Portraits are one of the most popular forms of photography, and it's not difficult to see why. From weddings to fashion and business, taking good pictures of others is a gift that will have you in high demand if you get good at it.

Taking good portraits is far from easy, however. Many beginners struggle in several areas, such as lighting and not making their model look awkward.

If you're looking to take your portrait photography to the next level, you're in the right place. Keep reading to discover eight practical tips you can take on board.

1. Scout Your Locations Beforehand

Picking the right location can dramatically alter the results of your portraits; you must choose somewhere that matches the theme you're aiming for. For example, dressing someone up in hiking gear before taking pictures of them in Times Square will probably look a little bizarre.

Before the photoshoot, it's a good idea to scout unique spots in the area. Take your camera with you and take some practice shots without a subject to see if it will work.

By scouting locations beforehand, you'll save a lot of time. Moreover, you'll know the best time to go—which means that you can also use lighting to your advantage.

2. Let Your Model's Eyes Tell the Story

Photo of a model having a portrait taken of them

When you have a conversation with someone, their facial expressions often speak louder than words. It's especially true for their eyes; usually, you can tell how someone truly feels from this alone.

During the photoshoot, make sure that the model's eyes are in focus. The framing should also ensure that the viewer looks at the eyes above all else. By doing this, you can tell a better story without needing to do too much.

3. Set Goals for the Photoshoot

Designing Mobile App With User Goals

It's easy to think that photography is nothing more than picking up your camera and snapping away, but that's not always the case. Sure, you can take good pictures without prior planning—but a little prep work will turn that "good" into "excellent".

You should always know what you want out of a photoshoot. If a client has commissioned the project, ensure you've got all the information you need from them. Most importantly, ask what they don't want and not just what they do want.

If you're photographing an individual, do the same thing. Ask what they're looking to get out of the shoot, and set your goals in line with what they say. This way, you'll ensure that everyone is happy.

Related: How to Prepare for a Street Photography Shoot

4. Buy a Suitable Lens

Photo of Nikon camera body and lenses

The lens you use can significantly alter how your pictures turn out, especially when it comes to portrait photography. Some can give your subject a more flattering look, whereas others can change the shape of their faces and bodies.

There isn't a right or wrong answer when it comes to buying a lens for portrait photography. Ultimately, it will depend on the style you're trying to achieve. An 85mm lens is one of the most common choices, but you can also get unique results with wider-angle ones.

If you're a little stuck at the moment, check out the best focal length for your first prime lens.

5. Talk to the Person You're Photographing Beforehand

two ladies having a conversation

We've already covered discussing objectives and planning accordingly, but it's also important to remember that the subject you're taking pictures of is a person. Yes, they're a client—but you should also get to know them on a personal level.

First and foremost, casually chatting with them will help them feel relaxed. The outcome of your pictures will most likely look more natural than would otherwise be the case.

Talking to the subject will also improve your portrait photography because they'll trust you more. This will lead to them being more cooperative, which, again, will increase the quality of the pictures you take.

6. Avoid Forced Poses

Photo of a person taking pictures outdoors

If you've spent any amount of time on Instagram or Pinterest, you might have an idea of different poses you'd like your subject to try. But beware—it's very easy for others to tell when something feels off.

When you're out and about, it's best to avoid forced poses where possible. Instead of going out with a rigid set of photos that you'd like to take, let things develop naturally; if you think something might work, you can always recommend it.

Always make sure that the person you're photographing feels comfortable with all the poses, too. Otherwise, you probably won't like the results after plugging your memory card into your laptop.

7. Keep the Color Theory Wheel in Mind

Screenshot of the Adobe color theory wheel

As you progress beyond the beginner photography phase, you'll almost certainly become more familiar with color theory. Simply put, this concept will help you determine which colors work best together—and why some images don't look as good as others.

If you want to improve your future portraits, looking at which colors do and don't compliment each other is recommended. An excellent free tool for this is Adobe Color.

After you've done a little research, you can think about how to make outfits and locations work together. As a result, your pictures will look more visually appealing.

8. Use Lighting to Your Advantage

Photo of a person taking a picture at golden hour

Almost everything in photography is about lighting, and shooting in the wrong conditions can completely change the mood and feel of your portraits.

For example, you should avoid shooting in the middle of the day during the summer, as this can give a harsh glare to your subject's face. On the flip side, golden hour will make things look more flattering.

Related: How to Take Golden Hour Selfies (and Why You Should)

Before starting your next photoshoot, think carefully about the mood you're trying to capture and plan around that. If you need to delay things by a couple of days to figure it out, so be it.

Practice Makes Perfect

Portrait photography is an enjoyable hobby that can potentially become a rewarding career. It's a great way to add value to people's lives by giving them memories they can hold onto forever, along with images they can use to boost their personal brand professionally.

You'll make many mistakes in the beginning, but doing so is a crucial part of the learning process. Having read this guide, you should have enough pointers to reduce that learning curve.