Portrait Photography How To

Shooting outdoor portraits in natural light seems easy, right, especially on a sunny day. Well, it may be easy to shoot them, but you won’t, necessarily, get flattering shots if you don’t know how to use the sun to your advantage.

Because her intent is to get the absolute best image in-camera, Lindsey Thorne is “pretty exact when it comes to lighting and posing.” When she describes her studio, the scene of almost all her boudoir sessions, as “modest and simple,” she’s citing an advantage. “I love shooting in a smaller room because I have so much control over the light.”

We often turn to Joe Edelman for easy-to-follow tutorials enabling readers to shoot like a pro without a lot of fancy gear. In the video below, you’ll learn how to create beautiful bikini glamour photos in less than five minutes.

While most photographers realize that a bit of supplemental light can make a huge difference in portrait photos, many shooters shy away from the technique because they think expensive gear, complicated skills, and a studio are required to get the job done.

Regardless of the genre of photography you enjoy most, sooner or later you'll be asked to shoot a few portraits of family or friends. Many photographers shy away from this task, either because don't know where to begin, or they're under the misconception that a studio and expensive/complicated lighting equipment is an absolute necessity.

Many photographers shy away from portraiture because of the misconception that a studio, expensive lights, and special skills are required to make images that impress. The quick tutorial below, from Adorama TV, dispels that myth and demonstrates how to make beautiful images outdoors with available light (and a few pro tips).

High-quality portraits can be difficult to make without a studio and a bunch of expensive gear. But if you have a willing model, a single light, a basic umbrella, and a simple backdrop (or even a white wall), you can capture some beautiful images.