1. Poor Lighting
* The Mistake: Using harsh, unflattering light, or not enough light. Relying solely on the camera's built-in flash can create flat, lifeless images with harsh shadows.
* The Fix:
* Natural Light is Your Friend: Position your subject near a window for soft, diffused light. Avoid direct sunlight, especially during midday. Overcast days are actually ideal!
* Reflectors: Use a reflector (white, silver, or gold) to bounce light back into the shadows and fill in the face. A simple white foam core board works wonders.
* Diffusers: Soften harsh sunlight by using a diffuser (scrim). You can buy a professional one, or even use a white sheet.
* Off-Camera Flash (Speedlights): Learn to use an external flash unit *off* the camera. Bouncing the flash off a ceiling or wall creates much softer, more natural-looking light. Invest in a flash modifier, such as a softbox, umbrella, or beauty dish.
* Golden Hour: Shoot during the "golden hour" (the hour after sunrise and the hour before sunset) for warm, flattering light.
2. Unflattering Posing
* The Mistake: Stiff, unnatural poses. Having your subject stand rigidly straight on can be unflattering.
* The Fix:
* Angle the Body: Have your subject angle their body slightly away from the camera (about 45 degrees). This creates a more slimming and dynamic look.
* Bend Limbs: Avoid straight arms and legs. A slight bend at the elbow or knee looks more relaxed.
* Shift Weight: Encourage your subject to shift their weight onto one leg.
* Chin Up (Slightly): A slightly raised chin helps to eliminate the appearance of a double chin. *But don't overdo it!* It should feel natural.
* Give Direction: Don't just say "smile." Provide specific instructions like, "Imagine you're laughing at a funny joke" or "Think about something you love."
* Practice Poses: Study portrait photography and learn basic poses that work well. Practice them yourself in front of a mirror.
* Communicate and Connect: Talk to your subject and make them feel comfortable. A relaxed subject will look better in the photos.
3. Distracting Backgrounds
* The Mistake: Busy, cluttered backgrounds that take attention away from the subject. A tree seemingly growing out of their head is a classic example.
* The Fix:
* Keep it Simple: Choose a clean, uncluttered background. A solid wall, a blurred landscape, or a natural setting with minimal distractions are all good options.
* Use a Wide Aperture (Shallow Depth of Field): Set your camera to a wide aperture (e.g., f/2.8, f/4, f/5.6) to blur the background and create separation between your subject and the background.
* Change Your Perspective: Move around and experiment with different angles to find a background that works well. Sometimes just a few steps to the left or right can make a big difference.
* Consider Composition: Think about the elements in the background and how they relate to your subject.
4. Incorrect Focus
* The Mistake: The subject is not sharp. Often, the camera focuses on the background instead.
* The Fix:
* Focus on the Eyes: The eyes are the most important part of a portrait. Make sure they are tack sharp.
* Use Single-Point Autofocus: Select a single autofocus point and place it directly over the subject's eye.
* Back-Button Focus: Consider using back-button focus. This separates focusing from the shutter button, allowing you to focus and recompose without the camera constantly refocusing.
* Manual Focus: In challenging lighting conditions or with difficult subjects, manual focus can be more accurate.
* Check Your Focus: Zoom in on the image on your camera's LCD screen to make sure the eyes are sharp.
5. Poor Composition
* The Mistake: Placing the subject in the center of the frame, leading to a boring and static image.
* The Fix:
* Rule of Thirds: Imagine dividing your frame into nine equal parts with two horizontal and two vertical lines. Place your subject at one of the intersections or along one of the lines.
* Leading Lines: Use lines in the background to draw the viewer's eye to your subject.
* Negative Space: Leave some empty space around your subject to create a sense of balance and visual interest.
* Experiment with Different Framing: Try different crops, such as close-ups, medium shots, and full-length portraits.
* Avoid Chopping Off Limbs: Be careful not to cut off your subject at awkward points, such as the elbows or knees.
6. Over-Editing
* The Mistake: Applying too much editing, resulting in an unnatural and artificial-looking image. Examples include overly smoothed skin, unrealistic colors, and excessive sharpening.
* The Fix:
* Subtlety is Key: Aim for natural-looking edits. Less is often more.
* Focus on Color Correction: Adjust the white balance and colors to create a realistic and pleasing look.
* Skin Retouching (Judiciously): Remove blemishes and smooth the skin, but avoid making it look plastic or fake. Preserve skin texture.
* Sharpen Sparingly: Sharpen the image just enough to bring out the details, but avoid creating halos or artifacts.
* Take Breaks: Step away from your computer for a while and then come back to your edits with fresh eyes.
* Compare to the Original: Always compare your edited image to the original to make sure you haven't gone too far.
7. Shooting at Eye Level (Always)
* The Mistake: Always shooting from your own eye level, leading to predictable and sometimes unflattering results.
* The Fix:
* Change Your Perspective: Try shooting from above, below, or at an angle.
* Get Low: Shooting from a lower angle can make your subject appear taller and more powerful.
* Get High: Shooting from a higher angle can create a more intimate and vulnerable feel.
* Consider the Subject's Height: Adjust your position to flatter the subject's height. If they are shorter than you, get down on their level.
8. Ignoring Wardrobe and Styling
* The Mistake: Not paying attention to what your subject is wearing and how they are styled. Clashing patterns, distracting logos, and unflattering clothing can ruin a portrait.
* The Fix:
* Coordinate Outfits: Suggest solid colors and simple patterns that complement the background and the subject's skin tone.
* Avoid Distracting Logos and Graphics: These can take attention away from the subject's face.
* Consider the Setting: Choose clothing that is appropriate for the location and the overall mood of the portrait.
* Offer Styling Advice: If you're comfortable, offer suggestions on hair and makeup. A little bit of makeup can go a long way in a portrait.
* Encourage Comfort: Make sure your subject is comfortable in their clothing.
9. Using the Wrong Lens
* The Mistake: Using a lens that distorts the subject's features or doesn't provide the desired depth of field. Wide-angle lenses can distort facial features in close-up portraits.
* The Fix:
* Portrait Lenses (Ideal): Lenses in the 50mm to 135mm range are generally considered ideal for portraits.
* Avoid Wide-Angle Lenses (Close-Up): Avoid using wide-angle lenses (e.g., 16mm, 24mm, 35mm) for close-up portraits, as they can distort the subject's face.
* Consider Compression: Longer focal lengths (e.g., 85mm, 135mm) compress the background, creating a blurred and dreamy look.
* Zoom Lenses: Zoom lenses offer flexibility, but prime lenses (fixed focal length) often have better image quality and wider apertures.
10. Not Connecting with Your Subject
* The Mistake: Treating the portrait session as a technical exercise rather than a human interaction. The subject feels uncomfortable and the photos look forced.
* The Fix:
* Build Rapport: Take the time to talk to your subject and get to know them. Ask about their interests, their personality, and what they want to convey in the portrait.
* Make Them Feel Comfortable: Create a relaxed and positive atmosphere. Offer encouragement and praise.
* Give Clear Direction: Explain what you want them to do and why.
* Be Authentic: Be yourself and let your personality shine through.
* Listen to Their Feedback: Ask them if they have any preferences or concerns.
11. Ignoring the Hands
* The Mistake: Forgetting about the hands, resulting in awkward or distracting hand positions.
* The Fix:
* Give the Hands Something to Do: Have the subject hold an object, rest their hands in their lap, or place them in their pockets.
* Avoid Clenched Fists: Relaxed hands look more natural.
* Be Mindful of Hand Placement: Avoid placing the hands in front of the face or neck.
* Use the Hands to Communicate: The hands can be used to express emotion and add interest to the portrait.
12. Shooting in Auto Mode
* The Mistake: Relying solely on the camera's auto mode, which may not choose the optimal settings for portrait photography.
* The Fix:
* Learn Aperture Priority Mode (Av or A): Aperture priority mode allows you to control the aperture (which affects depth of field) while the camera automatically sets the shutter speed.
* Learn Manual Mode (M): Manual mode gives you complete control over the aperture, shutter speed, and ISO.
* Understand the Exposure Triangle: Learn how aperture, shutter speed, and ISO interact to affect the exposure of your image.
* Use a Light Meter: A light meter can help you to accurately measure the light and set the correct exposure.
13. Not Checking Your Settings Before Shooting
* The Mistake: Failing to double-check your camera settings (ISO, aperture, shutter speed, white balance) before you start shooting, leading to blurry images, incorrect colors, or noise.
* The Fix:
* Develop a Pre-Shoot Checklist: Create a checklist of settings to review before each shoot.
* Pay Attention to the Light: Adjust your ISO and aperture based on the available light.
* Set the White Balance: Choose the correct white balance setting to ensure accurate colors.
* Review Your Images: Take a few test shots and review them on your camera's LCD screen to make sure everything looks correct.
14. Being Afraid to Experiment
* The Mistake: Sticking to the same techniques and styles, resulting in predictable and uninspired portraits.
* The Fix:
* Try New Things: Experiment with different lighting techniques, poses, compositions, and editing styles.
* Study Other Photographers: Look at the work of other portrait photographers for inspiration.
* Take Risks: Don't be afraid to try something completely different.
* Embrace Failure: Not every experiment will be successful, but you'll learn something from each one.
15. Not Practicing Enough
* The Mistake: Expecting to become a great portrait photographer overnight without putting in the time and effort to practice.
* The Fix:
* Practice Regularly: The more you practice, the better you'll become.
* Shoot Every Day (If Possible): Even just a few minutes of practice each day can make a big difference.
* Find a Mentor: Learn from an experienced portrait photographer.
* Take Workshops or Classes: Formal instruction can help you to improve your skills and learn new techniques.
* Be Patient: It takes time to develop your skills and find your own style. Don't get discouraged if you don't see results immediately.
By avoiding these common mistakes and implementing the suggested fixes, you'll be well on your way to creating stunning and memorable portraits! Good luck!