8 Strategies for Capturing Stunning Portraits: Insights from Cruise Ship Photographers

During my inaugural cruise, I was intrigued by the multitude of photographers and elaborate backdrops available as we journeyed to and from dinner. Families, couples, and even solo travelers were elegantly dressed, eagerly awaiting their moment to pose. It took me a few days to join in, but once I did, I was hooked. The Dinogo cruise ship photographers are masters of lighting and composition, adept at creating picture-perfect portraits that you'll cherish. Each morning, I looked forward to rushing to the photography area to see the stunning prints of myself, glowing like never before. How do they manage to capture such impressive, flattering images with a minimal setup and in just a few minutes? Naturally, we inquired, and we were fortunate to learn 8 of their secrets to implement at home!

From lighting techniques to composition and relaxation tips, continue reading for a list of suggestions that will inspire aspiring photographers to elevate their portrait-taking skills and achieve beautiful results.

1. Stay at ease.

When you approach photography with a relaxed demeanor, your subjects will pick up on your confidence and comfort, allowing them to feel at ease and resulting in more authentic captures.

2. Consider body positioning.

Guide your subject to lean their upper body toward the camera at a 45-degree angle and encourage them to keep their chin raised for an incredibly flattering and slimming pose.

3. Form a circular composition.

Encourage your subjects to lean their heads together and touch hands, creating a circle that results in a beautiful, warm composition, much like this stunning shot of Jaime and her sister.

4. Visualize the final photograph.

Have a clear image in your mind of how you want the final portrait to appear, including the subject, lighting, and background. This will help you work toward achieving that vision. Set up your composition, direct your subject’s pose, and adjust your lighting and camera settings to bring your concept to life.

5. Keep practicing.

It’s simple: the more you practice and discover what works for you, the more your skills will improve.

6. Use bright frontal lighting.

A strong, direct light illuminating the subject helps to eliminate shadows, dark circles, and wrinkles, creating a beautiful, radiant glow.

7. Continue learning.

Take a moment to review the photos you've captured, considering what you might like to improve and how you can achieve those changes in the future.

8. Enjoy the process.

If you find joy in photographing people, your enthusiasm will be infectious, making your subjects enjoy the experience as well. This positive energy will reflect in your work! Seriously, has anyone in history ever looked happier than these two goofballs? I think not.