Portrait photography is more than just capturing a face. It’s about going beyond the surface and showing their authentic self. A good portrait reflects personality, emotion, and presence. When done right, a picture can empower, uplift, and even shift how someone sees themselves. A powerful portrait has the potential to boost confidence, heal insecurities, and celebrate identity.
In our recent Design Culture Learning Series, portrait photographer and Canon influencer, Sudha Chandani Khatri, shared her journey from a 13-year corporate career as a mechanical engineer to capturing the glamorous, confident sides of everyday women. Drawing from personal experiences and professional insights, she explained how posing, lighting, styling, and emotional connection all come together to create great portraits. In this blog, let’s explore the emotional and technical aspects of portrait photography, especially when working with everyday women who aren’t professional models.
The Heart Behind the Lens
The true value of a portrait lies not only in how it looks, but in how it makes the subject feel. A great portrait should leave someone feeling confident, seen, and admired, not because of perfect lighting or styling, but because it reflects something true about who they are. This begins with connection: understanding their insecurities, their strengths, and their story. When a photographer takes time to know the person in front of the camera, it. Emotional connection becomes just as important as camera settings or lighting techniques, because a subject who feels celebrated naturally carries a powerful presence.
Sudha emphasized that photography becomes transformative when it doesn’t aim to fix or flatter, but to highlight what’s already there, making the subject feel beautiful, empowered, and fully themselves.
Gear That Supports, Not Defines
While emotional connection leads, the right tools help bring that vision to life. A camera consists of two parts: the body and the lens. The speaker recommended that beginners invest more in quality lenses than in camera bodies, emphasizing that lenses have a greater impact on image quality. She also suggested choosing mirrorless cameras over DSLRs, as they allow for live previews and deliver more consistent results.
For those on a budget, a crop-sensor mirrorless camera offers better value than a full-frame DSLR. In terms of lenses, a 50mm f/1.8 is a great entry point — versatile, affordable, and excellent for portraits. More advanced options include the 85mm, 135mm, or 28-70mm lenses, depending on space and desired framing. Prime lenses are preferred for their ability to create soft background blur (bokeh) and sharper focus.
Mastering the Art of Posing
One of the most impactful elements of portrait photography is posing. Especially for everyday women, thoughtful posing can bring out their best features and help them feel more confident. The goal is often to look slimmer, taller, radiant, and elegant, all of which can be achieved with a few foundational techniques.
There are five key areas to focus on:
- Chin: Extend slightly forward and down to sharpen the jawline.
- Shoulders: Create asymmetry by raising one shoulder to avoid flat, straight lines.
- Hands: Keep them soft and natural, with gently curved fingers.
- Eyes: Add intensity with a slight squinch for a confident, connected look.
- Body Language: Embrace curves and use asymmetry to flatter any body type.
As Sudha explained, a useful posing technique is the “S-curve” — shifting weight to one leg, placing one foot forward, tilting the hips, and angling the shoulders. This creates a flattering asymmetry that adds shape, enhances femininity, and visually slims the body.
Lighting Techniques for Every Mood
Lighting defines both the mood and structure of a portrait. It’s not just about brightness — it’s about shadows and highlights that sculpt the face and tell a story.
Sudha demonstrated how, by using an imaginary clock around the subject, different light positions create different effects:
- Butterfly Lighting (6 o’clock): Light placed directly in front and slightly above the face. Creates even shadows beneath the nose, flattering for most faces.
- Loop Lighting (4–5 o’clock): Light shifted slightly to the side, forming a small loop shadow next to the nose.
- Rembrandt Lighting (3–4 o’clock): Creates a triangle of light under the eye on the shadow side — adds depth and drama.
- Short Light: Light hits the side turned away from the camera, slimming and adding dimension.
- Broad Light: Light hits the side facing the camera — makes faces appear wider, used selectively.
- Split Lighting (3 o’clock): Lights half the face, leaving the other half in shadow — ideal for dramatic or profile shots.
- Backlight (12 o’clock): Light behind the subject creates a glow or rim light around hair and shoulders, great for dreamy or silhouette shots.
She encourages experimenting with light placement to understand how shadows sculpt the face.
Dress to Be Seen, Not Distracted
Clothing and colour play a major role in how a portrait turns out. Busy prints or loose fabrics often backfire on camera, drawing attention away from the subject or adding unnecessary bulk. Instead, opt for:
- Solid, bold colours without patterns
- Fitted clothing in slimming fabrics like Lycra, chiffon, or georgette
- Monochrome or two-colour schemes for simplicity and focus
- Textured fabrics with self-designs to add visual interest without distraction
As the speaker pointed out, using the color wheel helps in selecting colors that complement each other and the background, creating a cohesive and visually appealing image.
Importance of pre-visualization
A well-executed portrait shoot begins long before the camera clicks, and it all starts with thoughtful visual planning. Mood boards play a crucial role in shaping the look, feel, and direction of the session. They typically include outfit ideas, hair and makeup references, color palettes, lighting preferences, and pose inspirations, all curated to create a cohesive vision.
Sudha highlighted that sharing the mood board with the subject and the creative team brings clarity and alignment, making the shoot more efficient and collaborative. It also helps manage expectations, especially when it comes to interpreting styles like smoky eyes or bold lips, which can vary widely from person to person.
At ARCH, we believe design develops through a combination of academic learning and real-world experience, guided by insights from industry professionals. Our annual Design Culture Learning Series (DCLS) features experts who share practical knowledge, creative thinking, and valuable techniques across different areas of design. From basic concepts to advanced practices, the series offers useful content for learners at all levels.
Explore the full session to learn more, and subscribe to stay updated on future DCLS sessions and other initiatives under ARCH’s Design Culture platform. Whether you’re just starting out or building on your skills, these resources offer valuable insights to enhance your design expertise, and your future design projects will thank you!