Portraits are an essential cornerstone in photography. And while they may appear simple enough, a well crafted portrait requires practice, practice and practice. It’s also a good idea to brush up on your knowledge on lighting and editing in order to fully capture the beauty of the people you photograph.

We’ve rounded up 4 free guides to help you navigate the initial trepidations to shooting portraits and a few key technical elements to get started.

Short Guide To Portrait Photography

This free guide is a great place to start. Kent DuFault walks you through the first considerations in portrait photography: lighting, focal length, focusing, framing, shutter speed, aperture, background, clothing or costume and props. Download here →

Self Portraiture

Even if you are the type of person who hates having their picture taken, there is something to taking self-portraits. It’s a great way to learn about taking portraits without involving another person which can also seem intimidating at first. This free guide walks you through the steps you need to take in order to achieve a stunning self-portrait. Download here →

Environmental Portraits

An environmental portrait is a portrait executed in the subject’s usual environment, such as in their home or workplace, and typically illuminates the subject’s life and surroundings. Kent analyzes a single image in order to walk you through all the steps necessary to achieve a successful portrait in this style. Download here →

Shooting Portraits with One Light

When starting out in photography, you slowly begin to build up your equipment. You may start out with a decent camera and then add a single light source. In this free guide you’ll learn about the considerations to take when shooting with one light. Download here →

Additional Reading

If you want to learn more about mastering portrait photography, check out Photzy’s guide on The Art of Portrait Photography. In this premium guide, The Art of Portrait Photography, you’ll learn more in-depth about the different types of portrait photography, what equipment you require and how to apply your knowledge when working a paid gig. You’ll also have insight into how to pose your subjects and how to choose the ideal location and background for them. Read more about this fantastic and informative guide here.