Outdoor Portrait photography

By Melissa Meyers

EquipmentDSLR Camera

Medium telephoto lensLens hood

Reflector/white poster board (optional)Blanket

Props (optional)

Preparation: Think ahead of the shoot

Consider the personality of the subject and then build your creativity around that inspiration. Consider location, color, composition and lighting.

Lighting• Natural outdoor lighting is best earlier in the

morning or late afternoon• Overcast days are the best light • Sunny days are okay, just look for a nice

shady spot to pose your subject• Use fill flash for more light on the subject’s

face and whenever the subject is backlit • Use a reflector for additional light

Example: Set up with the sun behind or on the side of the subject/use pop flash

Posing your subject - Tips• Pose the subject slightly turned away from the camera

and have them look back at you• Pose the subject sitting down and stand up to take the

shot from a higher angle • Pose the subject with hands around the face, have them

lean on one hand for example• Pose men with one hand in a pants pocket• Pose women with one hand on the hip• Take shots with teeth showing and some with closed lips• Take shots with subject looking away from the camera• Trees and fences are perfect props for your subject to

lean on for a more natural pose

Use structures as props

F5.6 1/250 ISO 200 Flash on/fired, Manual Mode

Try different poses and use the hands near the face for a more natural look

Zoom in tightTip: use rule of thirds, focal point is subject’s closest eye to you, crop in frame, take the shot

F5.6, 1/125, ISO 200, no flash

F5.6, 1/125, ISO 200, no flash

Compare

F5.6 1/100 ISO200 FLASH

Shoot many poses from different angles

F7.1, 1/400, ISO 200, no flash F5.6, 1/250, ISO 200, flash fired

Compare

RELATE to your subject and make them feel great

Ask them about their favorite sport or hobbyGetting your subject to TALK will help them

relax for a much more natural looking photograph

Family or group shots

Pose faces close together-strive for triangles

Try having one person lay down

Family pose idea

Place children in the foreground and parents behind them. Focus on the children, use a wider aperture to throw out the background

Engage them: Give your subjects something to do

Inspirational Checklist

• Analyze other photographers’ work on the Internet

• Scour clothing and interior design websites and at ideas for outfits, color and style

• Rummage around antique shops and seek out all things retro and quirky

• Keep an inspirational notebook where you can document things of interest for future reference

Bandana’s inspired this idea

Shoot location ideasParksLakes

GardensRailroad tracks

BoardwalksTrails

Subject’s home