Start here · Essential guide
Portrait Photography: The Complete Guide
Learn what portrait photography is, the main types with examples, and the basics of light, lens, aperture, posing and connection to make better portraits.
Portraits
Portrait Fundamentals
8 guides, starting with Portrait Photography: The Complete Guide.
Choosing the Right Shutter Speed for Portrait Photography
Find a safe shutter speed for portraits: starting ranges for posed and moving subjects, the focal length rule, flash sync speed and slow-speed tips.
Eyes and Emotion in Portrait Photography
How to photograph sharp, engaging eyes and draw out genuine emotion in portraits, from focus and catchlights to building trust and directing with prompts.
Famous Portrait Photographers to Learn From
Meet well-known portrait photographers, from Julia Margaret Cameron to Annie Leibovitz, and see what each one's approach can teach you about light and connection.
Great Photography Books Worth Reading
A practical reading list of photography books for learning exposure, composition and portraits, plus influential photobooks and how to choose what to read first.
Portrait Photography Editing Styles and When to Use Them
Compare common portrait editing styles, including light and airy, moody, cinematic, matte, film and black and white, and learn how to choose and stay consistent.
Portrait Poses and Best Camera Angles
Practical portrait poses and camera angles: body turns, hands, head tilt, eye-level versus high and low angles, and how to direct people who feel awkward.
The Best Lens for Portrait Photography
Compare 35mm, 50mm, 85mm and 70-200mm lenses for portraits, and learn how focal length, aperture and sensor size affect backgrounds and facial proportions.
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