Portrait Prompts for Photos That Actually Feel Like the Person

Give me 15 natural pose direction ideas for [portrait subject — individual, couple, family]. Each: specific action to request (not "stand there"), why it works, what to say to the subject in plain language, common mistakes. Focus on poses that feel engaged, not stiff.

Write a session-opening script that puts nervous subjects at ease. Include: greeting, normalization of nervousness, what to expect, permissions (movement, position changes), 2-3 warm-up poses/interactions, transitions. For first-time professional portraits.

Generate 10 couple poses for portrait session. Include: physical connection type (subtle touch, close embrace, playful movement), eye contact direction (each other, camera, apart), setting integration, what to say to direct, difficulty level (easy to advanced). Natural and romantic.

Generate 8 family poses including kids. Include: poses for 2-parent + 1-2 kids, 2-parent + 3-4 kids, multi-generational. Per pose: how to arrange, getting kids to cooperate, activities to capture candid moments, what to avoid. Age considerations 2-10.

Guide me to a natural light portrait session. Location: [describe]. Time: [describe]. Include: scouting the light (window direction, golden hour timing), subject positioning relative to light, fill strategy (reflector, wall bounce), avoiding harsh shadows, when to use vs avoid direct sun, backup if weather fails.

Explain a 3-light portrait studio setup. Include: key light (placement, power, modifier), fill light (or reflector), rim/hair light, background light (optional). Camera settings baseline. Common variations (Rembrandt, split, butterfly). Build from 1-light to 3-light explaining what each adds.

Write a location scouting brief for portrait shoot. Shoot purpose: [describe]. Include: light direction preference, backdrop options (walls, foliage, urban texture), background depth (separation from subject), crowd avoidance, time of day optimal, 3 backup options per location, accessibility considerations.

Build a camera settings cheat sheet for [portrait scenario — indoor natural light, outdoor golden hour, studio strobe, available light low-light]. Include: aperture, shutter speed, ISO starting points, white balance, focus mode, metering mode, common gotchas. For quick reference during shoots.

Create a pre-shoot questionnaire for portrait clients. Cover: goals for portraits (where they'll be used), visual preferences (show me 5 portraits you love), style preference (candid vs traditional), wardrobe plans, comfort areas, concerns/insecurities, location preferences, timeline expectations, family considerations if group.

Build a session timeline for [portrait type — individual, couple, family]. Duration: [hours]. Include: arrival/warm-up, location/setup transitions, pose variations, breaks for kids/energy management, backup shots, wrap-up. Account for real-world delays.

Write a post-shoot delivery timeline email. Include: thank you for session, timeline (culling → editing → delivery), preview images if applicable, full gallery date, gallery format (online proofing, print ordering, download), revision policy. Set expectations before they ask.

Script an in-person print sales consultation. Include: gallery reveal moment, favorite selection process, print vs digital conversation, product recommendations (albums, wall art sizes), package pricing logic, decision-making support (not pushy), next steps. For portrait photographers moving beyond digital-only delivery.

Design a portrait editing preset direction. Brand aesthetic: [describe]. Include: exposure baseline, skin tone handling (warm, neutral), shadow/highlight recovery, contrast, saturation per color channel, skin retouching level (light, standard, magazine), sharpening, noise reduction, grain addition. Consistent across 100+ images.

Create a portrait retouching workflow. Include: 1. Global adjustments (exposure, WB, contrast), 2. Skin retouching (blemishes, skin smoothing, avoiding plastic), 3. Eye enhancement (brightening, sharpening), 4. Hair/edge cleanup, 5. Color grading, 6. Final polish. Time budget per image. Ethical boundaries.

Design portrait session pricing. Niche: [family, seniors, branding, actor headshots, etc.]. Include: 3 package tiers, what's included (session length, locations, images, prints), pricing justification, add-ons (albums, extra time, makeup artist). Value-based, not hourly.