When I first started my journey as a photographer, I never imagined how powerful capturing someone’s essence could be. A single frame can tell stories, evoke emotions, and preserve memories for years to come. But let’s be honest, portrait photography isn’t as simple as pointing a camera and clicking.

Over time, I’ve learnt that creating beautiful portraits is a blend of technique, creativity, and connection. In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know as a beginner, from choosing the right gear to mastering lighting, posing, and editing. Think of this as your complete companion to building confidence as a portrait photographer.

What is Portrait Photography

Portrait photography is the art of capturing people. But it goes beyond snapping a smiling face, it’s about revealing personality, mood, and even the story behind the eyes. A great portrait doesn’t just show someone; it makes you feel something about them.

Whether you’re photographing a newborn, a couple, or an entire family, your job is to create images that feel authentic and timeless. That’s why portrait photography remains one of the most sought-after services I offer at Mahvin Photography.

Building a Connection with Your Subject

The best portraits always come from trust and connection. Before I even lift my camera, I take time to talk with my clients and let them feel comfortable in the moment. That simple interaction helps ease nerves and allows their true personality to shine through.

Understanding their vision is key. Whether they want something formal, natural, or playful, I match the styling, location, lighting, and poses to fit. This foundation helps me capture portraits that feel authentic and timeless.

Why Start with Portrait Photography

There are countless photography genres out there, so why begin with portraits?

• Relatable - Everyone can connect to a face.

• Builds Skill - You’ll master lighting, composition, and post-production faster.

• Rewarding - You get to give people images they’ll treasure forever.

• Accessible - No studio needed; natural light works wonders.

• Versatile - From families to graduates, portraits cover many occasions.

• Improves Communication - You’ll learn to guide and connect with people.

• Opens Opportunities - Portrait work often leads to referrals and steady clients.

You don’t need a studio to start. Even natural light and a basic camera can go a long way when used well.

How a Workflow Elevates Your Portraits

Having a clear workflow is essential in portrait photography. It helps me stay organised, keep my clients comfortable, and ensure every session runs smoothly. Following a process also allows me to anticipate challenges, make creative decisions quickly, and adapt to different personalities and settings.

A thoughtful workflow gives me the freedom to be fully present behind the camera. It helps me notice fleeting expressions, adjust lighting naturally, and guide my subjects with confidence. Ultimately, it’s this structure that allows me to create portraits that truly reflect the personality, mood, and story of each person I photograph.

Essential Equipment for Portrait Photography

1. Cameras

As a beginner, you don’t need the most expensive gear. Any DSLR or mirrorless camera with manual settings will do the job. Look for:

• A camera with interchangeable lenses

• Decent low-light performance

• At least 20 megapixels for sharpness

2. Lenses

The lens matters more than the camera body. My go-to choices include:

• 50mm f/1.8 (“Nifty Fifty”) - Affordable and perfect for beginners

• 85mm f/1.4 - Beautiful bokeh and flattering perspective

• 24-70mm f/2.8 - Versatile for families and group portraits

3. Lighting Equipment

Natural light is your best friend, but learning artificial lighting will give you control.

• Reflectors (cheap and effective)

• Off-camera flash or softbox

• Continuous LED lights for flexibility

Mastering Light in Portrait Photography

Lighting can make or break your portraits.

Natural Light

I often recommend starting with natural light, especially during golden hour, which is after sunrise or before sunset. It creates soft, flattering tones.

Studio Lighting

Once you’re comfortable, experiment with studio setups. A single softbox angled at 45° can create dramatic yet soft portraits.

Using Reflectors

If the light is harsh, a reflector can bounce soft light back onto the subject, reducing shadows.

The Art of Posing

Posing is one of the trickiest parts of portrait photography, especially if your subject feels nervous in front of the camera. Here are tips I use during sessions:

• Start with simple standing or seated poses.

• Use prompts instead of stiff instructions (“Look at the person you love most” works better than “Smile”).

• Capture candid moments in between poses.

• Give hands something to do, such as holding a prop, adjusting clothing, or resting naturally.

• Play with angles by slightly turning the head or shoulders to add variety and flattering lines.

• Encourage movement and ask the subject to walk, laugh, or interact for dynamic shots.

• Always watch posture and relax the shoulders, or elongate the neck to make a huge difference.

Settings and Choosing the Right Background

The background should never steal the spotlight from your subject.

Studio

Neutral backdrops let the subject’s personality shine.

• Experiment with coloured fabrics or seamless paper for variety.

• Use lighting setups to control mood (soft light for portraits, dramatic shadows for character).

• Add subtle props only if they support the story, not compete with it.

Outdoors

Parks, beaches, gardens, or textured walls work well.

• Use natural light during golden hour for softer tones.

• Avoid overly busy backgrounds that distract from the subject.

• Incorporate seasonal elements like autumn leaves or spring flowers for extra charm.

Indoors

Keep it clean and uncluttered.

• Position your subject near a window for natural light.

• Neutral walls or minimal décor keep the focus sharp.

• Remove distracting items like cords, clutter, or harsh patterns.

Remember, depth of field matters. Blurred backgrounds with wide apertures (f/1.8–f/2.8) keep the attention on your subject.

Working with Different Types of Portrait Photography

Portrait photography isn’t one-size-fits-all. Each type requires a slightly different approach to get the best results:

Family Portraits

When photographing families, focus on connection rather than perfection. Encourage natural interactions, like walking, laughing, or hugging, so the portraits feel warm and authentic.

Kids’ Portraits

Children rarely sit still in kids' photoshoots, and that’s a good thing. Work with their energy instead of against it. Keep the session playful, bring props if needed, and let genuine smiles shine through.

Sitter Sessions

Babies around 6-9 months are curious and expressive. Use simple setups that highlight their personality. Make sure the environment is safe, comfortable, and distraction-free.

Graduation Portraits

Graduates want portraits that capture both pride and personality. Mix formal cap-and-gown shots with relaxed, lifestyle-inspired poses to create a complete story of their achievement.

Newborn Portraits

For newborns, patience and safety are key. Keep the room warm, use soft lighting, and allow plenty of breaks. Having the proper training in newborn photography is essential to ensure both comfort and beautiful results.

Camera Settings for Beginners

Manual mode might feel intimidating, but once you understand the basics, it becomes second nature.

• Aperture (f-stop): Wider apertures (like f/1.8) give blurred backgrounds.

• Shutter Speed: Keep it fast (1/200 or more) for sharp images.

• ISO: Start low (100-400) to reduce noise.

• Focus: Always focus on the eyes.

Composition in Portrait Photography

Strong composition turns an average shot into a memorable one.

• Rule of Thirds - Place the subject off-centre for balance.

• Leading Lines - Use roads, walls, or pathways to guide the eye.

• Framing - Use windows, arches, or trees as natural frames.

8 Tips on Editing Your Portraits

Post-processing is where you polish your work and bring out the best in your images.

1. Adjust exposure and contrast - Balance brightness and shadows for a natural look.

2. Retouch skin naturally - Soften blemishes without removing texture.

3. Enhance colours subtly - Keep tones realistic, especially skin tones.

4. Sharpen key details - Focus on the eyes, hair, and clothing textures.

5. Crop and straighten - Fix distracting angles or reframe for better composition.

6. Use presets lightly - They speed up workflow, but always customise for each photo.

7. Check consistency - Make sure your final gallery feels cohesive in style.

8. Export properly - Save high-resolution copies for print and web-optimised versions for online sharing.

Beginner Tip: Step away from your edits for a few minutes to freshen up your eyes and help you spot over-editing.

Common Mistakes Beginners Should Avoid

• Shooting with poor lighting

• Over-editing skin

• Cutting off limbs awkwardly, like hands, feet, or head edges

• Using too much tilt or unnatural “Dutch angles”

• Not checking the subject’s posture or clothing details

• Over-relying on filters instead of proper editing

• Shooting only from one angle or perspective

• Forgetting to clean the lens causing blurry images

• Not giving the subject enough direction or comfort

• Relying on auto mode without learning manual settings

The Heart of Portrait Photography: Capturing Genuine Human Connections

If you’re just beginning your journey in portrait photography, whether as a newborn photographer or capturing families and individuals, remember that it’s not about having the fanciest camera or the perfect studio. It’s about seeing people for who they are and reflecting that in your images.

Whether you’re photographing a child’s laughter, a graduate’s pride, or a family’s bond, each portrait is a gift that lasts forever. At Mahvin Photography, I strive to capture these moments with care and authenticity.