Outdoor portrait photography tips

Whether you're aiming to capture stunning scenic images or flattering photos of friends and family, these tips will help you take your work to the next level...

What is outdoor portrait photography?

Outdoor portrait photography is a genre that involves taking images of people in natural surroundings, which can include anything from pristine landscapes to city streets. Portrait photographers often choose outdoor locations because they provide a more natural and relaxed setting than a studio.

This helps to capture genuine expressions and emotions. Another advantage of outdoor portrait photography is that it allows for a greater range of background possibilities.

Outdoor portrait photography tips

1. Pick a single focus point

One of the most important aspects of portrait photography is choosing a focus point. For any type of portrait photography, it's crucial to have crystal-sharp focusing.

One way to consistently get a sharp focus is to use single focus point mode. Now, in order to activate this setting on your camera, you'll have to read the manual or watch a video. Some cameras also have Eye AF technology, which is also great.

Once you have single focus point mode or Eye AF technology turned on, you will want to put the focus point on the eyes of your subject.

You may be thinking, there's only a single point so which eye should I put it on? I personally just like to put it on one eye - the one that is close to you if the subject is turned. If the subject is straight on, I'll still choose one eye.

This leads us to our next point.

2. Focus on the eyes

Regarding portrait photography, it's important to focus on the eyes.

Not only is focusing on the eyes vital for getting a good composition and exposure in your photos, but it's also an essential element of making sure that your subject looks alive and vibrant.

When you're photographing outdoors, it can be tempting just to take a photo of whatever is in front of you. However, if you want to create a great portrait, you must focus on your subject's eyes.

This doesn't mean you have to have the eyes in the center of the frame all the time, but they should be your main focus. One way to ensure you capture great portraits is to select an aperture that gives you sharp focus on your subject's eyes.

If you're unsure what aperture to choose, a good starting point f-stop is f/2.8 or f/4, depending on the lighting conditions and other factors.

3. Try different angles and perspectives

One of the best things you can do when it comes to portrait photography is experiment with different angles and perspectives. For example, instead of always taking the photo from eye level, try getting down low or photographing from above.

This will not only give your photos a unique look but also help you capture different aspects of your subject's personality.

It's also a good idea to experiment with different angles regarding group portraits. Instead of having everyone stand in a row, try photographing from the side or back. This will help you capture the group's different personalities.

4. Use a fast lens

When you're taking portraits outdoors, it's important to use a fast lens. A fast lens has a large maximum aperture, such as f/1.4 or f/1.8.

Using a fast lens allows you to take photos in lower light conditions and creates a shallow depth of field. When photographing portraits, it's often a good idea to use shallow depth of field to help your subject really stand out from the background.

If you're unsure what lens to get for portrait photography, a 50mm f/1.8 or f/2 is a great choice. But keep in mind that there are a lot of great lenses out there, so it's important to do your research and find the one that best suits your needs.

5. Choose the right lens

Another important aspect of portrait photography is choosing the right lens. While a 50mm lens is a good choice for many types of portrait photography, it's also helpful to have some flexibility in your lens selection.

Another great lens choice is the 85mm. The focal length you choose for your portraits is up to you and is based on your photography style.

I love to use the 50mm prime lens, which allows me to get a bit closer to my subject(s) and allows me to converse with them and make the session a bit more "personal," which I've found helps relax the client -- resulting in better final images and overall experience.

6. Photograph on an overcast day

One of the best ways to capture stunning portraits outdoors is to photograph on an overcast day. Overcast weather offers wonderful diffused light, which will help you create soft and flattering images.

It will also help you avoid harsh shadows or squinting subjects, both of which can ruin your photos. If you're unsure when an overcast day is coming, you can use a weather app to track the weather forecast.

This will help you to plan your outdoor portrait sessions and get great results every time.

7. If sunny, find shade

One of the best things you can do when taking portraits in bright sunlight is to find some shade. If you don't have the leisure of picking an overcast day to photograph, then photographing in the shade is a pro tip.

The shade will help to diffuse the sunlight and make it much easier for you to get great results. It's important to note that shade isn't only found under trees - large buildings or structures also create natural shade.

8. Wait for golden hour

If you really want to capture stunning portraits, wait for the golden hour. It is one of the best times for outdoor portrait photography.

Golden hour is the time just before sunset when the light is soft and warm. This is an ideal time for taking portraits because the lighting is so flattering.

Not only will your subjects look great, but the background will also take on a beautiful hue. If you can, try to plan your portrait sessions around golden hour. This will help you to get the most beautiful light and the best results.

9. Use a reflector

When photographing outdoors, one way to add some fill light is to use a reflector. A reflector is simply a piece of white or silver card that you can use to bounce light back into your subject's face.

This is a great way to add some extra light without using a flash. Reflectors are especially useful when photographing in bright sunlight. If you don't have a reflector, you can also use a piece of white cardboard or even a white T-shirt.

10. Sunny 16 rule

Another great tip for taking portraits outdoors is to use the Sunny 16 rule. The Sunny 16 rule is a simple exposure formula that works well with natural light.

It states that when your aperture value is set to f/16, your shutter speed should be inverse of your current ISO speed. So, if your ISO is 100, your shutter speed should be 1/100 or 1/125.

I've found that if it's an overcast day, you should set your shutter speed to 1/(2 x ISO). So, if your ISO is 100, your shutter speed should be 1/200 or 1/250.

The sunny 16 rule is a great starting point for getting the right exposure outdoors. Of course, you'll still need to adjust your settings based on the specific conditions. However, using the sunny 16 rule will help you get great results, even when you're photographing in less-than-ideal lighting conditions.

11. Plan your session beforehand

When capturing portraits outdoors, it's always a good idea to plan your session. This will help you to make sure that you have everything you need and that you're prepared for anything.

You should consider the time of day, the location, and the weather forecast before your session. Having a general plan for what you want to achieve is also a good idea.

• Do you want to capture candid portraits or posed portraits?
• Do you want to take a portrait in black and white or color?

Answering these questions beforehand will help you to get the most out of your portrait session.

12. Watch what’s in the background

When capturing portraits, it's important to know what's in the background. A busy or cluttered background can distract from your subject and ruin your photo.

Instead, try to find a simple background that won't detract from your subject. A plain wall or a solid color backdrop are great choices for portrait backgrounds.

If you're photographing in a natural setting, look for an area with some nice foliage or a beautiful view. Just make sure that the background doesn't take away from your subject.

The last thing you want to happen is to take a beautiful outdoor portrait photo and then see ugly power lines in the back (been there, done that).

13. Bring a gray card

A gray card is a useful tool that can help you to get the perfect exposure.

A gray card is simply a piece of white or silver cardboard that you can use to reflect light into your camera. By using a gray card, you can ensure that your camera is getting the correct amount of light. This is especially important when photographing in mixed lighting conditions.

The best way to use a gray card is to take a photo of it before you start taking a photo of your subject. Then, you can use the photo of the gray card to set the correct exposure for your portrait. This will help you to get the perfect exposure, even in difficult lighting conditions.

14. Photograph in RAW

When taking portraits, you'll want to make sure that you're capturing your images in RAW format. RAW is a file format that gives you the most control over your image settings. It allows you to adjust contrast, white balance, and color saturation after the fact.

This can be especially helpful when capturing outdoor portrait photos in difficult lighting conditions. If you're not sure how to photograph in RAW, then check your camera's manual. It's usually pretty easy to switch your camera to RAW mode.

And if you're using a DSLR, you can usually just set it to record in RAW + JPEG. This will give you a JPEG image that you can use right away, as well as a RAW file that you can edit later.

15. Consider using a flash

Although you might think that flash is only useful for photographing indoors, it can also be a useful tool when taking portraits outdoors.

If the lighting conditions aren't ideal, then using flash can help to brighten things up and fill in some of the shadows. However, if you do use a flash outside, make sure you're using a diffuser. This will help you to get softer, more balanced light and avoid harsh reflections or unflattering shadows on your subject.

In general, it's best to use as small of a flash as possible so that it doesn't overpower the natural light in the scene. Using fill-flash can be a great way to get beautiful outdoor portraits, even in difficult lighting conditions.

Just make sure you use a diffuser so the light is soft and flattering.

What settings should I use for outdoor portraits?

There's no one perfect setting for taking portraits outdoors. It all depends on the lighting conditions and the look you're going for.

However, there are a few things to remember when setting up your scene. First, you'll want to ensure your shutter speed is fast enough to avoid camera shake. This will vary depending on the focal length of your lens, but as a general rule, you should aim for at least 1/125th of a second.

You should also consider using an ISO setting that is high enough to capture the scene without introducing too much noise. In general, it's best to keep your ISO as low as possible.

But if you're photographing in low light, then you may need to increase your ISO to avoid getting blurry photos.

Finally, you should make sure that your aperture is set to the desired depth of field. If you want a shallow depth of field, then you'll need to use a large aperture (small f-stop number). But if you want a deep depth of field, then you'll need to use a small aperture (large f-stop number).

Keep these things in mind when setting up your scene, and you'll be sure to get the perfect exposure.

Which mode on the camera is best for outdoor photography?

There is no one "best mode" for outdoor photography. It all depends on the look you're going for and the type of lighting conditions you're photographing in.

However, there are a few settings that you may want to consider using when taking portraits outdoors. For example, if you're photographing in challenging lighting conditions, you may want to consider using Aperture Priority mode.

This will allow you to control the depth of field in your photo while the camera takes care of the rest.

Another option is to use Program mode, which allows you to control the aperture and shutter speed while the camera automatically adjusts everything else.

Ultimately, there is no "best mode" for outdoor photography; it all depends on your preferences and the specific photographing conditions you face. However, by understanding the different settings available to you, you can better control your camera and get beautiful outdoor portraits every time.

Best times for outdoor portrait photography

When it comes to planning a portrait photography session, photographers are often faced with several questions.

One of the biggest questions is what time of day would be best for an outdoor photo shoot.

1. Blue hour

Blue hour is often considered to be one of the best time for outdoor portraits because it’s great for capturing natural light without any harsh shadows.

Blue hour tends to last about 30 minutes and gives photographers a soft, cool light that looks beautiful in images. But what exactly is blue hour?

Technically speaking, blue hour refers to the period of twilight that occurs just after sunset and right before sunrise when the sky is lit up with a rich blue color. This time of day typically produces some of the most beautiful and soft light for photography, making it one of the most popular times for portrait shoots. Blue hour is a great time if you are going for a moody look.

Another advantage of shooting at blue hour is that there aren’t as many people or vehicles on the streets, so you can often get access to locations that would normally be too crowded during the day.

The only downside to blue hour is that it’s a very short window of time, so you need to be prepared and know exactly what you want to capture before the light fades away.

2. Golden hour

If you’re looking for a warm and glowing light, then golden hour is also one of the best time for outdoor portraits.

Golden hour occurs right after sunrise or before sunset when the sun is low in the sky and casts a beautiful golden light.

This time of day is often considered to be the most ideal for photography, as it provides a warm and flattering light that can make even the most ordinary subjects look beautiful. While golden hour might be the best time for outdoor portraits, there are a few other factors that may make it more or less ideal for your photography session.

These include things like the weather, the natural light in your location, and even the clothing or props that you plan to use in your portrait. Ultimately, it’s up to you as a photographer to choose the best time and location for your shoot, based on what you want to capture and the look that you are going for.

But with so many options available, it’s easy to find a time of day that works well for both you and your subjects.

3. Morning light

Morning light is often overlooked as a good time for outdoor portraits, but it can actually provide some beautiful soft light that is perfect for photography.

The key to using morning light is to find a location that gets direct sunlight, such as an open field or park. Then, you can position your subjects so that the sun is behind them, which will create a soft and flattering light.

One advantage of shooting in the morning is that there are often fewer people around, so you can get access to locations that would normally be too crowded during the day.

Additionally, the air is usually more still in the morning, which can make for better photos since there won’t be as many distracting elements like trees or flags moving in the wind. The downside of shooting in the morning is that the light can be quite harsh, so you’ll need to be careful about how you position your subjects.

Additionally, the sun rises quite quickly, so you’ll need to be prepared to shoot as soon as the light becomes available.

4. Evening light

If you’re looking for a softer, more diffused light for your outdoor portraits, then evening light is often a great choice.

This time of day provides excellent opportunities for shooting romantic and moody images, as the sun starts to set and the natural light takes on a warm and beautiful glow.

There are many other factors that can affect the quality of light in the evening, such as the weather and the time of year. But overall, evening light is often very flattering and can provide some stunning results.

The only downside to shooting in the evening is that it can be quite difficult to find a location that has good lighting. Additionally, the light fades quickly in the evening, so you’ll need to be prepared with your camera and equipment.

5. Middle of day

Even though the middle of the day is often considered to be the worst time for photography, there are actually some great opportunities for outdoor portraits.

The key is to find a location that has diffused or soft light, such as under tree cover or next to a building. Then, you can use this soft light to your advantage by positioning your subjects so that the light is behind them.

Photographing out in the open when the sun is directly overhead will produce a hard light.

One advantage of shooting in the middle of the day is that there are often more people around, which can provide some interesting background elements for your photos.

Additionally, the light is usually quite consistent during this time of day, which can be helpful if you’re planning to shoot a series of portraits.

The downside of shooting in the middle of the day is that it can be quite harsh and unflattering, so you’ll need to be careful about how your subjects are positioned.

Additionally, because there is more ambient light during this time, it may be difficult to achieve a softer look without using artificial lighting techniques.

But let’s say you are going for a vogue fashion look and want that hard light, then the middle of the day would be the best time for you. See how there is no one “best” time — because it all depends on the look you are going for!

6. Twilight/night

If you’re looking for a truly unique and dramatic look for your outdoor portraits, then consider shooting at twilight or night.

This time of day can provide some stunning results, as the atmosphere of this light is mysterious and moody.

One advantage of shooting at twilight or night is that there are often fewer people around, which can provide some interesting background elements for your photos.

Additionally, the light is usually quite consistent during this time of day because you are often dealing with moonlight, which can be helpful if you’re planning to shoot a series of portraits.

The downside of shooting at twilight or night is it can be very dark which means you will need to rely on artificial lights such as light poles or other light emitting objects.

You will also need a good camera that can handle high ISO values without creating a lot of noise in the photo.

In conclusion, there are many things to consider when taking outdoor portraits, including the use of flash and different camera settings. To get the best results, make sure you're using a diffuser with your flash and experimenting with different camera modes.

Above all, keep in mind that there is no one perfect setting for photographing outdoors; it all depends on the look you're going for and the specific conditions you're photographing in. With a little practice, you'll take beautiful outdoor portraits in no time!

This article is also a part of our Portrait Photography Resource Hub, so be sure to check that out for more portrait photography tips.