6 Tips for Shooting Portraits with Digital Cameras

Yes, even digital cameras can take a beautiful portrait. Your point-and-shoot digital camera does the trick without a problem. Just follow a few simple tips below to create great portrait picture that you can develop and hang on your walls, keep in your wallet or display on your refrigerator door.

Tip #1 – Switch to Portrait Mode

"Portrait mode" creates a softer background. The background of the portrait turns fuzzy, thereby focusing solely and completely on the portrait’s subject matter.

Tip #2 – De-Clutter the Background

A portrait does best when the background is plain or fully de-cluttered. Try to take the portrait against a blank and barren wall. If you must have objects or landscaping in the portrait, organize it neatly. Only have a couple larger features in your backdrop. Your subject should be your focal point—nothing else.

Tip #3 – Reduce Bright Light

Use natural lighting wherever possible. Reduce the amount of bright light found around your portrait area. This may cause a shadow, or it will create a big bright and sharp blur in and around your portrait area. It is often best practice to shoot all of your portrait work in the morning (before high noon sun) and late in the day, just before dusk approaches. The light is softer and it harmonizes better with the subject in the portrait.

Tip #4 – Exterior Portrait Tips

Love the environment? Take your portrait shooting outside. When you lack a studio, the outdoors can provide the best types of backdrops for your portrait. This gives you an ability to show your subject as well as the background features! Try to use a tripod when outdoors. Make sure your camera is set to exterior and outdoor settings.

Tip #5 – Interior Portrait Tips

Turn off the red eye reduction component (most digital cameras have this option somewhere on the exterior of the camera’s back, as a button or a switch). When you take your picture, try to bounce the light off the wall or the ceiling. This will again create softer, nicer accent lighting for the portrait. Grey backgrounds tend to work the best with interior portrait settings.

Tip #6 – Love your Subjects and Dress Them Well

Have fun at what you are doing. Love your subject. You want to make them look like they are in the best light possible. Don’t just take one picture, take many. Test out different poses and styles. Change from an ‘in the moment’ casual shot to a posed portrait. Turn your camera from one side to the other, capturing your subject’s different features. Encourage your subject to dress in solid colors. Depending on your backdrop or background, whites look fantastic. Do not use dark, muted colors as they tend to wash out during a portrait photo. Do not be afraid to coach your subject for dressing for portrait success!