child photo portraits

how to photograph children teen child portrait photography, techniques, tips, Paul Smyres photo tips, photographing children

Child photography -- portraits
Living Pictures Photography     Millerton, NY 518-789-9345
Portrait photo tips Sample print package
This page is part of the Living Pictures online photo magazine.
Natural daylight is probably the best possible light for capturing the human personality.
The infinite variety of outdoor lighting conditions allows unlimited opportunities for expression.
Excellent effects can also be produced by sitting near a window.
Natural light has one big drawback; it's not consistently the same.
Because of this, all portrait photographers often use artificial light.
To produce high volume with consistent results, studio flash units are a must.
Using a long lens can reduce the impact of a distracting background.
When framing your shot, pay attention to what's behind your subject.
A bad background can ruin a picture.
Often you can shift your position or your subject's slightly to greatly improve your composition.
Use outdoor backgrounds to advantage, such as colorful leaves,
or broad expanses of color such as the sky or distant scenery.

Sometimes, however, you don't have much choice.
You must seize the opportunity or you will lose it.
To get good expressions, you must create rapport with the subject.
People photography is as much about human relation skills as it is about camera knowledge.
Many people are shy of being so intensely involved with being photographed.

For more information on portrait techniques use the search for photo tips, or visit the other portrait pages.