3 Techniques That Will Completely Change Your Portrait Photography

I think sometimes there’s a perception that portrait photography is easy. After all, you just point your camera at someone and snap a photo, right?

Obviously, there is a lot more involved with creating a nice portrait, though. You need the technical skills to understand how to use your camera properly. You also need the creative skills to compose a good portrait.

Table of Contents

• How to Improve Your Portrait Photography

• How to Compose Better Portrait Photography

How to Improve Your Portrait Photography

In the video above, Manny Ortiz discusses his journey to becoming a better portrait photographer. The tips he provides are simple and straightforward, but can have a massive impact on the results you get – no matter what gear you use and the location where you’re shooting.

One of Manny’s top tips is to incorporate symmetry into your portraits. No, this doesn’t refer to the model taking a perfectly symmetrical pose in the shot…instead, it refers to using symmetry in the background to create a compelling image. 

Youtube Screenshot/Manny Ortiz

As you can see in Manny’s shot above, the symmetry of the elevated train tracks above his shooting position creates a nice frame within a frame around the model. At the same time, the structure of the train tracks creates leading lines that provide depth to this example of portrait photography.

How to Compose Better Portrait Photography

Photo by FXQuadro via Shutterstock

The hard part isn’t composing an image with symmetry – just use live view to ensure the symmetrical elements are properly positioned in the frame. Instead, the hardest part is finding symmetrical elements to incorporate into your portraits. Architecture is a great option, of course, but you can find symmetry in natural elements, too. You simply have to train your eyes to look for it.

Give Manny’s video a thorough watch to get a couple more easy tips on making your portrait photography better. These low-time-intensive, high-results tips will improve your portraits in no time!

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Learn More:

• How to Choose the Perfect Portrait Photography Location
• A Beginner’s Guide to Portrait Photography Angles

Hero photo by Vitalii Matokha via Shutterstock