Here are a few other things to avoid when shooting outdoor portraits.

Avoid side lighting on women’s faces. Light coming in from the side accentuates texture. That’s the last thing most female models want to see in their shots because texture equates to skin aging or imperfections. Use a fill flash to minimize texture and avoid side lighting unless for special effect.

Don’t show frustration. Never, ever, never make subjects feel it’s their fault that the shoot isn’t going well. They’re already putting their self-confidence on the line by letting you take their picture. Don’t make them regret that decision. When shots go well, credit goes to the models. When shots go bad, it’s the photographer’s fault. Keep your ego in check so theirs can stay intact.

Avoid skimping on time or the number of frames you shoot. Your images may look good on that little 2″ LCD monitor, but when you blow them up on the computer screen, you’re going to see lots of things you don’t like. Take many shots of each pose, and if you’re lucky, you’ll end up with a few you really like.

Don’t torture models by making them look into the sun. Yes, you were told for years to shoot with the sun to your back. That rule was devised by the photographer, not the model. Blasting your subjects’ retinas with direct sun is only going to make them squint and sweat (and swear). Be kind to your models and they’ll reward you with great shots.

Avoid busy backgrounds. Bright colors, linear patterns, and chaotic landscape elements will detract from your compositions. Look for continuous tones without the hum of distracting elements.

When most folks think of portrait photography, they envision studio lighting, canvas backdrops, and a camera perched upon a tripod. But many photographers don’t have access to lavish professional studios, and honestly, it’s not necessary for dynamite portraits.

All you really need is a willing subject, a decent outdoor setting (preferably with trees), and your digital camera. Then you can be on your way to creating outstanding images.

First, start with the two magic rules for great outdoor portraits are:

Get close. The tighter you frame the shot, the more impact it will have. Extend your zoom lens and move your feet to
create more powerful images. Once you’ve moved in close, and have shot a series of images, get closer and shoot
again.

Use fill flash. Turning on the flash outdoors is a trick that wedding photographers have been using for years. If you
really want to impress your subjects, position them in the open shade (such as under a tree) with a nice background
in the distance. Then turn on the fill flash and make sure you’re standing within 10 feet (so the flash can reach the
subject). Your shots will be beautiful.

Once you’ve found a setting that you like and have everything in order, then “work the scene.” Start by taking a few straightforward images. Pay close attention while you have the model turn a little to the left, then to the right. When you see a position you like, shoot a few frames.

(Don’t get too carried away with this “working the angles” thing, or people will hate you. You’re not a swimsuit photographer on a Sports Illustrated location shoot. But the point is, don’t be afraid to experiment with different camera positions. Just do it quickly.)

Then move in closer and work a few more angles. Raise the camera and have the model look upward; lower the camera
and have the subject look away. Be sure to take lots of shots while experimenting with angles, because once you’re finished shooting and review the images later on your computer screen, you’ll discard many of the pictures that looked great on the camera’s LCD monitor. The problem is that when they’re enlarged, you’ll see bothersome imperfections you didn’t notice before.

Communicate with your subjects and try to put them at ease. Nobody likes the silent treatment from the photographer. It makes them feel like you’re unhappy with how the shoot is going.

Tai chi, which originated in China as a martial art, is a mind-body practice in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Tai chi is sometimes referred to as “moving meditation”—practitioners move their bodies slowly, gently, and with awareness, while breathing deeply. This Backgrounder provides a general overview of tai chi and suggests sources for additional information

Tai chi developed in ancient China. It started as a martial art and a means of self-defense. Over time, people began to use it for health purposes as well.
Accounts of the history of tai chi vary. A popular legend credits its origins to Chang San-Feng, a Taoist monk, who developed a set of 13 exercises that imitate the movements of animals. He also emphasized meditation and the concept of internal force (in contrast to the external force emphasized in other martial arts, such as kung fu and tae kwon do).

The term “tai chi” (shortened from “tai chi chuan”) has been translated in various ways, such as “internal martial art” and “supreme ultimate fist.” It is sometimes called “taiji” or “taijiquan.”
Tai chi incorporates the Chinese concepts of yin and yang (opposing forces within the body) and qi (a vital energy or life force). Practicing tai chi is said to support a healthy balance of yin and yang, thereby aiding the flow of qi.

People practice tai chi by themselves or in groups. In the Chinese community, people commonly practice tai chi in nearby parks—often in early morning before going to work. There are many different styles, but all involve slow, relaxed, graceful movements, each flowing into the next. The body is in constant motion, and posture is important. The names of some of the movements evoke nature (e.g., “Embrace Tiger, Return to Mountain”). Individuals practicing tai chi must also concentrate, putting aside distracting thoughts; and they must breathe in a deep and relaxed, but focused manner.