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.