The Essential Guide to Portrait Photography

Where Was This Book When I Was Starting Out?

I have a confession. I originally ordered this e-book to figure out how I might want to format my own e-book about photography. Then I received it and thought ‘well why bother now?’ Because every single thing that can be thought of and covered about the topic of portrait photography, HAS been thought of and covered in this jewel of perfection. This is a seriously good book covering all the basics of portrait photography. It is the kind of book I would have hunkered down with all those decades years ago and DEVOURED. Over and over. It is essentially a slice of the ‘best of’ ProBlogger’s digital photography school website.

I know I just said this was a book about the basics of portrait photography. However, it is in no way a ‘basic’ book. It is, in a word, beautiful. Let’s face it, if you’re the kind of person who reads this type of material, you’re a photography fanatic. You live, breathe and sometimes drool imagery, and The Essential Guide to Portrait Photography does not disappoint in this area. I have no idea what I was expecting, but it certainly wasn’t this sumptuous, visual feast of an e-book. Here is an example of one of the interior pages:

But this tome is not just another pretty face either. The information offered in this book is top notch and comprehensive. Just listing some of the chapter titles will give you an idea of the wide array of portrait photography topics covered:

20 Ways to Take Stunning Portraits
How to Bypass the Portrait Mode on Your Digital Camera and Get Great Portraits
4 Quick tips for Portraits
Photographing Children – Composition
Is Portrait Formatting Always Best for Portraits?
Add Interest and Movement into Your Shots with Wind
How to Photograph People When Traveling
Asking Permission to Photograph People
How to Take Environmental Portraits
What the Mona Lisa can Teach you About Taking Great Portraits
A Posing Technique From a Girl With a Pearl Earring
A Fresh Look at Depth of Field
Portrait Photography’s Power Posing Parts I & II
Where is Your Subject Looking and Why Does it Matter?
“Does My Butt Look Big in This?” – What Clothes to Wear in Portraits
11 Tips for Better Candid Photography
Self-Portrait Photography Tips
12 Tips for Taking Great Group Photos
Shooting Portraits Like a Pro on a Budget
13 Tips for Improving Outdoor Portraits
Introduction to Portrait Lighting

And if that wasn’t enough, there is a bonus interview section at the back of the book with 5 serious heavy hitters in the industry – David Duchemin, Neil Creek, Jack Hollingsworth, Kris Krug, Chase Jarvis and Bert Stephani. These busy and successful working pros sat down and gave some very interesting thoughts, ideas, tips and philosophies. Well worth the read.

PROS –

Covers a vast amount of information and presents it in an easy to read and understand format. The Essential Guide to Portrait Photography is a great book for beginners/intermediates and a really good ‘reminder’ for the advanced amateur or pro.