If you would like to learn how to shoot better portraits, you need to pay attention to portrait poses. You might get all the technical aspects of the photo down pat, like setting up flattering lighting and getting the correct exposure, but if you ignore the pose, the person sitting for the portrait isn’t likely to be happy with the result of the photo shoot. Fortunately, you can learn to pose subjects better for portraits using these five simple tips.

1. Avoid straight-on shots. Shooting a portrait straight on tends to produce something that looks like a fancied up passport photo. If your subject really wants to face forward, at least make them lean against a wall or tree slightly, so they won’t be so stiffly centered in the frame.

2. Tuck the chin. Have your subject pose with their chin tucked in slightly. You want enough of a tuck to avoid the up-the-nose shot, but not so much that the subject’s neck starts to wrinkle.

3. Shoot from above. Getting a slightly downward angle onto your subject often results in a very flattering portrait. Many people’s features look best at this angle, and the position also makes for nice catchlights in the eyes.

4. Keep the background simple. In a portrait, the focus should be on the person, not the background. Avoid overly fussy or dramatic backdrops. Instead look for simple textures and keep the background slightly out of focus.

5. Beware the hands. When people pose for a portrait, they often become hyperaware of their hands and are unable to figure out what to do with them. If you can, keep the hands out of the shot. Otherwise, have the subject tuck them into their pockets, fold their arms, or do something else that looks natural.

If you want to learn more, take a look at online tutorials!

If you’re a freelance photographer, there is no getting around the fact that you need to have an excellent website, to promote your work and your services. Word of mouth is great, but creating a stunning online portfolio opens the door to a world of new opportunities.

Putting yourself and your work out into the public sphere, however, means that you need to make sure that the end product is something that people will remember, for the right reasons. If you’re creating a freelance photography portfolio, online, therefore, here are three tips that will help you to stand out from the crowd.

1.     Crisp, clean and professional. As a freelance photographer, your website should be a reflection of who you are; it must scream professionalism and be synonymous with quality. To this end, WordPress should be the tool of choice for any freelance photographer. WordPress allows you to work with an easy to use template, has a range of visually stunning themes, is SEO friendly and gives you the freedom to make your website whatever you need it to be.
2.     Select only your best work. This should go without saying, but still deserves a mention. Your online portfolio should only contain your best work. Don’t compromise on quality, use only high quality images, and ensure that you include images that will leave a lasting impression on those that see your site.
3.     About me. The about me section of your online portfolio is THE most important page on your site, as well as being the most clicked on. The about me page is a chance to sell yourself and your services, so the writing must be clear, concise and engaging. Not all photographers, however, are natural born writers. If you know that words are not your strength, consider asking for help from a friend, or hiring a professional, through a site such as Elance.

Another option you might want to consider (apart from freelancing) is affiliate marketing. Thousands of people are already doing it, and it can be pretty much about anything. You can sell books via Amazon, or pretty much any product you can think of via affiliate networks. Promoting online casinos can be quite profitable, those pay quite high commissions! Take a look at e.g. bestonlinecasino-bonus.co.uk. They are promoting various online casinos, but also inform about the latest games. So if you have an interest in any of those niches, get started today!