Portrait photography tutorial: Posing and composition | lynda.com

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This portrait photography tutorial discusses how to overcome your subject’s insecurities by working with their body position and changing the lighting. Watch more at

This specific tutorial is just a single movie from chapter two of the Family and Group Portraiture course presented by lynda.com author, and Pulitzer finalist, Natalie Fobes. The complete photography course has a total duration of 1 hour and 28 minutes, and shows how to capture engaging portrait shots of couples, families, and other groups using a variety of posing and composition techniques

Family and Group Portraiture table of contents:

Introduction
1. Before Shooting: Planning the Portrait
2. Posing and Working with a Subject
3. Photo Shoots and Strategies
4. Post-Processing Techniques for Portraits
Conclusion

46 Comments
  1. Giannis Veronis says

    some of these photos are very nice like the one @8:26

  2. steve dietz says

    Gosh there are some nasty comments here ! I just had a disastrous photo shoot which was very unflattering and can say I wish this lady had photographed me . Great manner and a good understanding on how to highlight a person with the right lighting unlike my experience! Well done !

  3. Jim Mauch says

    Good job. You showed how even those of us that don’t have the perfect features that one would expect from a professional model when a photographer uses proper posing very pleasing images can still be produced.

  4. Jim Atyeo says

    The lighting is making this poor man's nose look huge and scary. She needed a lot more flattering light for this gentleman. You some times have to scrap traditional lighting styles for some people to make them look good. The light is harsh and masculine, but he needed a flatter light so that it doesn't show up all of the imperfections on his skin and nose. As we see light coming from the side will just make any thing wrong with the skin look 10 times worse, she's trying to slim him when what I see is skin problems, not his size. Also that loose shirt makes him look even bigger. A dark shirt that didn't fluff out so much would have been better, a nice fitting button down shirt would have made him much thinner looking and more stylish. I am not fond of a video that can't decide if the teacher is dealing with an audience or treating it as a fake real shoot.

  5. CitizenActionNow says

    This girl knows whats up for sure. She takes her time and gets it done!

  6. zvesledahl says

    Photos feel super posed. Trying to find balance can be hard. Any suggestions?

  7. Joe Cerda says

    no flash…nice…thank you for sharing

  8. Maca Aranda says

    Loved her!

  9. Ls Lx says

    everybody dishing on her work or video or whatever stuff etc..pls u come up with ur expertise n show ppl what ur made of..
    Critiquing is easy..and lazy.
    mkn videos n explaining dynamics isnt. plus the cost that this takes..

  10. Mark Harris says

    I think both the model and Natalie are brave. I'm far from good looking and there's only one side of the camera you'd get me and it would never be on YouTube. Natalie is brave enough to say she wasn't happy with the earlier shots and then went on to show us how to correct it. As for those who who say he looked awkward, did you see the shots at the end? I wouldn't mind betting more than one of Natalie's assistants have gone onwards and upwards thanks to her training.

  11. ElliottandNolan says

    I think she is going to go ahead and say "go ahead…."

  12. Vikrant Dashputre says

    Keep it up.. your too good.. way u speak.. and explain.. Gr8

  13. Sayeddin M says

    First of all i felt in love with her manners.

  14. Daniel Venter says

    Goodness me this is so 80's

  15. C Beers says

    Don't want to be too harsh here Linda and really appreciate anyone trying to help other photographs out however, I didn't like these images at all…..sorry. The images seemed unbalanced (too much or too little light on his face), flat, and boring overall. Secondly, the guy that you're shooting seems totally uncomfortable. His discomfort and weird poses are reflected in the final images and should be deemed unsuitable for amateurs trying to learn about studio lighting or how to guide a shoot.

  16. 3unee says

    This isn't a knock on Natalie because I do admire her work. However, I'd make sure my subject emptied their pockets especially for full-body or 3/4 quarter shots. That mobile looks distracting 🙂

  17. MrJcasilva says

    To start off those firsts pictures weren't good at all; as the session was running, he seemed to become more comfortable and the last ones were good!

  18. tall32guy says

    Watching her gives me a better idea of how to talk to the subject, which is a big issue for me! Not too self-confident in how I talk to the subject, and what poses to use, etc. I know that practice will make me better, and, this gives me an idea of what to practice. 🙂

  19. Vaughn Felix says

    Why do all if these photos look horrible?!? This is supposed to be Lynda.com… It reminds me of 1985 like Mr. Rogers wife

  20. Gray House Productions says

    He doesn't look comfortable at all.

  21. jam clow says

    she may know what she's talking about but I think she just sucked all the fun out of photography, i'm selling my camera for crack and hittin the streets

  22. ajay fay says

    this is just sad. . .

  23. ppp says

    Asmr

  24. Riaan van Rooyen says

    Very nice Video!

  25. Jose Tabares PHOTOGRAPHY says

    2 point lighs in the eyes? this is OK?

  26. Claudio Trajtemberg says

    Forbes for the win.

  27. Hert Niks says

    That lady looks so creepy. Reminds me of my GP.

  28. Trevy Trev says

    I bet this lady hasn't genuinely laughed or smiled in about 10 years.  

  29. some really good tips here, thanks much

  30. тетенька – редкий бездарь… :))

  31. Fred Doe says

    I like the question 'do you mind if I fuss with your clothes (hands, chin etc.) in order to enter the subject's personal space in a friendly way.  I learned a lot in 10 minutes.  Thank you! 

  32. c1assic2310 says

    Great video. It helps me a lot to interact more with my subject 🙂

  33. GeroLubovnik says

    Lynda has very good personal skills, but her photographic skills are quite lacking. Her lighting technique is amateurish and her composition and posing are awkward. I would encourage her to enter professional photographic competitions where she can listen to the judges, incorporate their advice, apply what she learns and works on improving her skills further.

  34. Chanesmyname says

    Great understanding of flattering poses!

  35. Larry Warmsley says

    Outstanding information and clear definat 1,2,3's to do.

  36. Digant Shah says

    Can you please share couple of edited/post processed shots during this shoot ?

  37. Tyler Magee says

    She's making money doing what she likes to do but these awkward photos just aren't good looking… (Thats just my opinion) that monotone voice would make it so hard for to work with… how ever her lighting is great. but these poses are taught in high school art classes. I think she would make a better teacher.

  38. Uday Kiran says

    Amazing video, I loved the interaction between the photographer and her subject.

    Not even at a single moment , there was no negative comment or subject losing confidence in the photographer.

    Thanks for posting !!

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  40. Gary C says

    I'm looking to start doing portrait photography, as a hobby, and for the fun of it. This tutorial is very good in showing me some of the techniques being used. Her lighting is continuous, whereas I'll be using flash, but it shouldn't vary that much. I was, and am, more interested in her posing techniques. Those are what I truly want to learn.
    Thanks Lynda.com, and yes, I will be joining eventually.

  41. Peter Melia says

    This is a really great training video, I have been a photographer for 10 years and watch these training videos for new ideas, the techniques for the given scenario are the best I've ever seen…

    Many Thanks

  42. Tom Baverstock says

    Yes it does look awkward!

  43. twoheadedelvis says

    You need someone to click the shutter button for you as well? Her camera settings mean absolutely nothing to you unless you are shooting in the exact same place in the exact conditions. Learn proper exposure. Her camera means nothing to you, you will use yours. She mentioned her lens selection and why, but again, yours will be limited to a selection between your lenses, not hers. Learn the pros and cons of the various lenses and use them to your advantage.

  44. Becquei Starbukka says

    Unfortunately for me I'm the opposite and look to skinny

  45. braintrain5000 says

    Ok now pay her $500

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