If you’ve ever considered booking a portrait photography session, chances are you’ve got a few questions. Whether you’re a model updating your portfolio, someone needing professional headshots, or simply after a great photo session for whatever reason, knowing what to expect from your photographer can make all the difference.
As a professional portrait photographer based in Cardiff, South Wales, I specialise in capturing natural, candid moments that tell a story - no stiff poses or cookie-cutter studio setups here. I shoot mostly on location using natural light, which lets me create unique and authentic portraits that showcase personality and style.
This article dives into some of the most frequently asked questions about portrait photography. Whether you're considering a session with me or just exploring the world of portraits, read on for insights, tips, and all the information you need.
What Is Portrait Photography?
At its core, portrait photography captures the essence of a person - showcasing their personality, emotions, and unique traits. Unlike studio setups that focus on traditional poses and artificial lighting, I typically specialise in creating authentic, dynamic lifestyle-type portraits using natural light, outdoor locations, and beautiful blurry bokeh backgrounds.
Key types of portrait photography include:
Lifestyle Portraits: Candid moments that reflect everyday life.
Professional Headshots: Clean, polished shots for work or personal branding.
Model portfolio updates for aspiring or professional models.
Personal branding photos for entrepreneurs or influencers.
Family and couples’ portraits for meaningful keepsakes
Creative Portraits: Artistic and conceptual photos that push boundaries.
What Should I Wear for My Portrait Session?
The classic question! Clothing plays a big role in your portraits so it's certainly an important thing to consider well in advance.
Here’s my quick cheat sheet:
Stick to simplicity: Solid colours often work best, avoiding busy patterns or logos that can distract.
Stay true to your style: Confidence shines when you’re at your most comfortable.
Coordinate, don’t match: For group portraits, choose complementary colours rather than identical outfits.
Consider the setting: Outdoor shoot? Opt for tones that contrast subtly with the environment.
Layer it up: Jackets, scarves, or hats can add variety to your look.
Pro tip: Bring a couple of outfit options. A quick change can add depth to your gallery of shots.
How Should I Prepare for a Portrait Session?
Preparation can make or break a shoot - it will no doubt help ensure a smooth and successful session if you've put a little prep work in beforehand.
Here’s how to get ready:
Skincare: Stay hydrated and avoid harsh treatments the week before.
Rest: A good night’s sleep ensures you look refreshed.
Haircuts: Schedule your trim about a week before the session to avoid the "just cut" look.
Relax: Nervous? That’s totally normal! A good portrait photographer will guide you.
Practice Posing: Stand in front of a mirror to discover angles you love.
Bring Essentials: Lip balm, a comb, and blotting paper can come in handy for quick touch-ups.
Pro Tip: Think about how you’d like your photos to feel - joyful, contemplative, bold - and communicate that with your photographer.
What’s the Best Time of Day for Portrait Photography?
The golden hour - that magical time just after sunrise or before sunset - is a photographer’s dream. It casts soft, warm light that flatters every subject. For indoor shoots, natural light from large windows can also work wonders.
Either way, the great thing with portrait photography is that you can make it work at any time of the day - the natural daylight just tends to be more complimentary to you as a subject when the sun is lower in the sky (earlier or later in the day) or when it's softened and diffused by clouds (so any time on a cloudy day!).
What Are the Best Locations for Portrait Photography?
I love stepping outside the box with my portraits, so location plays a huge role. My photography style leans heavily on natural light and storytelling settings, creating unique images that reflect your personality.
For this reason, I find outdoor locations the best as they offer a variety of stunning, natural backdrops.
To decide:
Think about vibe: Urban chic? Forest serenity? Beachy vibes?
Consider lighting: Open spaces are great for even lighting; avoid crowded or overly shaded spots.
Personal significance: A location that means something to you (like your favourite park) adds an emotional layer to your photos.
Some of my favourite types of spots include:
Urban Settings: Inner cities or towns with vibrant architecture can add an edgy flair.
Parks & Gardens: Local parks, often with rivers or lakes, can provide lush greenery and serene surroundings.
Beaches: Any coastline, whether sandy or rocky, is perfect for golden hour magic.
Mountains: Ideal for blending portraiture with a natural great outdoors vibe - not to mention the scenic backdrops.
Forests: You can easily add a magical whimsical touch by shooting in a forest setting.
Marinas: Choosing a marina or port is great for bringing some luxury to a shoot.
What Should I Know About Posing?
Feeling awkward about posing? Don’t worry - it’s my job as a photographer to guide you.
But here are some general tips:
Relax Your Shoulders: Tension shows up in photos.
Engage with the Setting: Walk, lean, or interact naturally with your surroundings.
Hands Matter: Keep your hands relaxed or use props like a coffee cup or book to give them purpose.
Read: How to Pose Like a Pro
How Should I Choose a Portrait Photographer?
Picking the right portrait photographer in your location is crucial to getting results you’ll love.
Here’s what to look for:
Style:Â Review their portfolio to ensure their work resonates with your taste. My style leans toward natural, dreamy, candid moments captured in outdoor settings or creative locations.
Experience:Â Ensure the photographer has experience in the type of portraits you need.
Personality:Â Feeling comfortable is key to great photos. Decide whether you need someone with a relaxed, easy-going approach, or someone who's a lot more directive and controlling.
Location:Â For local sessions, choose a photographer familiar with your area to suggest the best settings.
Client reviews: Check testimonials or ask for references to get insight into the photographer’s professionalism and results.
How Do You Make Clients Feel Comfortable in Front of the Camera?
Feeling nervous? You’re not alone! Many people worry about looking awkward in photos.
Here’s how I help:
I start with a casual chat to ease any tension.
I guide you through poses but also encourage natural movement.
I use humour and conversation to keep things light-hearted and fun.
I show you previews during the shoot to build your confidence.
Pro Tip: Don't be afraid to let your models go off-script - some of my favourite shots are those that are taken while they're simply doing something of their own choosing.
What Happens During a Portrait Session?
Here’s a breakdown of how a typical portrait photo session flows:
Pre-session consultation: We’ll discuss your vision, location, outfits, and any specific shots you want.
On-location shoot: We’ll meet at a chosen spot, and I’ll guide you through poses and setups, although I generally like to go with the flow and make suggestions or tweak things along the way.
Post-session editing:Â After the shoot, I carefully retouch your photos to enhance their natural beauty while keeping them authentic.
Delivery: Your edited photos will usually be ready within a couple of weeks. You’ll receive high-resolution digital files, perfect for printing or online use.
How Many Photos Will I Receive?
This depends on the package you choose. For most sessions, I provide a mix of close-ups, mid-length, and full-body shots, carefully edited for quality - you can usually expect around 10-20 fully edited photos from a one hour portrait photoshoot.
With that said I rarely put a number on the amount of images you'll receive from a shoot because I don't like to hold any back - I simply give you all images that I deem usable in both colour and black and white versions. As you can imagine, each shoot and the number of usable images captured during it differs from one to the next.
For a more precise package in terms of what you receive, I'm always happy to agree a bespoke photoshoot that meets your requirements.
For disclosure, an image that I deem "usable" means an image that I'm happy with in its final edited form - eg. framing, sharpness, exposure, not a duplicate or near-duplicate, the subject etc.
What’s Your Editing Style?
My editing style is clean, natural, and timeless. I focus on enhancing the image without over-editing. Think glowing skin, vibrant colours, and true-to-life tones that highlight your personality. When it comes to portrait and general lifestyle photography, I tend to favour sharp subjects with dreamy, blurry bokeh backgrounds.
I'm still versatile with my approach, so if you have a specific editing style that you'd like me to follow as a guideline you're more than welcome to show me some examples so that I can let you know if it's something I feel I can achieve.
How Much Does a Portrait Session Cost?
Pricing varies significantly depending on a number of factors, including the type of session and package, the location, the photographer's experience etc.
As a rule of thumb, you can usually expect to pay between £200 - £400 for a one-to-two hour portrait photo session with an experienced professional photographer.
My portrait sessions are competitively priced, offering excellent value for high-quality results. I’m always transparent about costs upfront, and there are no hidden fees.
Typical pricing structures include:
Per Hour: Pay for the photographer’s time during the shoot.
Packages: Choose from options that include different numbers of edited images or prints.
Custom Quotes: For unique or extended sessions.
Remember, investing in quality photography means investing in memories that last a lifetime.
Why Should I Book a Portrait Session With You?
Great question!
Here’s why:
I prioritise authenticity and creativity.
My easy-going personality makes shoots enjoyable and stress-free.
I have extensive experience working with diverse clients, from amateur models to high-end professionals.
I’m passionate about delivering portraits that you’ll cherish forever.
How Does Natural Light Impact Portrait Photography?
I prefer working with natural light because of its versatility and beauty:
Golden Hour: The soft, warm and flattering light after sunrise or before sunset is ideal for portraits.
Open Shade: Provides even lighting without harsh shadows.
Overcast Days: Perfect for a moody, dramatic aesthetic.
Pro Tip: Sunrise and sunset offer you some of the best natural light - but for a short period of time! Get ready to start powering through all your ideas as soon as that light begins to hit.
What Happens After a Portrait Photoshoot?
Here’s a portrait photographer's typical post-shoot process:
Photo Selection: They'll carefully curate your best shots and get them ready for editing.
Editing: They'll refine your photos to ensure they look stunning but still natural.
Turnaround Time: Depending on the session type, edited images are usually delivered within 2–3 weeks.
Gallery Delivery: They'll provide an online gallery with downloadable images.
Additional Services: Need prints? They can often arrange the design and/or print of high-quality prints or photo albums.
Can You Give Me Tips to Improve My Portrait Photography?
If you’re an aspiring photographer, here’s how to level up your portraits:
Focus on Connection: Build rapport with your subject for genuine expressions.
Use Prime Lenses: A 50mm or 85mm lens creates beautiful, natural depth for portrait photos - while a prime 35mm lens can beautifully showcase your subject within their environment.
Experiment with Angles: Shoot from above, below, or side-on to add variety.
Master Natural Light: Understand how light interacts with your subject and surroundings.
Why Invest in Professional Portrait Photography?
A professional photographer doesn’t just take pictures; they craft memories.
Hiring a professional ensures:
High-quality images that stand the test of time.
An enjoyable, stress-free experience.
Photos that capture your best self authentically.
My Final Thoughts
Portrait photography is a collaboration between the photographer and the subject. As a professional photographer in Cardiff, I thrive on creating relaxed, fun sessions that showcase my clients’ unique personalities. Whether you’re looking for headshots, lifestyle portraits, or candid moments, I’m here to make the process seamless and enjoyable.
Have More Questions? Let’s Chat!
Still curious about portrait photography? I’d love to hear from you. Whether you’re ready to book or just need advice, I’m here to help.
