Portrait photography tips

[JJ!]

A friend has asked if I can take a few prom pics of her daughter.

Hopefully these will be outside in the garden.

Any tips for decent portraits? Never delved in to this area much!

lenses are 50mm, 16-85 and 70-300 and sb400 flash.

Need to get some nice shoulder/face shots and full length ones.

Any tips greatly appreciated when it comes to best f stop etc.

 

[Brazo]

The relationship between you and the 'model' is far more important than f stops.

The more relaxed she is the better results you will get, have you looked at poses and clean uncluttered backgrounds? If not these are very important. Try and find her best side not square onto camera, shoulders at 90 degrees try some smiling, some closed mouth shots, some sultry looks, think where to put the hands.

Think about lighting, off camera flash will work best if using natural light only a reflector even white card works wonders.