Chapter highlights include:

Chapter 1: Before you Begin
– Find out which accessories are most useful, and how you can create home-made versions of some of them to save cash.
– As well as the most well-known software from Adobe, read about lower cost and free alternatives that you can use for editing your portraits.

Chapter 2: Photography Basics
– Learn how to use aperture to get that professional-looking blurred background effect.
– Understand ISO and its link to exposure; plus, how adjusting this setting enables you to shoot in lower light levels without resorting to using flash or getting camera shake.

Chapter 3: Working with Light
– Understand why light plays such a crucial role in photography and learn the three key qualities of light that will have a dramatic affect on your portraiture.
– Find out how to use cloudy days and window-light for beautiful, naturally-lit portraits, with minimum kit and maximum impact!

Chapter 4: Finding Locations
– Ugly house? No photography studio nearby? No problem. Find out how you can take great portraits almost anywhere – even in front of a garage door!
– Find out the three key things that the best backgrounds provide in portraiture, and how you can use elements of the background to make your composition stronger.

Chapter 5: Babies
– Get to know the best time, location and even the temperature that you need for best chances of success when photographing newborns.
– For slightly older babies who are not yet able to support the weight of their own head, find out how you can create a set of images that look distinctively different.

Chapter 6: Toddlers
– Learn what questions to ask the parents before you even pick up your camera, to improve your chances of capturing and holding the toddler’s attention.
– Experiment with loads of top techniques to get even the most difficult toddler beaming!

Chapter 7: Children
– Find out how to break longer shoots down into mini shoots to get the best results, and why it pays to capture expressions other than cheesy grins.
– Try out loads of ideas for mini games that will get the children where you need them to be, and loving every second of it!

Chapter 8: Teens & Adults
– Learn how to start right, to gain teens’ and adults’ confidence and trust so they relax and – even better – enjoy themselves!
– Learn how to get your subject to pose in a way that looks natural and comfortable yet flattering.

Chapter 9: Couples
– Interaction is key! Try these ideas for getting your couple to interact – with each other and with you – for great expressions.
– Want to create a feeling of romance? We ll show you how it can be done, including our killer high chemistry pose that immediately creates an air of intimacy.

Chapter 10: Families
– One of the objectives of portrait photography is to ensure everyone s faces are close to each other – but families have people of all different heights! Find out how to remove those gaps and get people closer… and closer still!
– With a range of different ages to entertain, the pace and momentum that you set is key. Use these suggestions for gradually increasing the energy to keep everyone engaged throughout.

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