Studio Portrait Tips
Studio portrait photography offers complete control over lighting, composition, and mood, allowing photographers to craft striking, professional-quality images. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just stepping into the studio, understanding key techniques can make all the difference in capturing compelling portraits.
In this article, we’ll cover essential tips to help you create studio portraits that stand out. Get ready to elevate your studio photography skills and bring your creative vision to life!
Image by James Flores
Edited with Quest 45 Atelier
Lighting
One of the biggest reasons portrait photographers opt for a studio setup instead of heading out on location is for control over lighting. It’s easier to set up light stands, softboxes or umbrellas, and V flats or reflectors in a studio setting where you’re not worried about the wind picking up your diffuser and blowing it away!
Image by Helena Duque
Edited with Quest 45 Atelier
There are various types of lighting setups for portraits, but to mention a few common components of light setups:
Key Light - The main source of light on your subject
Fill Light - Adds light to soften shadows for more balance
Back Light or Rim Light - Light positioned behind the subject to create separation from the background
Hair Light - Light aimed at the subject’s hair to add depth and help separate them from the background
Background Light - Illuminates the backdrop
Many studio photographers use combinations of the above lights to light their subjects. That said, there are also a lot of natural light studio photographers who just use window light or skylights in their studio work! Don’t let lighting intimidate you when planning a studio portrait session.
If you’re working with only natural light or a simple light setup, you can use Quest 45 Atelier Presets to morph the light to mimic three different professional lighting modifiers!
Parabolic Softbox - Umbrella-like softbox with a more focused beam of light that creates controlled, directional light with contrast and depth.
Lantern Softbox - Spherical or balloon-shaped softbox that produces soft, diffused, omnidirectional light.
Beauty Dish - Soft but contrasty directional light that enhances features, often used for fashion or beauty photos.
Tip: Look for the eyelights in your subject’s eyes! Eyelights are reflections of light sources in the eyes in portrait photography, and they create catchlights that add depth, life, and emotion to your image. The eyes will be more vibrant and expressive if you make sure you’re catching those eyelights as you photograph people.
Image by Mariola Zoladz
Edited with Quest 45 Atelier
Composition and Posing
With studio portraits, most components of your photo are in your control as the photographer— light, space, background— but you’ll need to learn how to pose, prompt, and compose your subjects in the studio setting as well.
Some tips:
Guide, don’t force poses - Give loose directions and prompts instead of rigid instructions when posing people for more natural, candid expressions and reactions. One of the biggest pitfalls you can fall into is posing someone in an uncomfortable position, and that discomfort showing in their face and body language. Observe your subject or model and see how they naturally move and adjust poses or movements to fit their ability and intuitive positioning.
Encourage Movement - Gestural movements like shifting weight or adjusting posture can create organic and relaxed expressions and body language. For faster movements, don’t forget to bump up your shutter speed to capture crisp focus.
Tip: Sometimes you can get great facial expressions and emotions by asking your subject or model to picture themselves as a character from a book or movie, or a storytelling scenario so they have something to think about as they pose!
Image by Kasia Choma
Edited with Quest 45 Atelier
Image by Venture Out Photography
Edited with Quest 45 Atelier
For multiple subjects:
Connection - Establish a connection between your subjects by encouraging them to interact in subtle or obvious ways. Think of why your subjects are in frame together, give them some direction to get more chemistry and interesting expressions.
Have them lean towards each other, place a hand or lean their faces on the other.
Use various heights and angles or stagger their positions to create dynamic compositions.
Change Up the Studio Space
Your studio space doesn’t have to stay minimal and bare— decorate the space to bring in natural elements, props, furniture, and more! Each session can be totally unique by adding florals or branches to bring in the outside world, or use different backdrops that fit the theme of your portrait session.
Some backdrops mimic architecture or painterly elements to give studio portraits a timeless feel or make it seem like you’re photographing in a totally different space.
Image by Gail Secker Photography
Edited with Quest 45 Atelier
Image by Soko Photos
Edited with Quest 45 Atelier
Image by Soko Photos
Edited with Quest 45 Atelier
Make the location into your studio— if you’re using a location, bring some elements of control to the space by incorporating elements of a studio.
Add a backdrop on location with a backdrop stand.
Bring ways to create height layers, like boxes or chairs for subjects to sit or lean on.
Bring off-camera flash to control lighting.
Find an area with soft, even light (usually open shade) to set up your impromptu studio!
Image by Hannah Richards Photography
Edited with Quest 45 Atelier
Image by Vivid Symphony
Edited with Quest 45 Atelier
With practice and a creative approach, you can transform your studio work into stunning, timeless imagery. Now, it’s time to grab your camera, step into the studio, and start creating!
Do you photograph studio portraits? Tell us your favorite tips below!