Portrait Photography: 8 Tips for Better Portraits
From lighting to posing — make every portrait look professional.
1. Use Window Light
Position subject facing a window at 45°. Soft, even light with gentle shadows. The most flattering light for faces.
2. Blur the Background
Use portrait mode on your phone or a wide aperture (f/1.8-f/2.8) on camera. Background blur (bokeh) separates the subject.
3. Focus on the Eyes
Always. Tap to focus on the nearest eye. Sharp eyes = great portrait, even if nothing else is perfect.
4. Keep the Background Simple
Solid colors, textures, or distant scenery. A busy background competes with the face.
5. Direct the Pose
"Turn slightly", "chin down a little", "look just past the camera". Small adjustments make huge differences.
6. Shoot at Eye Level
Or slightly above for slimming. Below eye level can look unflattering. Match the subject's eye line.
7. Use the Warm Preset
Warm skin tones always look better than cool. Apply our Warm or Golden Hour filter for immediate improvement.
8. Add Soft Vignette
15-25% vignette draws the eye to the face. Subtle enough to be invisible, effective enough to matter.