Portrait photography is among the most rewarding yet challenging genres to master. Capturing family memories, creating professional headshots, or documenting strangers during travels all require understanding fundamental skills and approaches that can transform ordinary snapshots into images that resonate, have meaning, nuance, and reveal something more profound. In this short guide, we will explore some practical and technical aspects of portrait photography and look at ways to build rapport and nurture respectful human connections, which will elevate your portraits.

Essential Equipment
Good portraits don't necessarily demand fancy cameras, lenses, and lighting. However, choosing the right tools is still important and will impact your photographs. In the first instance, no matter what kit you're using, you should know your kit inside and out. Nothing kills the mood faster or gets in the way of the creative process more than fumbling with settings while the subject waits awkwardly.

Most portrait specialists reach for lenses in the 85-110mm range (35mm equivalent). These focal lengths flatter faces without the distortion typically seen with wider lenses. Wide angles can work well for environmental portraits but get too close to your subject and some features will seem exaggerated and are generally unflattering.

Lighting needn't be complicated or expensive either. In fact, a considered and thoughtful use of natural light often beats elaborate lighting setups. A simple reflector to bounce light into shadowy areas is among the best investments any portrait photographer can make.

However, if you want more control, you might start modestly: perhaps one or two lights (LED or flash), some stands, and basic modifiers like softboxes. If you’re unsure, it’s worth considering renting a studio with equipment or even joining workshops to get a sense of what you need before buying.

Understanding Lighting
Good lighting can transform ordinary portraits, whether working with natural daylight, continuous LEDs or studio flashlights.

If you’re starting out, you may benefit from using natural light first and taking the time to notice how different lighting conditions affect your subjects. A willing and patient model can help with this. Look for different lighting situations and experiment, shooting in open shade provides soft, even light that flatters almost everyone. North-facing windows give beautiful, consistent illumination. The ‘golden hour’, that magical time just after sunrise or before sunset, can bathe everything in warm, directional light. While the harsh, hard light of the midday sun creates dramatic shadows, it can be a challenge even for experienced photographers. Dappled light through trees creates interesting patterns, though this too takes practice to master.

For studio setups, simplicity works best initially. The classic three-light arrangement includes a main light (positioned about 45 degrees to the subject), a fill light opposite to soften shadows, and a backlight creating separation from the background.

Many professionals can get great results with just one light and a reflector. Studio lighting also allows you to add ‘modifiers’, such as softboxes, umbrellas, reflectors, beauty dishes, and so on. These allow you to ‘sculpt’ the light to create effects in a more controlled environment.

The Human Connection
Here lies the difference between good portraits and great ones: genuine connection. A technically flawless but emotionally empty portrait rarely resonates with viewers the way a slightly imperfect image capturing authentic feeling does.

Many successful photographers will engage and chat with their subjects before taking a photo. Simple conversation helps people relax and can often reveal aspects of the subject’s personality, which can be incorporated into the image. Building rapport isn't just good practice for camera-shy individuals (and many people are); it's an essential part of the process.

However, building rapport can be difficult, and time constraints can also be a factor with some types of photography, such as street portraits.  When working with strangers or in busy settings, try making eye contact and simply smiling before raising your camera; showing people images on-screen often builds instant trust. Better still, offer to make a print, using a Citizen printer, like the CX-02, and offer to send them a copy.

As for expressions, smiles aren't always necessary. Serious portraits can be powerful without big gurning grins. Business headshots might need just a hint of approachability. Family photos might include various expressions, while children look best when genuinely happy rather than "saying cheese." Whatever the case, authentic expressions always outshine forced ones, and it’s part of your job as the photographer to create an environment where this happens naturally. It’s not easy, but practice helps.

Practical Tips for Better Portraits
Certain approaches generally produce better results, although it can often be good to break the ‘rules’. Shooting at eye level or slightly above generally flatters most faces, defining the jawline and opening up the eyes. Sharp focus on the eyes, specifically the eye closest to the camera in angled shots, creates that solid connection point.

Backgrounds matter! Distracting elements behind subjects ruin otherwise lovely portraits, and it’s easy to overlook this when you're starting out. Using wider apertures (around f/2.8-f/4) will create an often-pleasant background blur photographers call "bokeh," which helps create some separation between the subject and the background.

Small adjustments often make substantial differences. Moving just inches can catch better light in the eyes or soften harsh shadows across the face.

When directing people, less instruction often yields more natural results. Minimal guidance followed by allowing natural moments to develop works well. Shooting in quick bursts captures subtle changes in expression. Showing enthusiasm when capturing something good creates contagious energy that builds subject confidence.

Street and Travel Portrait Photography
Travel portraiture brings unique challenges and rewards. These images capture not just individuals but cultural contexts and human stories across language barriers.

Respect must come first. Making eye contact and acknowledging people before photographing them establishes essential goodwill. Better still, establish a dialogue; apart from anything, it’s a great way to engage with people from different countries and cultures.  When words fail, gestures communicate effectively. Showing people their photo after taking it often creates an instant connection, sometimes leading to even better opportunities.

A travel kit-bag should remain light but versatile. Cameras with medium zoom lenses allow working from comfortable distances without intimidating subjects. Cultural awareness matters - in some places, professional-looking equipment attracts unwanted attention, while elsewhere, it might actually open doors.

Researching local customs about photography, especially regarding women and children, prevents awkward situations. It’s also important to be aware of a country's privacy laws; seeking permission resolves doubts and generally creates a better and more respectful experience for everyone. Some photographers even mail prints later as thank-you gestures.

Final Thoughts
Portrait photography blends technical expertise with interpersonal skills in unique ways. While understanding cameras, lighting, and composition matters greatly, connecting with subjects matters more. The portraits that linger in memory reveal something genuine about both person and moment.

With practice and genuine curiosity about people, photographers create images transcending simple documentation to capture meaningful human connections.

When printed on Citizen's advanced photo printers, these portraits truly shine. Their exceptional colour accuracy and detail preserve all the subtle skin tones and emotional nuances that make portraits special, ensuring precious encounters remain vivid for years to come.

See the Citizen Photo range of printing hardware, software, media, more blog features and lots more at Citizen.Photo