Return to Assignments
PORTRAIT EXAMPLES
Ten Ways to Take Stunning Portraits reading assignment
PORTRAIT READING QUESTIONS (this is a MS Word download)

"PORTRAIT SESSION" ASSIGNMENT

YOUR ASSIGNMENT IS TO MAKE TWO INTERESTING PORTRAITS OF A PERSON
You will be submitting 2 images and a proofsheet with your 30 best images from the portrait session.

NAME YOUR IMAGES:
P#LASTNAME_PORTRAIT1
P#LASTNAME_PORTRAIT2
P#LASTNAME_PORTRAIT3 (this will be your proofsheet of 30 images)

WHAT EXACTLY IS A PORTRAIT? 
•A portrait is an image that principally describes the subject through expression, gesture, clothing and background. 
•The subject is photographed in a “set up,” “staged” or “posed” situation.

WHAT TO DO:
•Using beautiful light and composition, make a minimum of 30 exposures to create 2 amazing portraits of a person... (you will probably shoot more than 30 photos).
•YOU MUST MAKE NEW IMAGES FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT -YOU CANNOT USE IMAGES YOU'VE SHOT FROM ANOTHER ASSIGNMENT`!
•Both portraits & all 30 images on your proofsheet, need to be of the same person.

•You must photograph the same person, in a MINIMUM of 3 different locations! 
•DO NOT photograph your subject doing ANY action.
•Your subject should be still and posing for the camera. 

WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR...
•CREATIVITY -Be creative and experiment! Inspire us with your image making! Go beyond merely fulfilling the technical requirements.
•LIGHT -Look for beautiful light to photograph your subject.
•COMPOSITION -If possible, try the rule of thirds by keeping the head of the subject away from the direct center. Be aware of your framing, dont just point and shoot.
•VARIETY -You must photograph the same subject in a MINIMUM of 3 different locations!
•FOCUS -Be careful when you focus. Focus directly on the subject's eyes, changing your focus as often as you need, depending on if you move or if your subject moves. You might need to focus and recompose depending on you camera. Check the focus every time you take a picture.
•BACKGROUND -Place your subject in an area with a consistent background. Look out for poles, trees, or other distracting, objects coming out of their head or lurking in the background of the photo...
•CONNECTION OR MOOD -Frequently, some of the best portraits of are taken when the person is not smiling or looking directly into the camera. Try many different expressions and positions and have the subject look into the camera, and also away. Also, watch for those "in-between" natural moments, when the subject is not paying attention.