Learn how to make great portraits  and take your work from screen to print.

Portrait photography seems simple at first glance: one subject, one frame, one fraction of a second. But as any photographer knows, the leap from a decent likeness to a photograph that feels alive happens in the small, intentional choices made behind the lens. In our recent live event, Image Breakdown: Portraiture, Blurb’s creative ambassador Dan Milnor reviewed community-submitted portraits live, sharing his tips on the mindset and technical adjustments that can elevate any image.

“If you have any intention of getting into the professional space of photography, having the skills to make portraits is essential, because everybody needs portraits,” Dan stated.

Missed the session? Watch the full replay and explore Dan’s seven key portrait photography tips below. 

1. Portraits scale fast—use them to build a body of work

For photographers looking to grow their portfolios quickly, portraits offer a unique advantage. “One of the best things about portrait photography is that in a very short amount of time, you can amass an incredible body of work,” Dan explained during the session. Because you’re working with a single subject and a contained environment, it’s possible to produce a surprising number of strong images, even in a brief session.

Dan shared the story of one photographer who scheduled back-to-back portrait sittings over a single weekend and walked away with nearly fifty publishable images. This approach can work for anyone. 

Consider blocking off an afternoon to photograph a few friends or collaborators and challenge yourself to capture ten unique images per sitter. Change outfits, shift your location slightly, or experiment with angles to quickly create variety. Over time, these sessions can grow into a cohesive body of work ready for a printed book or gallery submission.

2. Connection beats perfection

Even the most technically perfect photograph can fall flat if your subject appears uncomfortable or detached. “Talking to people is the best,” Dan said. “When you walk up to someone and want to make a picture of them and you say, ‘Can I make your portrait?’ that sounds really different than ‘Can I take a picture?’”

Even more than the word choice you use, he suggests spending the first few minutes talking without your camera in hand. Ask questions, listen attentively, and create space for your subject to get comfortable and relax. Laughter and genuine conversation often translate into natural expressions and relaxed postures. These small human moments are what elevate a portrait from a mere likeness to a photograph that feels emotionally engaging.

3. Light tells the story

Lighting can make or break a portrait, and Dan returned to this point throughout the session. “Catch lights give humans life,” he noted. These small highlights in the eyes make your subject feel more present and alive. Without them, even the most carefully composed portrait can feel flat or lifeless.

He suggested starting with the light you already have: pivot your subject until that catch light pops into their eyes. When ambient light falls short, Dan often uses a small strobe or LED to add sparkle back into the scene without flattening it, or employs a subtle backlight to separate the subject and create a halo. Then quiet the background: darken any hot spots or slide your subject forward so nothing competes with their expression.

4. Keep backgrounds clean and intentional

It’s easy to lock onto your subject and forget what’s happening behind them, but stray highlights, clashing colors, or an off-kilter horizon can quietly steal attention. Throughout the session, Dan stressed a simple checklist: Scan the frame edges, decide if anything competes with the face, and fix it before you press the shutter. Sometimes that means taking one step left or right; other times it means walking your sitter a pace forward so the wall behind them falls out of focus.

He also encouraged pre-scouting whenever possible—finding a neutral wall, a patch of open shade, or a repeating pattern that adds mood without shouting for attention. If a bright object still creeps in, he’ll either crop it out later or darken it in post so the eye stays on the subject. The result is a portrait that feels timeless and portfolio-ready, because nothing in the background distracts from the story you worked so hard to capture.

5. Crop and edit with purpose

Cropping is a surgical tool, not a rescue mission. Dan’s mantra during the session was to trim distractions at the edges, burn down bright patches, and, when necessary, pull a frame entirely if it weakens the sequence. 

“Always look for pictures inside your pictures,” he urged, before demonstrating how a subtle in-camera crop or a decisive cut in the edit keeps the viewer’s eye where it belongs.

His broader editing advice is just as uncompromising: evaluate every frame for how it advances the narrative, maintain a consistent visual rhythm, and don’t be afraid to jettison an otherwise good shot if it breaks the flow. The result is a portfolio or a printed book where each image earns its spot, and the story feels intentional from cover to cover.

6. Shoot with gear that excites you

The best camera isn’t always the most expensive one—it’s the one you can’t wait to pick up. “If the iPhone is what gets you excited about photography, in the field, and to make portraits, use an iPhone,” Dan shared during the session. Passion for the process will take you farther than any lens upgrade ever could.

Instead of chasing every new release, aim for a setup that feels simple and intuitive. Dan often reaches for a lightweight body with a 50 mm prime, a “conversation lens” that frames portraits naturally without intimidating the sitter.

Your portrait photography starter kit, inspired by Dan’s tips:

• A camera (or phone) you’ll actually carry
• A 50 mm prime (or your own comfortable focal length)
• Small reflector or brim tweak for instant catch-lights
• Open shade or a plain wall to keep the frame clean
• A friend or assistant to keep the mood light

Whatever you choose, the key is to stay consistent. Familiarity with your tools means you can focus on connection and composition instead of fumbling with settings.

7. Design for print while you shoot

Dan encourages you to keep your final book in mind, but not at the expense of the moment. His rule: Make the strongest photo first, then take a quick extra frame that leaves breathing room for title text or page margins. Sometimes that means stepping back a pace or switching to a wider focal length—other times it’s tilting the camera to give a clean strip of negative space.

Capture a mix of wide establishing frames, mid-range interactions, and tight emotive close-ups, and worry about sequencing once you’re at the editing table. Approach every session this way and you’ll walk away with images that drop neatly into a polished, professional book.

From pixels to pages: Bring your portraits to life

Great portraits deserve more than a fleeting moment on a screen. Printing your work gives it permanence and allows you to see your progress in a new light. Whether it’s a zine, a portfolio book, or a small collection for friends and collaborators, holding your images in your hands is a reminder of how far you’ve come.

And when you’re ready to make the leap from digital to print, Blurb BookWright gives you the tools to design your project exactly the way you envisioned it.

Keep learning

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• Follow @BlurbBooks on Instagram and Facebook for future events.

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Dan Milnor is Blurb’s longtime creative ambassador—a documentary photographer, educator, and self-publishing expert who helps creators like you tell meaningful stories. Blurb is the self-publishing platform trusted by photographers, visual creators, and storytellers around the world. Create your free account today and bring your work to life in print.