1. Unflattering Posing:
* Mistake: Stiff, unnatural poses. The subject looks uncomfortable and the photo feels forced. Common examples: arms straight at the side, standing directly facing the camera with shoulders squared.
* Fix:
* Create Angles: Encourage your subject to turn their body slightly to the side. This creates curves and visual interest.
* Bend Limbs: A slight bend in the arms and legs is much more natural than locking them straight. Have them slightly rest their weight on one leg.
* Hand Placement: Guide your subject on where to place their hands. Common options include: in pockets (partially), on their lap, playing with their hair, holding an object, resting on a wall, or lightly touching their face/neck. Avoid awkward or distracting placement.
* Direction: Don't just say "pose". Provide *specific* direction. Instead of "Stand there", say "Turn your left shoulder slightly toward me, and place your weight on your right leg."
* Communication is Key: Talk to your subject! Build rapport, give encouraging words, and provide constant feedback. A relaxed subject is a more photogenic subject.
* Look up sample poses: Before the session, look for poses online that you like. Then you can use those as a foundation and adjust them for your subject.
2. Poor Lighting:
* Mistake: Harsh shadows, blown-out highlights, uneven skin tones.
* Fix:
* Golden Hour: Shoot during the "golden hour" (shortly after sunrise and before sunset) for soft, warm, and flattering light.
* Open Shade: Find a shady area away from direct sunlight. This creates soft, even light. The open shade should face a source of light, like the sky.
* Diffusers: Use a diffuser to soften harsh sunlight. A large white sheet can also work in a pinch.
* Reflectors: Use a reflector to bounce light back into the subject's face, filling in shadows and adding catchlights to the eyes. White, silver, and gold reflectors offer different tones.
* Fill Flash: In some situations (e.g., backlight), a subtle fill flash can balance the exposure. Use it sparingly to avoid a harsh, artificial look.
* Observe the Light: Pay close attention to the direction and quality of light and adjust your subject's position accordingly.
3. Unflattering Angles:
* Mistake: Shooting from a low angle (emphasizing chins and nostrils) or a very high angle (making the subject look small and insignificant).
* Fix:
* Eye Level: Often, shooting at or slightly above eye level is the most flattering.
* Experiment: Don't be afraid to try different angles, but be mindful of how they affect the subject's appearance.
* Chin Position: Instruct your subject to slightly lower their chin (not drastically!) to avoid a double chin.
* Consider Body Type: Different angles work better for different body types. For example, a slightly higher angle can be slimming.
4. Busy or Distracting Backgrounds:
* Mistake: A cluttered background that draws attention away from the subject.
* Fix:
* Simplicity: Choose a simple, uncluttered background (e.g., a plain wall, a field of grass, a blurred landscape).
* Shallow Depth of Field: Use a wide aperture (low f-number) to blur the background and isolate the subject.
* Distance: Increase the distance between the subject and the background to further blur it.
* Angles: Change your shooting angle to exclude distracting elements from the frame.
* Composition: Look around the edges of your frame and make sure no trees are coming out of their head.
5. Incorrect Focus:
* Mistake: Blurry eyes.
* Fix:
* Focus on the Eyes: The eyes are the most important part of a portrait. Ensure they are sharp.
* Single-Point AF: Use single-point autofocus (AF) and carefully select the focus point on the subject's closest eye.
* Back-Button Focus: Consider using back-button focus (separating focusing from the shutter button) for more control.
* Check Sharpness: Zoom in on your LCD screen after taking a shot to verify that the eyes are in focus.
6. Ignoring Composition:
* Mistake: Placing the subject dead center or cutting off limbs awkwardly.
* Fix:
* Rule of Thirds: Imagine dividing your frame into thirds both horizontally and vertically. Place key elements (like the subject's eyes) along these lines or at the intersections.
* Leading Lines: Use lines in the scene to draw the viewer's eye towards the subject.
* Negative Space: Leave some empty space around the subject to create a sense of balance and visual breathing room.
* Avoid Cutting Off Limbs at Joints: If you're cropping, avoid cutting off limbs at major joints (e.g., elbows, knees, wrists). Crop above or below the joint.
7. Unnecessary Cropping/Too Tight Framing:
* Mistake: Cutting off too much of the subject, making them feel cramped or claustrophobic in the frame.
* Fix:
* Breathe: Give your subject some space around them. It allows for a more natural and pleasing composition.
* Consider the Context: How much of the environment is important to the story you're trying to tell? Frame accordingly.
* Avoid Extremes: Overly tight crops can feel intrusive, while overly wide shots can make the subject feel lost. Find the right balance.
8. Not Adjusting Camera Settings:
* Mistake: Using default camera settings without considering the lighting conditions and desired effect.
* Fix:
* Aperture: Control depth of field. Wider apertures (lower f-numbers) create shallow depth of field (blurred background), while smaller apertures (higher f-numbers) create greater depth of field (more in focus).
* Shutter Speed: Control motion blur and brightness. Faster shutter speeds freeze motion, while slower shutter speeds allow more light in but can blur movement.
* ISO: Adjust for light sensitivity. Lower ISO settings produce cleaner images in good light, while higher ISO settings allow you to shoot in low light but can introduce noise (grain).
* Metering Mode: Understand your camera's metering modes (e.g., evaluative/matrix, center-weighted, spot) and choose the one that best suits the scene.
* Shoot in Manual Mode: While daunting at first, manual mode gives you the most control over your camera settings. Practice!
9. Ignoring White Balance:
* Mistake: Colors looking unnatural (too warm/orange or too cool/blue).
* Fix:
* Set White Balance: Adjust your camera's white balance setting to match the lighting conditions (e.g., daylight, cloudy, shade, tungsten, fluorescent).
* Auto White Balance (AWB): Can be okay in some situations, but it's often better to choose a specific setting for more accurate colors.
* Shoot in RAW: RAW files allow you to adjust white balance in post-processing without losing image quality.
10. Over-Processing in Post-Production:
* Mistake: Making skin look plastic, over-sharpening, or using harsh filters.
* Fix:
* Subtlety: Use post-processing tools sparingly. The goal is to enhance the image, not completely transform it.
* Skin Retouching: Use techniques like frequency separation or dodge and burn to subtly smooth skin while preserving texture.
* Avoid Over-Sharpening: Sharpen only as needed, and use masking to avoid sharpening unwanted areas (like skin).
* Color Grading: Use color grading to create a mood and style, but avoid extreme or unnatural colors.
* Step Back: Sometimes it's helpful to take a break from editing and come back with fresh eyes.
11. Not Communicating with Your Subject:
* Mistake: Silence or awkward interactions that make the subject feel uncomfortable.
* Fix:
* Chat: Engage in conversation with your subject to help them relax and feel comfortable.
* Give Clear Direction: Provide specific and easy-to-understand instructions about posing and expressions.
* Positive Reinforcement: Offer encouragement and compliments to boost their confidence.
* Listen: Pay attention to your subject's cues and adjust your approach accordingly.
12. Forgetting About Eye Contact:
* Mistake: The subject never looking at the camera. While this *can* work artistically, it often feels disconnected if not intentional.
* Fix:
* Direct Gaze: Encourage direct eye contact with the lens to create a connection with the viewer.
* Look Away: Intentionally have the subject look slightly off-camera to create a sense of intrigue or introspection. Explain *why* you want them to look away.
* Variety: Capture both direct and indirect eye contact to provide variety in your images.
13. Not Using the Right Lens:
* Mistake: Using a lens that distorts the subject's features or doesn't create the desired look.
* Fix:
* Focal Length: Lenses in the 50mm to 135mm range are generally considered ideal for portraits because they minimize distortion. An 85mm lens is a popular choice. Wider angle lenses (e.g., 24mm, 35mm) can be used for environmental portraits, but be aware of potential distortion, especially near the edges of the frame.
* Aperture: Choose a lens with a wide maximum aperture (e.g., f/1.8, f/2.8) for shallow depth of field and beautiful bokeh.
* Experiment: Try different lenses to see what works best for your style and subject.
14. Not Checking Your Settings Frequently:
* Mistake: Setting your camera up at the start and not double checking it.
* Fix:
* Monitor the Light: As the light changes, your settings need to change.
* Double Check: Right before you take the photo, double check that your settings are what you want them to be.
15. Lack of Preparation:
* Mistake: Winging it without a plan.
* Fix:
* Scout Locations: Visit the location beforehand to assess the lighting and background options.
* Plan Poses: Have a few basic poses in mind to start with. Use Pinterest or other resources for inspiration.
* Gather Props (If Needed): If you're using props, make sure they are relevant to the subject and enhance the image.
* Communicate with the Subject: Discuss the vision for the shoot with the subject beforehand to ensure everyone is on the same page.
* Charge Batteries and Clear Memory Cards: The basics!
By avoiding these common mistakes and implementing the fixes, you'll be well on your way to taking stunning portrait photographs. Good luck!