Portrait photography involves taking photographs of individuals or groups of people.
If you interview different portrait photographers, you will realize that they started in various ways. Many of them began by capturing events like those of Unibet for IT companies and online casino conferences.
Some have taken online classes, while others have gone through formal training and acquired certificates from colleges. Whichever route you may take, the bottom line is the quality of your work. It takes the zeal to learn, considerable experience, and creativity to produce the perfect portrait.
Portrait Photography: Getting Started
If you are an aspiring portrait photographer, here is a guide to get you started.
Learn Technical Skills
You will come across many technical tools in your journey to portrait photography. Get familiar with cameras, lenses, as well as lighting equipment.
Image editing is also a vital skill since you will need it to refine your pictures using computer programs. You can learn to use essential software tools in educational institutions such as vocational centers, art schools, and universities. Some online courses are also excellent sources of knowledge.
Gain Experience
After getting the necessary training, you can apply for a job or internship as a photo assistant. Your role will be providing technical and administrative support to a seasoned photographer.
While on the job, you will be responsible for photo editing, looking after equipment, and assisting expert photographers during photo shoots. You may also get the opportunity to perform photo-shoots on your own.
You might make some mistakes at this stage, but you will have a professional to correct you. Before parting ways with your employer, you will have experience in using photography equipment and shooting at different events.
Apart from gaining experience, the job will connect you with different clients on the field. Your portfolio will also be growing, and it will pay off in the future.
Take Certifications
Most portrait photographers run their businesses under their own rules. Obtaining certifications such as the Certified Professional Photographer (CPP), will present you as an expert, and help you to stand out from the crowd. Add that to your portfolio and watch your client base grow.
Shooting the Perfect Portrait
Education and owning equipment is not enough. For each picture you take, the following aspects will come into play.
Camera Choice
To be a professional portrait photographer, you must have a connection with your camera. Select a high-quality DSLR camera and have all its features at your fingertips. It should produce sharp images in high resolution to deliver fantastic pictures after post-processing.
Lens Options
There isn’t a lens suitable for all portrait photography. It’s up to you to select the one which emphasizes the desired details. Sometimes, you will be focusing on the subject alone, while the background will be crucial in some circumstances. Distinguish when to use which lens.
Proper Lighting
Expert photography requires smart utilization of the available light sources. Wrong lighting makes the subject dark, or to have a mix of shadows and bright patches.
Consider investing in a flashgun. The camera flash may help to balance exposure for pictures taken in the sun. Learn how to regulate the camera aperture and exploit various light sources for stunning photographs.
Post-Processing
You cannot overlook photo editing and retouching if you want striking photographs. There are affordable tools for removing unwanted elements or objects from the image. Enhance the photos to your client’s taste, since some people have reservations about edited pictures.
The Takeaway
Learning the technical skills of portrait photography is a great way to commence your career. It can open doors for jobs where you interact with professionals and potential clients.
After gaining experience and building a portfolio, you can hardly go wrong in the photography business.