Those who are interested in pursuing a career in the photography business might consider portrait photography as one of the most prominent professional genres. Increasing your talents as a portrait photographer can allow you to access a wide variety of options in the commercial, corporate, and private sectors of the photography industry. If you are serious about taking your photography to the next level, taking online photography classes can be extremely beneficial. Not only will they provide you with the necessary skills, but they will also assist you in developing your creative eye by providing you with an understanding of the philosophies maintained by some of the most famous photographers in the world. Making Exceptional Portraits Possible When it comes to portrait photography, you are confronted with a multitude of creative options, such as the location, lighting, composition, and the overall “mood” of the picture. You will learn about these choices in online photography classes. However, the way in which you posture your subject is one of the aspects that might determine the success or failure of a photograph. For a more formal portrait, there are tried and true poses that allow the subject to be captured in the most flattering position possible. While there are situations in which you may choose to take a completely candid photograph and permit your subject to move freely and as they please, there are also poses that are more formal. It should be brought to your attention that, without trying to look sexist, there are certain “classic” positions that work better for men and women simply because to the fact that they are physically different. Traditional poses for women to use in portraiture When a lady is sitting, one of the most flattering stances for her is to tilt her head and one shoulder slightly toward the camera, while also lowering her chin a little bit. The most comfortable approach to enable this is to have your subject sit down, point her knees away from you, cross her legs or ankles, and then turn her upper body back to you. This will allow you to better facilitate this position. When you get more skill, you will learn how to modify this in a wide variety of ways, including standing positions, while still maintaining the fundamental concepts. Tips: Take pictures of the subject from above her eye line whenever it is feasible, and be sure to ask her to draw her shoulders back slightly so that you are never shooting directly at her. In a portrait, the hands of a woman are of utmost significance; if she is unsure of how to express herself with them or if she is experiencing any kind of discomfort, it will be reflected in the final picture to a far greater extent. Although it is a common stance, the hand under the chin pose has the potential to conceal a significant portion of the subject’s face. Another method that is more effective is to request that they put one hand on their shoulder or neck in order to create a frame that seems more natural. When you are posing women’s hands, the most important phrases to remember are “soft” and “relax.” You may get a different, more relaxed stance by having your subject lay down and photographing them from ground level. This is going to be especially effective when you are shooting outside. It is possible to include positions in which the subject is laying on their side, back, or front, all of which contribute to a lighthearted and laid-back atmosphere. The Traditional Pose for Men In contrast to a woman, the most flattering whole body stance for a guy is to picture him head on. This is done in order to maximize the breadth of his shoulders, and the only thing that is slanted ever so slightly is his head. It is not a good idea for a guy to lean against a tree or a wall since it has the potential to make the resulting photograph seem uncomfortable and manufactured. Have the subject of your picture strike a position in which his legs are spread wider and/or his arms are crossed. This will give the image an even greater impact and portray an additional sense of authority. A more relaxed atmosphere may be achieved by placing one hand on his hip, tucking his thumbs into his pockets, and moving his weight to one leg. This can be done in order to provide the desired effect of a more relaxed atmosphere. It is helpful to provide your subject with something to lean against, such as the back of a table or chair, when you are trying to get a head and shoulders photograph with a relaxed vibe. When it comes to a more official setting, however, the use of business props such as a laptop, diary, or notepad will provide an air of seriousness. Participate in Online Photography Courses and Gain Knowledge from Industry Experts It is impossible to find a more effective instructor than experience when it comes to portrait photography. However, for those who are just beginning their photography journey or are looking to expand their skill set, enrolling in online photography classes taught by renowned fine art masters provides an incredible glimpse behind the scenes into how these accomplished photographers create their iconic photographs. Publisher’s Plate Masters of Photography is an organization that provides online photography classes taught by some of the most accomplished photographers in the world. Adam Harper is a Photography Consultant at Masters of Photography. Participants are able to discover helpful tips and techniques and make significant progress in their photography by taking advantage of the courses, which are designed to be adaptable to all skill levels and give lifelong access to lessons that are simple to understand. Through participation in the online community, one has the ability to draw inspiration not only from the Masters but also from other students.