Portrait Photography
Psalm 139:14
“I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”
Psalm 139:14 reminds us that every person is wonderfully made by YAH. As photographers, we should photograph people with care and help them look and feel their best.
What Is Portrait Photography?
Portrait photography is about more than taking a picture of a person. A good portrait helps show the person’s personality, expression, mood, and character.
What Is Natural Light?
Natural light comes from the sun. You do not need expensive lighting equipment to create a beautiful portrait.
Look for soft, even light. Some great places to find it are near a window, outside in open shade, under a covered porch, or outdoors when the sun is lower in the sky.
Avoid harsh sunlight directly on your subject’s face when possible. It can create strong shadows and cause your subject to squint.
Simple Posing Tips
Instead of having your subject stand completely straight toward the camera, try turning their body slightly. Have them relax their shoulders and keep their hands comfortable and natural.
Pay attention to the face and eyes. Small changes in the direction of the chin, eyes, and shoulders can make a big difference.
Also check the background before taking the picture. Make sure there are no distracting objects that appear to be growing out of your subject’s head.
In-Class Activity: Partner Portraits
Pair up with a classmate and take turns being the photographer and the model.
Each photographer should practice finding good natural light, choosing a clean background, giving posing directions, focusing on the eyes, and trying different compositions.
Try taking at least one close-up portrait, one waist-up portrait, and one full-body portrait.
Homework
Take 2 portraits of someone using natural light.
Your two portraits should show intentional lighting, a clear focus on the person, thoughtful posing, and a background that does not distract from your subject.