My best advice (from my experience anyway) is not to make it feel like a shoot. Sounds silly I know but I feel that getting your "subjects" as comfortable as possible is the best way to get a great portrait. I'm also not a big fan of the traditional pose and shoot portrait, what I really enjoy are those candid and unexpected moments.


Take this shot, for example. I was shooting a couple onSundayforsome save the date cards for their wedding later on in the year. This was my favourite shot of the day and it was just as they were getting up on top of the car and I was taking a couple of test shots to check the lighting. One of those great candid moments.


I also find a couple of beers or wines help out to relax people and get them to enjoy the shoot rather than consider it a job. Might be a little harder with children if that's what you're planning to shoot. [:P]


Just make it as fun as possible I think.


5D MkII, 24-70mm f/2.8L @ 24mm & f/10, ISO 200, 1/50 sec, 580 ex II at half power fired through white shoot through umbrella camera right


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