Tips for Perfect Composition in Portrait Photography
4. Shoot only the subject's head and shoulders unless there is a compelling reason to shoot more.Lifehacker: How to Take Great Digital Portraits (March 9, 2006)
   • Feel free to leave a little room for cropping if you plan to edit the photos later.
5. Make the eyes your focal point.Adobe: Digital Kids Club: Tips: Family Portraits
6. Look closely when you take the shot. For example:Impulse Adventure: Photo Techniques - Portrait Photography
   1. Is there anything that might enhance the subject's appearance or de-emphasize flaws?
   2. Could wrinkled clothing be smoothed?
   3. Would a different stance be more slimming?Digital Photography School: Posing Tips - Waistlines, Thighs and Bustlines

• Pay attention to your subjects before you photograph them. Notice the quirks that make them unique, the behaviors and movements that catch your eye and the things you like most about them. Think about how you can incorporate these into a photo.Black's: Portrait Photography Made Easy

1. Help your subjects to loosen up and have fun with the shoot.
   1. Stay upbeat and smile.
   2. Tell jokes or do something to get them to laugh—this has the added benefit of bringing out an authentically happy facial expression.Digital Photography School: The Human Side of Photography - 4 Tips for Natural Looking Portraits
   3. Engage your subjects in conversation on a topic of importance to them.Digital Photography School: The Human Side of Photography - 4 Tips for Natural Looking Portraits
   4. Encourage silliness.Digital Photography School: 10 Ways to Take Stunning Portraits
2. Add a prop. If well-chosen, a prop can highlight significant aspects of a subject's personality and make your photo more exciting. Imagine these examples:Digital Photography School: 10 Ways to Take Stunning Portraits
   1. A child smiling dutifully for the camera vs. a child smiling at a kitten.
   2. Your friend making a face vs. your friend making a face and waving a lightsaber.
3. Photograph your subjects in their natural habitat.Video Jug: How to Take Portrait Photos (Time: 2:21)
   • Try unobtrusively taking shots while they go about their day-to-day business. These shots can be quite revealing.Video Jug: How to Take Portrait Photos (Time: 2:21)

1. Taking more pictures increases the odds that you'll have a good one when you're done.Lifehacker: How to Take Great Digital Portraits (March 9, 2006)
2. Taking shots between poses can catch the subject in a relaxed state, for a better, more genuine photograph.
3. Practicing makes you a better photographer.
4. Experimenting with facial expressions, angles, backdrops and stances improves your skills.Digital Photography School: 10 Ways to Take Stunning Portraits Digital Photography School: 10 More Tips for Stunning Portrait Photography

• Taking portrait photos is a great creative outlet and can be fun for both the photographer and the subject. Trial and error is the key to learning to do it well, so give yourself permission to take a lot of pictures. With a digital camera, the costs of doing this are minimal, and you'll gain a useful skill you can enjoy for the rest of your life.