How to Take Better Portrait Photos

Let’s face it, taking a great portrait photo can feel tricky, whether you're snapping your kids in the backyard, your dog’s funny face while eating his favorite treat, capturing your partner at golden hour, or just trying to get your bestie’s “good side.” The good news? You don’t need a fancy camera or pro gear to take a beautiful portrait. You just need to know what to look for.

Here are a few easy, beginner-friendly tips to help you take portrait photos that feel natural, flattering, and full of personality, whether you’re using a DSLR or just your phone!

Chase the Good Light

Light can make or break a portrait. It’s what gives the photo mood, shape, and life. Here's what to look for:

• Soft light is your best friend. Bright midday sun can create harsh shadows under the eyes and nose. Instead, look for:

  • Shade on a sunny day (under a tree, next to a building)

  • Cloudy skies (yes, overcast is actually great for portraits!)

  • Golden hour - that soft, warm light right after sunrise or before sunset. It’s super flattering on skin tones.

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Bonus tip: If light is hitting your subject from the side or behind, it adds depth and a natural glow to hair and skin.

👉 But a quick heads-up about background light:If the light is behind your subject (like the sun setting behind them), it can make their face look too dark or even turn them into a full silhouette. If that’s not the look you’re going for, just turn them around so they’re facing the light or have it coming in from the side. If you try to brighten their face afterward, chances are the background will end up totally washed out or blown out.

Focus on the Eyes

If there’s one thing to make sure is sharp in a portrait, it’s the eyes. They’re the emotional anchor of any portrait. When the eyes are in focus, the whole image feels more connected.

📱 On a phone, just tap on the eyes on your screen to set focus.

📸 On a camera, use single-point focus and place it right on the subject’s eye.

Pay Attention to Backgrounds

A busy background can distract from your subject, so take a second to check what’s behind them. Move around if needed.

✔️ Look for:

• Solid color walls

• Open shade (like under trees)

• Soft, blurry backgrounds like a garden or field

  
  

❌ Avoid:

• Trash cans

• Lamp posts “growing” out of heads

• Clutter or messes in the frame (unless that’s the vibe!)

Give Gentle Direction (or Capture Candid Moments)

If you're photographing someone else, try not to just say, “Smile!” Instead, ask them to look off to the side, or think about something that makes them laugh. Even saying something goofy like, “Pretend you’re smelling cookies,” can get a genuine reaction.

Sometimes the best portraits happen when people forget the camera is there.

For selfies or portraits of yourself: Use a self-timer or a remote shutter, and move around! Change your angles, try different expressions - just have fun with it.

Try Different Angles and Framing

A straight-on photo is fine, but don’t be afraid to experiment:

• Slightly above eye level: Often more flattering, especially for selfies

• Rule of thirds: Try placing the subject off-center for a more dynamic shot

• Tighter crop: Focus on just the face or upper body for more impact

• Environmental portrait: Pull back to include some surroundings if they add to the story

  
  

Edit Lightly

A little editing goes a long way. You don’t need to go overboard with filters, just adjust brightness, contrast, and warmth to bring your portrait to life. Most phones have editing tools built in, or you can try free apps like:

• Snapseed

• Lightroom Mobile

• VSCO

Final Thoughts

Great portraits aren’t about perfect poses or equipment. They’re about light, connection, and the little moments in between. With just a few small tweaks, your portraits can start feeling more polished, more meaningful, and way more “wow.”

👉 Want to dive deeper into this? I have dedicated blog posts on lighting and composition with lots of examples and easy tips, check those out if you’re ready to level up your portraits!