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A portrait is a treasured family memory. These days, the basics of portrait photography are a snap! The photo studio can range from professional setup, to the average living room.

Studio Equipment:
One or more light sources.
A white umbrella or reflector board, to bounce light and minimize shadows.
Tripod or stable surface (optional)

Posing the Model
A successful portrait captures the essence of the model. In standard portrait pose, the model sits at a slight angle, face toward the camera. Try a variety of poses. Chat with the model. A tense subject looks unnatural. As the model relaxes, character and mannerisms emerge.

Eliminate background clutter. In some cases, background detail can enhance the shot, but should not overwhelm. The primary focus is the model.

The human eye doesn't always notice details. A photo retouching service can soften backgrounds and remove unwanted elements, like the lamp growing out of baby's head.

Babies and Children
Get down to the child's level, and play! A child's smile is genuine if he or she is having fun. Use a faster shutter speed to avoid blur. Experiment with angles. Take multiple shots to capture the range of expression on baby's face. For newborn portraits, put baby on a blanket in diffused natural light, and kneel above. A photo retouching service can crop and enhance photos, for intimate close-ups.

Lighting
Flash is harsh without a secondary light source. Natural light is flattering. It brings a subtle glow to skin tones, and softens shadows.

Some photographers use up to five light sources, but two are enough: a main light, and a secondary source or reflector board to eliminate shadows.

The closed studio allows more lighting control. The general rule has the main light at a 45-degree angle to the model, with options for creativity. Experiment with light positioning, and watch for shadows on the model's face.

Exposure
Exposure is the amount of light entering the camera. Overexposure is too much light. Aperture width and shutter speed help control exposure. The aperture setting also determines depth of field, or focal range.

For portraits, use a wider aperture setting for a shallow depth of field. Some cameras have automatic settings. It's best to set the camera manually, even if it takes time and may involve reading the instructions!

ISO speed determines the camera's sensitivity to light. Limited light needs a higher ISO speed. The drawback is a grainy quality to the photo. Professional retouching can remove graininess.

Photo Retouching
A professional photographer takes dozens of photos to get one good shot. Sometimes, the perfect shot is ruined by busy background, imperfect focus or bland lighting. In the past, photographers had to buy equipment and labor in the darkroom to fix flaws. Nowadays, a photo retouching service can quickly work wonders to crop, repair and enhance photos.

In every situation, there are elements beyond control of the photographer. Professional technicians understand the value of cherished photos. A photo retouching service brings portraits to life, and helps create beautiful family memories for years to come.

Learn more about this author, M.J. Holliday.
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