Whether you need a creative push to get you back into the zone or you just need supplemental photoshoot ideas for your photography projects, you will find value in this article. We’ve compiled some creative portrait photo ideas and added some photography tips to help you make a strong and lasting impression with your portrait photographs.

7 Portrait Photography Ideas for Your Photo Shoot

1. Black and White Photography Collage

Without a doubt, black and white portrait photography is one of the most popular types of portraiture. While at times, the lack of color can be dull and boring, but when used effectively it can create a new dimension where expressions, light, and stories are magnified.

For your next shoot, instead of framing a single black and white photo, it would be wonderful to take a series of pictures and make a collage.

2. Beauty Portrait Shots With Sparklers

If you’ve attended a wedding lately, you might have come across the use of sparklers sometime during the reception. We won’t be surprised if you do because sparklers have become a wedding staple over the years. But you don’t need to wait for your wedding reception to have fun and marvel at the effects of sparklers in your creative photography shoot.

However, if you are somewhat afraid or if you are just not into sparklers or anything that involves the use of fire, try using fairy lights, instead.

3. Landscape Photography or Environmental Portraits

Do you have a client who is a nature lover or an environmental advocate? Then, shooting for an environmental portrait would be a no-brainer. Talk with your client regarding the setting that is closest to his or her heart, or you can even shoot at different locations.

A great landscape portrait goes far beyond capturing breathtaking images. It should also tell a story, promote awareness, provoke positive reactions, and serve as an inspiration for others to heed the call of the environment.

4. Seasonal Family Portrait Pictures

The holidays are coming! By now, a lot of families and corporate teams have already made their photoshoot appointments for their Christmas card. If your schedule is not yet swamped, why not ask your clients if they’d be interested in taking their family portrait pictures in time for December?

5. Outdoor Light Photography

To get the best natural light during your outdoor shoot, try doing it during the “Golden Hour,” which takes place 2-3 hours right after sunrise or right before sunset. During this time, the light is low that it doesn’t cause contrasting shadows that could appear in your client’s face. And just like other types of portraitures, it’s important to have a story in mind that you want to tell in photographs.

6. Mirror Shots

Mirrors are not only helpful as you do your hair and makeup for your photoshoot, but they can also act as props or the secondary focus (next to you, the model) in the photograph. You can take your mirror shots or reflection shots to the next level by going outside and including the clouds in the reflection just like in the sample below.

7. Portrait Photos with Pets

When meeting with clients for a potential shoot, don’t hesitate to ask them for their interests so you can help them decide the final theme for their portrait pictures. While they would confess their love for their pets, and tell stories about them, sometimes it would slip in their minds to have a shoot with their fur babies. Hence, as a photographer, you can direct them to that direction.

But of course, a photo session with pets can be tricky and challenging. So, it’s best to prepare for the foreseeable and even unexpected scenarios. One helpful tip in taking pictures of pets is to consider the setting. Try choosing a location where the pet feels comfortable. It can be at the family’s garden, the park, or even inside the house.

Feel free to read this article, to find out more about the best techniques in taking portrait pictures with pets.

Bonus Photography Tips

1. Focus on the Eyes

The eyes are windows to the soul and are essential in giving the desired emotion and depth to the portrait. Moreover, aside from being the most critical aspect of a good portrait, the eyes are also the most striking part of the face that you can’t afford to set aside.

2. Always Shoot in RAW

Most cameras nowadays let you choose the format for the picture in the camera settings. You can choose between JPEG and RAW. Shooting in RAW gives you more flexibility when it’s time to edit the pictures, not to mention that it also allows you to make several changes into your original file without compromising the quality of the images.

3. Help With Portrait Photography Poses

One of the time-consuming problems when taking pictures of clients without a professional modeling background is the inability to transition from one pose to another seamlessly. As a photographer, you can help the client by suggesting the looks and poses that would work best in meeting the theme and goals of the shoot.

7 Creative Portrait Photography Ideas for Your Next Shoot