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.